Dispelling Myths About Movement
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Dispelling Myths About Movement

10 Mins read
cigna-teamAuthorCigna Team

Despite the long list of benefits from leading a more active lifestyle, from better mental health to living longer, city people are exercising less these days.1

Here are some of the biggest myths surrounding physical activity and how you can break through them.

Myth 1: It's Too Expensive

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Getting active does not have to cost you a fortune.

  • Walking is probably the best place to start because you can do it almost anywhere, at any time, and at any age. Once you begin to get fitter, you could also try jogging or skipping.
  • All you need for these activities is a good pair of sneakers. Research shows that less expensive running shoes cushion your feet just as well.2
  • You could check online or in your local paper for affordable activities in your area. Look for walking groups, dance classes, or sessions at a community swimming pool.
  • It is easy to do strength-training exercises at home too. Try doing some squats, push ups, and lunges to strengthen your bones and muscles.
  • For extra motivation, play some heart-pumping music. If you are struggling for ideas, try an exercise video or DVD.

Myth 2: Not Enough Hours In The Day

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  • Making workouts a part of your daily routine is an easy way to reach the recommended level of at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.

  • Take some time to think about your average week and identify times when you could do some physical activity. Try walk at a brisk pace for 10 minutes, three times a day, or walk for 20 minutes in the morning and another 10 minutes in the evening. It adds up to 30 minutes of exercise!

  • If you often find yourself watching TV to relax in the evenings, try some jumping jacks and sit-ups while you watch your favorite show.

How to do jumping jacks:

  1. Stand straight, both arms rested downward at the sides

  2. Jump up, swing your legs outward, swing your arms up touching over your head (clapping or not is up to you)

  3. Return to the position with the feet together and the arms at the sides

Myth 3: Physical Activity Doesn't Matter As You Age

Physical activity is important at every stage of life.

  • Being active from an early age helps people to manage their weight and decreases their chance of developing heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis and some cancers.

  • Being active as an older adult is just as important for maintaining physical and mental health, and can help ease and treat conditions that are common in old age.

  • Physical activity also provides great opportunities to meet new people and socialize with people of all ages.

Guidelines for people 65 years of age and older are similar to those for younger adults:

  • Encouraging a mix of aerobic exercise (that gets the heart beating faster) and strength-training exercises

  • Strength training can help to lessen the loss of muscle and bone tissue that occurs with aging.3

  • If you are in the later stages of life and want to get more active, talk to a health professional before you get started and create an activity plan that works for you.

Myth 4: Physical Activity Is Boring

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Try different activities and see which you enjoy most.

  • Mixing up the types of activities you do is a great way of keeping motivated and works all of the different muscle groups in your body.
  • Get your friends and family involved and make physical activity a social event

Sources

  1. Americans Exercising Less in 2013. 29 July 2013.
  2. Do you get value for money when you buy an expensive pair of running shoes? Clinghan RT, Arnold GP, Drew TS, et al.
  3. Start active, stay active: a report on physical activity from the four home countries' Chief Medical Officers. Department of Health. 11 July 2011.

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