The Caymanian Compass poll asking people how many times they exercise a week was surprising and upsetting.
We picked the question because it was timely; it’s a new year and people have made resolutions to get physically fit this year.
We were happy to learn that 31 per cent of our online readers exercise four or more times a week.
But taking the joy out of that newly learned knowledge was that 28.5 per cent of our poll takers don’t exercise at all.
The rest of the respondents exercised one day a week (11 per cent), twice a week (7 per cent) and three times a week (22.5 per cent).
We can assume that those people who exercise four or more times a week have been doing it a while. Such action takes discipline.
And that’s just what we all need to get physically fit, a little discipline.
The benefits of exercise are obvious when we begin to lose weight, tone our muscles and improve our posture.
But there are other benefits that can’t be seen.
Firstly, there is the benefit of improved health. There are lots of unhealthy people here in the Cayman Islands. Those of us who are native know all about the ravages of high blood pressure and diabetes in our families.
Exercise can help reduce blood pressure and the risk of diabetes.
It can also increase the efficiency of the heart and lungs, reduce cholesterol levels, increase muscle strength and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Exercise can also improve our sense of well-being give us more energy, better sleep, an improved ability to cope with stress and an increase in our mental acuity.
The benefits of exercise even spill into our social lives by improving our self image, increasing our opportunities to make new friends and offering more opportunities to share an activity with friends or family members.
Getting moving is a challenge because today physical activity is less a part of our daily lives.
There are fewer jobs that require physical exertion.
We’ve become a mechanically mobile society, relying on machines rather than muscle to get around.
In addition, we’ve become observers with more people (including children) spending their leisure time pursuing just that – leisure.
Consequently, statistics show that obesity and the problems that come with it (high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, etc.) are on the rise.
But statistics also show that preventive medicine pays off, so don’t wait until your doctor gives you an ultimatum.
Take the initiative to get active now.
Getting active doesn’t mean you have to join a gym or buy expensive exercise equipment.
Start by walking or pull that old bicycle out of the shed and ride it.
For those who can’t leave the television off, turn to one of a plethora of exercise programmes that are offered for free and follow along with the instructor.
Get up and get active. It’s never too late to start an exercise regime. Make it a new lifestyle.
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