Health Benefits Of Physical Activity And Exercise With Stacy Houser Of Temple Challenge

My guest on today's program is Stacy Houser, founder of Temple Challenge.  When beginning Temple Challenge in 2014, she had one goal in mind and that was to make all communities healthier.  Stacy uses her combination of education, experience, and passion to inspire and encourage entire communities to be more physically active tipping that teeter totter towards health and wellness.  She emphasizes three things: 1) God, 2) Love, 3) Fitness.

What do you think of when you hear someone say "exercise?"

Many people would think of someone running on a treadmill, or exercising on an elliptical, lifting weights and so on.  A lot of times we don't think hiking in the woods or mountains is exercise.  However, all the activities mentioned earlier can be exercise, and both are good for your health.  The point is there are many different ways to exercise.  So if going to the gym is not for you, there are many other ways you can be active and improve your health.  One important part in designing your own fitness program is to find out what works best for you.

The importance of regular physical activity in promoting good health and wellness is emphasized in the 1996 Surgeon General's report on physical activity.  This report concludes that lack of physical activity is a major public health problem in the United States and that all Americans can improve their health by engaging in as little as 30 minutes of light to moderate intensity physical activity most days of the week.  The Surgeon General's report recognizes numerous health benefits of physical activity and exercise:  Improved Psychologically Well-Being; Increased Longevity; Maintenance of Working Capacity During Aging; Increased Bone Mass; Reduced Risk of Diabetes; Reduced Risk of Heart Disease.  It is important to keep in mind that different levels of physical activity or exercise are needed for different health benefits.

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