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Physical Activity
Regular physical activity is important for your overall health and well-being. Include activities that you enjoy and can easily fit into your daily routine—such as walking your dog, working in your garden, or riding your bike.

Being active for 30-60 minutes on most days can help you build strength and fitness, relax and reduce stress, gain more energy, and improve your sleep. These benefits all add up to decreasing your risk of heart disease and other conditions, such as colon cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, and high blood pressure.

If you have been inactive for several years or are currently under medical care, please consult your doctor before starting a new exercise program.
Related Links
Click on the subject below for a list of related links.

Getting Started Link Arrow Getting Started
Keeping Track Link Arrow Keeping Track
Maintaining Physical Activity Link Arrow Maintaining Physical Activity
Physical Activity for Everyone Link Arrow Physical Activity for Everyone
Getting Started
Fitness Fundamentals: Guidelines for Personal Exercise Programs
http://www.fitness.gov/fitness.htm
Active At Any Size
http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/active.htm
Physical Activity in Your Daily Life
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=2155
Tips to Help You Get Active
http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/tips.htm
Shape Up America! 10,000 Steps
http://www.shapeup.org/shape/steps.php
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Keeping Track
President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
http://www.presidentschallenge.org
Assess Your Physical Activity
http://www.mypyramidtracker.gov
MyStart! Online for Individuals
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3040839
The Fitness Center
http://www.shapeup.org/fitness
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Maintaining Physical Activity
Maintenance 101: The Basics
http://www.shapeup.org/atmstd/support/maintain/basics.htm
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Physical Activity for Everyone
SmallStep.gov
http://www.smallstep.gov
BAM! Body and Mind—Physical Activity
http://www.bam.gov/sub_physicalactivity
My Bright Future: Physical Activity And Healthy Eating Guide for Adult Women
http://www.hrsa.gov/womenshealth/mybrightfutureadult/menu.html
Powerful Girls Need Physical Activity
http://www.cdc.gov/powerfulbones/parents/activity/pa_links.html
Physical Activity (Exercise)
http://www.womenshealth.gov/faq/exercise.htm
Physical Activity for Everyone: Making Physical Activity Part of Your Life
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/physical/life/index.htm
Physical Activity for Everyone: Recommendations: Are there special recommendations for older adults?
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/physical/recommendations/older_adults.htm
Physical Activity for Everyone: Recommendations: Are there special recommendations for young people?
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/physical/recommendations/young.htm
Your Guide to Physical Activity and Your Heart
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/phy_active.htm
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www.smallstep.gov - Small Step for Adult & Teen

Small Steps make a big difference.  Our small Steps program suggests some little things to make big changes in your life.
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 www.smallstep.gov - Small Step for Kids
 
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