The Difference Between Physical Activity & Exercise
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Living a sedentary lifestyle is the worst thing we can do for our bodies and our overall health because our bodies are made to move! To be truly healthy, we need to incorporate both physical activity and exercise in our daily lives.
Physical activity keeps our bodies moving throughout the day - helping us stay active, mobile, and independent.
Exercise gives us specific health benefits like building strength, improving endurance, and supporting long-term wellness.
Together, they create a powerful foundation for optimal health at any age.
What’s the Difference?
Physical activity includes the daily movements we make to stay active.
Examples:
- Walking
- Gardening or yardwork
- Cleaning the house
- Prepping meals
- Washing the car
Exercise is structured, and encompasses resistance training is designed to build strength and muscle mass and aerobic or cardio that supports cardiovascular health.
Examples:
- Weightlifting or resistance training
- Aerobic workouts
- Swimming
- Running
- Martial Arts
Why Exercise Matters
- Improve cardiovascular health
- Increases muscle strength and mass
- Enhanced balance, mobility and flexibility
- Aids in weight management
- Strengthens bones and reduces the risk of fractures or falls.
- Improves immune function
- Increases energy and improves sleep
- Helps maintain independence as we age.
- Prevents, and manages chronic conditions like obesity, heart disease (leading cause of death in women), dyslipidemia (leads to heart disease and stroke), osteopenia, osteoporosis, and type 2 diabetes.
- Reduce the risks of mental health conditions such as depression, isolation, anxiety, and stress.
- Enhance self-confidence, self-esteem, and overall mood.
- and More!!
Building the habit of regular exercise from a young age is crucial for achieving peak muscle mass. Once we reach middle age, we can lose about 10 pounds of muscle mass per decade. That’s why it’s important to continue exercising throughout life - to preserve muscle, manage weight, and maintain quality of life.
Incorporating both daily physical activity and regular exercise into your routine, can lead to a healthier, more active lifestyle for years to come. It’s not just about looking good - it’s about feeling strong, staying independent, and living life to the fullest at any age.