Physical Activity for Teens
Overview
This brochure will be informing you of the importance of staying physically active, and the benefits that come with that. It will also tell you how active you should be, and give real world examples of how you could achieve the level of fitness you should be at.
Why should I be physically active?
Although you may say you don't have time for exercise, it is very important to do just that. Studies show that those who maintain regular physical activity have lower levels of stress. Studies also show that if you exercise regularly, you are more likely to maintain a healthy weight, and you prevent extra weight gain. Not only does it make you less stressed, and help you maintain a healthy weight, but it also decreases your chances of getting diseases. Some of these diseases include high blood pressure, stroke, type 2 diabetes, colon cancer, and osteoperosis.
Okay so I need to be physically active... but how?
Studies suggest teens should exercise at least 60 minutes every day. But it is very difficult to jump right in and do that. No one expects you to suddenly become an amazing athlete while you're just getting started. The best way to start, is to ease into it. Physical exercise is not easy, but the more you do it, the easier it will become. For Example, while you're just getting started a good start would be biking, or doing yard work or things around the house. As you become more accustomed to those things you can try doing a more vigorous exercise such as jogging a half mile. At first, that might seem quite difficult, but as you continuously jog more it will become easier. From there you could try running further, or try timing yourself and run faster. There are so many options you could try to be more physically active. Don't limit yourself to what this brochure says, try something else if you would like! These are just some of the many options that you could try.
But that's not all!
Everyone wishes they had big, strong muscles right? Well, being physically active helps you get those too! As you become more accustomed to being physically active, you could try something called Strength Training. Strength Training is a resistance exercise that increases the strength and endurance in your muscles, and also helps your bones too! Strength training could be lifting free weights, going to a local gym and using free weight machines, or using resistance bands. These exercises tone your muscles and make your body look much stronger than they used to.
Works Cited
Appendix 1. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans." Appendix 1. Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2016.
Website
"Be Physically Active." National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Feb. 2016.
"Health Facts." : Be Physically Active. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2016.
Website
"Just Keep Running." Rise and Exercise. N.p., 16 July 2012. Web. 9 Feb. 2016.