Along with healthy eating, physical activity increases your chances of living longer. Exercise can also help:

•  Control your blood pressure, blood sugar, and weight

•  Lower your “bad” cholesterol and raise your “good” cholesterol

•  Prevent heart disease, colorectal and breast cancer, and type 2 diabetes

And that’s not all. Being more active can:

•  Be fun

•  Help you look your best

•  Improve your sleep

•  Make your bones, muscles, and joints stronger

•  Lower your chances of becoming depressed

•  Reduce falls and arthritis pain

•  Help you feel better about yourself

For adults, most health benefits come with at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity physical activity, such as brisk walking. Extra benefits occur with more physical activity. Both aerobic (endurance) and muscle-strengthening (resistance) physical activity are helpful.

Children need 60 minutes of play with moderate to vigorous activity every day. If this sounds like a lot, consider that eight to 18 year olds spend an average of 7.5 hours a day sitting. This includes using computers, video games, cell phones and watching TV and movies.

Make exercise fun

No matter what shape you are in, you can find activities that you enjoy. If you think of exercise as a chore that you have to do, it can be harder to stick with it.

•  Choose activities you enjoy and look forward to. Do ones you enjoyed as a child.

•  Set up a walking program with a friend, family member, or coworker you enjoy being with.

•  Wear a pedometer to track your steps. Aim for a goal of 10,000 steps a day.

•  Enjoy a sunny day and fresh air with outdoor activities.

•  Play outdoors with your children and grandchildren.

•  Use fitness facilities at your work.