Home HealthTopics Health Centers Reference Library - ADAM Search NetWellnessSearch   Advanced

Exercise and Fitness

Exercise is a Health Issue

Exercise is a health issue. Many of us don't see it in this way and put other priorities ahead of it on our "list of things to do." We don't take the time or don't feel we have the money to begin a fitness program. Other reasons for not exercising include difficulty finding childcare or reliable transportation.

However, exercising improves our health and helps us feel better about ourselves.

Exercise can help us:

Myths and Misconceptions about Exercise

If you are thin, you're fit.

Being thin is no indication of how efficient your heart, lungs and muscles are. Many thin people actually have more than the recommended percentage of body fat. You've got to exercise!

Sit-ups get rid of stomach fat.

"Spot reducing" is a myth. Fat is reduced proportionally throughout the body.

Sweat loss means weight loss.

You do lose weight temporarily when you sweat, but this is mostly water loss, not fat loss, and is regained as you quench your thirst.

Barriers to Lifestyle Change
(Adobe PDF Worksheet -- requires the Adobe Acrobat Reader
Text Worksheet)
Before you join a church exercise group, walk around the block, visit the local mall, jump on a treadmill, or pick up a dumbbell you may want to ask yourself the following 8 questions.

  1. What do you want to do and why?
  2. What are you ready to do?
  3. What barriers might keep you from attaining your goal(s)?
  4. How confident are you that you can overcome the barriers you mentioned in #3. What can you do to overcome them?
  5. Do you need support from others to exercise? If yes, how will you get that support?
  6. What kind of exercise makes you feel good?
  7. How can you make exercising an optimal experience every time?
  8. What can you do to make your exercise more enjoyable?

By setting clear goals you can change your exercise behavior and improve the quality of your life!

Click here for some Common-Sense Precautions for New Exercisers.

For more information:

Go to the Exercise and Fitness health topic, where you can:

Last Reviewed: Mar 17, 2005

University of Cincinnati Carolyn Nickol, RD, MEd
Director
University Fitness Center
University of Cincinnati
Carolyn Nickol, RD, MEd

 
University of Cincinnati Rachael Dotson, BS
Program Manager
Certified Johnny G Spinning Instructor
University Fitness Center
University of Cincinnati
Rachael Dotson, BS

 
University of Cincinnati David Carroll
Fitness Instructor
University Fitness Center
University of Cincinnati
David Carroll

 
University of Cincinnati Patricia A. Woellert, MSW, MEd
Program Manager
University Fitness Center
University of Cincinnati
Patricia A. Woellert, MSW, MEd

 
University of Cincinnati Jayme Johnson, MS
Program Manager
University Fitness Center
University of Cincinnati
Jayme Johnson, MS