Fitness level vs. body weight

In the quest for a longer life, a new study suggests fit is where it is at - even if you are fat. According to recent findings in the "Journal of the American Medical Association," it was noted that overweight and obese seniors who were physically fit outlived their contemporaries, even thin ones who were not physically fit.

Although I don't consider myself a senior as yet, I can easily relate to this phenomenon because, although small in stature, I do not participate in daily, weekly or even monthly scheduled exercise.

Except for my running around the office, I have long abandoned the three-mile beach walk and bicycle ride alongside my jogging spouse daily at 5:30 a.m. And, yes I was once very overweight.

I admit I need to be engaged in an exercise program doing something I like, regardless of my weight, because keeping active and remaining fit are known to prolong our lives and can even help prevent or delay illness or disabilities as we grow older.

I'm the only one who can make this happen; I need to stop making excuses.
Adequate fitness is achieved with only 30 minutes of moderate exercise each day, such as brisk walking, gardening, dancing etc., regardless of your weight.

I should be able to find 30 minutes in my day to do something good for my health and you should, too!

In a recent study researchers looked at the relationship between body fat, fitness and longevity and women aged 60 and older who took part in an Aerobics Longitudinal Study. Among overweight people in the study, 23 percent were classified as unfit as were 53 percent of people that were obese.

A professor at the University of South Carolina School of Public Health, Steven Blair, led the team for the study that looked at the relationship between body fat, fitness and longevity in more than 2,000 men and woman age 60 and older. It was noted that over 12 years of follow- up, 450 people died.

"You really can't tell if a person is fit by looking at them," he said. The individuals who died were older, tended to have lower fitness levels and greater risks for cardiovascular disease.

Numerous studies have provided evidence that physical fitness is associated with lower mortality risk, however if you have an increased body-mass index indicating obesity (associated with excess risk of mortality), this relationship is significantly diminished in individuals who demonstrate good physical fitness and exercise.

The benefits of being physically active extend throughout our lives and can improve many health conditions as well as lower risk for falls and developing heart disease and diabetes, helping you to live on your own longer.

Don't wait for the New Year to make your resolution. Join me now as I plan to make being fit a part of my everyday life.

It will be a slow start, but gradually I will reach the required 30 minutes of activity even if it is broken up throughout my busy day. You can too!