(Taken from AEasy Ways to Stay Fit for Life@, Reader=s Digest, December 1996.

Submitted by Dave Walker

1. You can improve your fitness level through moderate, everyday physical activity. According to the Surgeon General=s report, fitness is Athe ability to carry out daily tasks with vigor and alertness, without undue fatigue and with ample energy.@ By performing regular, moderate physical activity, almost anyone can achieve this level of fitness. It is true that more vigorous activity optimizes fitness, but it is not necessary to achieve positive results in sedentary lifestyles.

2. Moderate physical activity brings important health benefits. According to the Surgeon General, widespread inactivity contributes to Apremature death and unnecessary illness@ for millions of Americans each year. Moderate exercise can help prevent cardiovascular disease, colon cancer, adult-onset diabetes, osteoporosis, depression and anxiety.

3. It=s never too late to start becoming physically active. Examples of both young and old are given in the article.

The Surgeon General noted, AThe challenge facing us is motivating all Americans toward a level of physical activity that can benefit their health and well-being.