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Physical Activity & Fitness

Physical activity programs range from one session to weekly sessions over several months. These classes are designed to educate you about key principles and self-motivation. Although some programs involve exercise, these are not intended to provide weekly exercise. Typical information includes:
  • Principles of fitness program
  • Warm-up and cool-down techniques
  • Strength training
  • Flexibility routines
  • Cardiovascular exercise tips
  • Body composition/body fat reduction programs
  • Personal fitness assessments

Self Care Tips

Our understanding of fitness has evolved since the "fitness craze" first took hold. Scientific evidence now clearly indicates that regular moderate-intensity physical activity offers many of the health benefits traditionally associated with more intense exercise.

Based on this evidence, a new report by the U.S. Surgeon General urges Americans to lead more active lifestyles in general. The minimum goal for all Americans: to accumulate 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity over the course of the day, for most days of the week.

Moderate-intensity activity includes many of the things you may already be doing during a day or week: walking the dog, raking leaves, playing with the kids, even housework (it may not be fun, but chores, such as vacuuming, can be a workout). For many people, being more active may simply mean taking advantage of, or creating opportunities for, activity.

For example, walking to work - even if it means parking the car farther away than is typical - can help you accumulate "active time." Foregoing the elevator for the stairs, gardening or mowing the lawn with a push mower, or doing other things also can give you a "workout." The point is not to make physical activity an unwelcome chore, but to seize the opportunities you have, and make the most of them.

Here are some of the specific health benefits of regular physical activity:
  • Heart Health - Can cut the risk of heart disease almost in half and also help prevent major risk factors, such as obesity and high blood pressure.
  • Cholesterol Control - Can improve blood cholesterol profiles by raising HDL levels (good cholesterol) and lowering triglycerides, another fat carried in the blood.
  • Muscling out Fat - Improves the body's muscle-to-fat ratio by building or preserving muscle mass, which, in turn, increases calorie-burning efficiency to reduce body fat.
  • Bone Support - Seems to slow the bone loss associated with advancing age - a major cause of fractures in later life.
  • Insulin Enhancement - Enables the body to use insulin more efficiently, helping to control adult-onset diabetes.
  • Cancer Check - Combating obesity appears to lower the risk of certain cancers, particularly cancers of the breast, colon and uterus.
  • Aerobic Improvement - Slows the decline in aerobic capacity (the maximum volume of oxygen the body can consume) that is associated with aging, helping to improve cardiorespiratory health.
  • Weight Control - When combined with proper nutrition, can help control weight and prevent obesity, a major risk factor for many diseases.
  • Attitude Adjustment - Reduces anxiety and depression, improves self-esteem, and helps you better manage stress.
We are dedicated to helping you be as healthy as possible. Here are the resources - now it is up to you to choose your own way to wellness.

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