From the info in my last post you should know your family’s health history to be aware of medical conditions you are at risk for developing simply by being who you are.

Another way to keep yourself fit is to make sure that you find ways to make fitness enjoyable. you are less likely to stay committed to an activity you disllike.

Not everybody loves to exercise, and if this is the case for you, try to figure out exactly what it is about exercise that you dislike.

There are so many ways to be active and exercise, the key is finding one that gives you a sense of pleasure and fullfilment. Here are some of my tips to finding a form of exercise you enjoy.

1. Exercise with your children. I know when I am playing outside with my son, I get the best feeling when he is smiling and laughing. He is 3 years old and let me tell you I get a lot of exercise chasing after balls and him.
2. Exercise with a friend. It helps to pair exercise with something you already enjoy, like spending time with friends. This also helps because you have someone else to help motivate you.
3. Try different activities. Ask those you know who are already active and find out what they like to do. There’s always a chance you will like it as well.
4. vary your routine. I always change up my routine every 2 weeks to prevent boredom. You can change your workout as often as you like. Play around with doing different activities on different days.
5. Always progress slowly. Too often people jump into exercise and don’t give their bodies enough time to gradually adjust. This can lead to injury or extreme soreness that will deter you from doing the same activity again.

Try something, everything, whatever it takes to make exercising fun. If it’s fun and enjoyable, you are more likely to stick with it.

The Fit Nation Checklist is a list compiled by Dr. Sanjay Gupta, medical correspondent for CNN.  On his Fit nation website he has posted the following list that provides great tips on how to get and stay fit.  I will look at each component separately and provide my own take on how to utilize the list.

FIT NATION CHECKLIST

1. Learn your family health history
2. Make fitness fun
3. Get at least 30-minutes of exercise daily
4. Drink water
5. Be a role model for children
6. Take the stairs
7. Be consistent
8. Do the math
9. Eat a healthy breakfast
10. Involve the whole family

1. Learn your family health history.

  You probably already know if your parents have any medical conditions, but take a closer look at the conditions and find out how exercise can decrease your risk for developing the same conditions.  Exercise does not have to be viewed as a chore. 

Think of your commitment to exercise as an investment in your life, or better yet, your quality of life.

The average life expectancy for Americans is 77.6 years, a record high according to the latest statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The longer we live the more likely we are to experience illnesses and physiological complications.  Just like a motor vehicle, the longer you have it, the more problems will arise do to normal wear and tear.  Our bodies aren’t built to last forever, but the better we take care of our bodies, just like your car, the more good or problem free years we can get out of it. 

By knowing what hereditary factors may influence your health, you can view exercise and fitness as a way to possibly, delay or avoid “family-related” health problems.