Moderate Physical Activity the Best Preventative Medicine

Woman Shares Inspiring Video of 100-Day Workout Challenge

Recently, LaKeisha Shurn of Berkeley, CA shared an inspiring video montage of her journey through a 100-day workout challenge.  LaKeisha, age 32, described herself as having low self-esteem and suffering from depression, but wanting to change that through an exercise regimen.  Although Shurn’s weight loss wasn’t a “shocking” change after the 100 days, she still lost 18 pounds and made it “out of the 300-pound club” as she says in the video.  What is most telling about her video chronicle was her new found self-esteem.  LaKeisha decided to embark upon the challenge as part of the #giveit100 challenge, which asks individuals to practice something for 100 days.  You can watch the video below.

Exercise the Best Preventative Medicine, Doctors Say

Although most people love to see dramatic and shocking before and after photos of someone who embarked on a weight loss journey, LaKeisha’s story emphasizes an important point: that exercise is crucial, and not just to weight loss.  Doctors tout the benefits of regular exercise because of its ability to improve mood, reduce the risk of early death, Type 2 diabetes, stroke, and many other conditions.  In addition, exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of early death for heart attack patients and even reduce the pain that breast cancer patients experience.

Easy Ways to Step Into an Exercise Routine

If you’re like many people, you may have a New Year’s resolution that includes weight loss through exercise, along with nutritional changes.  However, many people start out with goals that are too big and they quickly lose momentum to continue their healthy habits.  You can start with an attainable goal; exercise does not mean you need to push yourself to your limit.  You can build your endurance and strength through lower-impact exercises like walking, swimming, playing golf, or even cleaning the house.  The point is to get moving for at least 30 minutes per day, five days per week.  If you can’t do that yet, don’t worry; even a few minutes of physical activity per day are better than none at all.  The key is the commitment to moderate physical activity each day until exercise becomes a habit.  2014 can be your year!