Primary Care

What can exercise do for me?

• Helps with appetite control.

• Helps to burn calories, which can assist in the reduction of body fat.

• Exercise can reduce stress, anxiety, and improve emotional well-being.

• Exercise can help in registering blood sugar and increase energy levels.

Your specialized exercise prescription

• Find an activity that you can do at least three times per week. As you become more fit, increase to 5 times per week.

• Try interval training—exercise in shorter burst for multiple times. For example, if your goal is to walk for 30 minutes, try walking for several minutes with a rest then walk again, resting as needed until you have completed 30 minutes.

• Wear comfortable clothing.

• Add strength training. Muscles burn more calories at rest than fat. The more muscle the greater the calorie expenditure.

• Always stretch muscles that you have worked.

• Avoid high impact exercises and movements they can stress joints.

• Use how you feel, "Perceived Exertion," rather than heart rate when performing aerobic activities.

• Always cool down after exertion. Never stop abruptly as blood can pool in feet and legs causing you to feel dizzy or faint.

Principles for Success

• Never compare yourself to others.

• Best to set several small goals to reach your long-term goal.

• Set a scheduled time to exercise.

• Find an exercise buddy, or someone to share you successes with. Consider joining a class.

• Remember, as you become stronger and build muscles, your weight may not change. Use how your clothes feel as an indication of fat loss.