Story By Cindy Hoskins BlackPhotography By Keith KetchumIt’s New Year’s resolution time, and if you’re not already an exerciser, you should seriously consider starting a workout routine this year. Whether you are 25 or 75 years old, exercise must be a part of your day for the rest of your life – if you want to live a long and healthy life. In the United States, 65 percent of all adults are overweight. This epidemic is damaging human health by raising the incidences of heart disease, stroke, breast cancer, colon cancer, arthritis and adult onset diabetes. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that 300,000 Americans die each year from obesity-related illnesses. If you are one of those 65 percent of adults who is overweight, now is the time to do something about it! Gaining weight is generally a result of consuming more calories than are burned. In the past weight-loss plans have focused on lowering calorie intake through diet, but today’s evidence shows that exercise is also necessary component of losing weight. Ninety-five percent of Americans who attempt to achieve a healthy body weight by dieting alone fail. Many of those who have failed gain even more weight over the next few years! Bringing exercise into our daily lives may not be easy but it is absolutely necessary. So where do we begin? There are three types of exercise you need. You must add muscular endurance and muscular strength exercises along with flexibility training to your weekly workout routines. Muscular endurance activities include walking, cycling and swimming. If you have trouble with motivation, find an exercise partner who will hold you accountable and make exercise more enjoyable. The most efficient muscular strength activity is weight training. Remember that proper form and technique in weight training is a must. Weight-training workouts may be structured in many different ways depending on your limitations and goals. Stretching is needed to maintain the range of motion in our joints and keep them healthy, especially as we age. Basic joint-specific stretches are excellent, or you can try yoga, which has become a very popular option for maintaining flexibility. Developing your overall fitness program can be a challenge if you do not have the proper knowledge about exercise. Utilizing an experienced personal trainer will ensure you a balanced and safe start to your lifelong exercise journey. A personal trainer will determine the amount of cardiovascular training and specific weight-bearing exercises that you need to perform to build strength and tone your body. Stretching exercises should also be included to increase flexibility and reduce muscle soreness. More importantly, the trainer will ensure that you perform each exercise safely and effectively. 25 Benefits of exercise1. Relieve tension and stress2. Lose weight3. Increase metabolism4. Improve muscle tone & strength5. Helps to relieve insomnia6. Decrease blood pressure7. Increase flexibility8. Improve circulation9. Increase Hdl “good cholesterol”10. Decrease ldl “bad cholesterol”11. Decrease triglycerides12. Help prevent type ii diabetes13. Reduce pain14. Decrease anxiety and depression15. Decrease back pain16. Improve immune system17. Strengthen bones18. Decrease risk of heart disease19. Improve balance20. Increase joint range of motion21. Increase energy level22. Social interaction23. Live longer24. Lose inches25. Drive the golf ball longer and straighter! To see the full list of 50 Benefits of exercise, see www.cme2bfit.com .