Find a way to exercise as little as an hour and a half a week, and you'll build a stronger, longer-lasting heart, not to mention improve your appearance, appetite, stress level and libido.
Exercise more and you may actually add time to your life. "Three hours of life can be gained for every hour spent exercising," says Walter Bortz, M.D., author of Dare to Be 100 (Simon & Schuster, 1996) and ThirdAge's 99 Steps to 100. His advice: "Make time for exercise. Your life -- and its quality -- depends upon it."
Even a moderate amount of physical activity can cut your heart disease risk in half, says the National Institutes of Health. You'll benefit most from aerobic activities that strengthen your heart and lungs -- activities such as brisk walking, jogging, cycling and stair climbing. Any regular physical activity, however -- even mild to moderate exercise -- can help reduce your risk of heart disease.
Get started with these tips:
Learn the how-to's: Take this fun quiz to test your exercise smarts.
Visit our personal trainer: ThirdAge fitness expert Chad Tackett shows you how to get From Zero to Fit in 13 Steps.
Design your workout: Use the Workout Wizard to find exercises or activities that are right for you.
Start easy: A beginner's walking program is low-impact, fits flexibly into most schedules and involves minimal financial investment.
Be inventive: Look for ways to squeeze fitness into your everyday life. Instead of having that heart-to-heart with your partner while sitting on the living room couch, take a walk around the neighborhood.
Or incorporate exercise into your commute: If possible, walk to work. Instead of driving to the train or bus station, ride your bike. If you're new to bicycle commuting, get tips on how to do it safely.
