healthy lifestyle

  * According to Advance Data 255, the average daily intake of fat grams for the period
  1988-91, totaled 96 grams for males and 67 for females.
 
 * It is recommended that the number of fat grams not exceed 25 grams of fat per
  day.

Physical Activity:

  * People who are usually inactive can improve their health and well-being by
  becoming even moderately active on a regular basis.
 
* Physical activity need not be strenuous to achieve health benefits.

  * Greater health benefits can be achieved by increasing the amount (duration,
  frequency, or intensity) of physical activity.

Benefits of Regular Physical Activity:

Source of the following information: Centers for Disease Control,
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.

Regular physical activity that is performed on most days of the week reduces the risk of developing or dying from some of the leading causes of illness and death in the United States. Regular physical activity improves health in the following ways:

  * Reduces the risk of dying prematurely.
  * Reduces the risk of dying from heart disease.
  * Reduces the risk of developing diabetes.
  * Reduces the risk of developing high blood pressure.
  * Helps reduce blood pressure in people who already have high blood pressure.
  * Helps control weight.
  * Helps build and maintain healthy bones, muscles, and joints.
  * Helps older adults become stronger and better able to move about without falling.

Examples of Moderate Amounts of Activity:

  Washing and waxing a car for 45-60 minutes
  Playing volleyball for 45 minutes
  Playing touch football for 30-45 minutes
  Gardening for 30-45 minutes
  Walking 1 3/4 miles in 35 minutes (or 20 minutes per mile)
  Basketball (shooting baskets) for 30 minutes
  Playing a Basketball game for 15-20 minutes
  Bicycling 5 miles in 30 minutes
  Pushing a stroller 1 mile in 30 minutes
  Water aerobics for 30 minutes
  Swimming laps for 20 minutes
  Jumping rope for 15 minutes
  Stairwalking for 15 minutes

NOTE: To avoid soreness and injury, individuals contemplating an increase in physical activity should start out slowly and gradually build up to the desire amount to give the body time to adjust. Please consult a physician before beginning a new program of physical activity.