Fit For Life

Exercise is for everyone. Whether you are young or old, male or female, in good health or suffering from a chronic medical problem, your health would benefit from some form of regular exercise.

Life expectancy is significantly higher for people who are classified as being of medium fitness than for those who are unfit. According to past research, it was shown that the death rate for unfit people was more than double the figure for people of medium fitness.

Many people think they are fit when they are not. Just because you are rarely ill, does not necessarily mean that you are in good shape physically. Fitness is simply the ability to cope with the physical workload of everyday activities, while still having energy in reserve to meet any sudden unexpected demands.

The only way to stay fit is to exercise vigorously, at least three times a week. Do you know that regular exercise aids muscle efficiency by causing the small blood vessels which supply oxygen to the muscles to multiply? Exercise also increases the size and number of mitochondria within the muscle cells. The mitochondria use this extra oxygen to produce more energy.

Exercise will make your heart and lungs more efficient and your muscles stronger, as well as improving your figure and posture and enhancing your sense of well-being. You will also feel more relaxed, sleep better, and be able to deal more effectively with day-to-day stresses. By continuing to stay active throughout your life, you are likely to live longer and stay in good health. The habit of exercising regularly will keep you fit for life.


Parents must take some of the responsibility for making sure their children take enough exercise. If children discover the pleasures of exercise when they are young, they are likely to maintain this healthy habit for the rest of their lives.