Whether you're standing in a line at the grocery store, watching T.V., surfing on the Internet, or just flipping through your mail,...you're bombarded with advertisements, articles, and information on "Health and Fitness". Add to that the fact that there is practically a Fitness Center on every corner and you'd think our generation would be the picture of health and fitness.

But that's not the case according to statistics. (if you really need the statistics to SEE that.

* Currently more than 60% of American adults are not regularly active, and 25% of the adult population is not active at all.

In the 'Old Days' when we use to walk '5' miles to school (or was it 20?) it wasn't "exercise" it was 'Transportation'.

As you walked out the door to go to school, the store, or a friends house a mile away, there was no pedometer attached to your waist calculating the number of steps. There was no plotting or planning how to get in 20 minutes of physical activity in daily. Walking, running, taking your bike from one place to the next was as natural as breathing.

As a kid when you were 'bored' and had nothing to do, what were you told? "Go outside and play!"

Nowadays, Physical activity is labeled: "EXERCISE". It's no longer something that happens naturally in the course of a day, it's a planned event requiring the right work-out clothes, the right shoes with the right arches, the right accessories, a mapped out course accompanied by goals and objectives. A person gets tired just 'contemplating' it!

We have taken the FUN and SPONTANEITY out of physical activity. GETTING IN 20-30 minutes of 'exercise' a day is considered a chore - and like all chores, we AVOID it.

The 21st Century Blessing and Curse

We can chalk up 'longer' AND 'shorter' lifespans to Technology.

While technology has greatly increased lifespans by reducing the mortality rate of prominent illnesses, it has also significantly contributed to the increase in inactivity and stress that causes the very same illnesses.

Every moment of the day your mind can now be preoccupied and your time consumed without ever having to step one foot outside your door. You don't have to leave home for entertainment, for shopping, for exercise, for conversation, for information, or for food. Inactivity and Stress are Killers.

According to the National Center for Health and Statistics, lack of physical activity contributes to an estimated 300,000 preventable deaths annually in the United States, from diseases such as heart disease, stroke, obesity-related illness and diabetes.

Your Body In Motion,
Is The "SECRET POTION",
To A Longer And Happier Life

Don't think: "I HAVE to GET IN 20-30 minutes today" - You don't HAVE to do anything that you don't want to, and you know it. Besides, 'saying it' isn't the same as 'doing it'.

Don't think about Gyms, Workouts, and Aerobic routines. Don't concern yourself with just the right workout clothes, the perfect shoes or the perfect body.

"EXERCISING" OUT - "FLEXIBILITY AND INDEPENDENCE" IN.

If you're looking at your future and planning for more than the color of Hoover Round chair you want, MOVING your body is important for flexibility and future independence.

So - Instead of thinking EXERCISE,..think about how you'll like being at the mercy of whomever ends up taking care of you in the future. Moving your body NOW will help you maintain your independence as you get older, and improve your present quality of life.

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Here's some SIMPLE, EASY, NON-INVASIVE WAYS to incorporate MOVING YOUR BODY into your every day life.

1. When you go shopping - instead of creating a 'near miss' trying to beat someone to the closest parking spot, 'intentionally' park far enough away to create a nice walk for yourself. (The added benefit is that you will save your vehicle some *dings* and scratches by people who MAKE their vehicle fit in order to park 2 spaces closer to the door!)

2. When going to a building where the option of 'elevator' and 'stairs' are available,...op for the stairs. Look - You don't have to take them all the way up! (unless of course there is just 2 floors) but walk at least "1 flight" of stairs, just for the sake of 'doing it'! Maybe add one more if you can still breathe after the first one!

3. Next time you need a gallon of milk or 5th of vodka and the store is in walking distance, and it is a safe area to walk, do it. Not for the sake of "Getting In" some exercise, but for the sake of "Getting Out",.. giving yourself some down time. Most people find once they are outside they focus on the surroundings nature,..so a 20 - 40 minute walk can end up being a real stress reliever. (PLUS: with the cost of gas, is it really a bad idea?)

*we will be ADDING to this list all the time,..Send us YOUR ideas! Go to our CONTACT US PAGE and email us :-)