Staying active

If you don't exercise enough, then your body, and particularly your heart, won't be fit enough to do the job it needs to do.

A little effort makes a big difference

Exercise helps your body to stay in good condition so that you can do all the things that you want to do. Exercise helps your body make good cholesterol (HDL), which helps to stop your coronary arteries from becoming narrowed or blocked.

Without regular exercise, your body can't burn off the calories you have eaten, so you could put on weight.

There are lots of things that we can all do. Why not walk part of the way to work instead of getting the bus, or take a brisk walk at work before having your lunch? Try walking up and down stairs regularly.

There are different ways to exercise, which means you won't get bored. Maybe you can try these things with family or friends. If you make sure it's fun, you are more likely to stick to it.

In order to keep your heart healthy and to get the real benefits from exercise, you need to exercise for at least 30 minutes. Do something that makes you feel warm, and slightly out of breath.

You can split this into two sessions of 15 minutes if that's easier for you. If you can do that five times a week, then you're getting good exercise. If you need to lose weight, you may need to do more than 30 minutes.

Remember, it's important to do stretching before and after exercise so that your muscles are warm and you do not hurt yourself.

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