Running and Walking Your Way to Health and Well Being

You can achieve good health and well being for the rest of your life. I have followed a regular exercise routine and a sensible diet for over 40 years. Has the effort been worthwhile? Absolutely! I enjoy good health, mobility and body strength, which have always been my goals. A regular routine of aerobic exercises, running or walking, coupled with yoga and/or stretching will make you feel good and provide the cardio- vascular, muscular and skeletal needs of your body. But you do have to get started.

The key to starting and maintaining an exercise programme is not to start too hard or expect too much. Start walking for 10 or 15 minutes 3 or 4 days a week. Do this for two or three weeks or however long it takes for you body to get used to the new activity. This will vary according to your level of fitness or the amount of extra weight your body is carrying. Then take it up to 20 minutes and then 30.

As your fitness level increases you can start to jog for a few minutes then walk, then jog, Eventually you may be jogging instead of walking. However if you never jog, but walk at a brisk pace for about 30 minutes a time, several times a week, you will achieve similar results.

Set achievable targets. My basic target was to exercise at least three days a week for 30 plus minutes but this has expanded to 4 or 5 days and usually goes for about 45 minutes. . My routine now is about 30 minutes of aerobics, and then about 15 minutes of stretching and yoga exercises. I use light hand weights to provide some resistance to maintain strength in my arms and shoulders. I also exercise with 6-pound (2.72 kilos) weights a couple of times a week. My routine has evolved over many years and suits me. I want to maintain my health, mobility and strength, particularly as I get older. You will develop your own routine to help you achieve your goals.

You will have setbacks, particularly in the beginning, but do not let this deter you. You may have trouble finding the right time or the right place. You will forget it or put it off and feel guilty. That does not matter. Simply do it the next day or the day after but do it. Soon your mind set will change. You will think in terms of finding the time and place. It will become part of your life and you will want to make the effort, particularly when you start to feel the benefits - higher self esteem, more mobility, more energy, less stress.

William Burnell has maintained a regime of regular exercise and good eating habits for over 40 years. This has helped him to enjoy good health, an active lifestyle and a positive mental attitude.