Overweight with constant pain? Move more, not less
Did you know that only around 5% of folks who engage in vigorous physical activity report that they're always dealing with pain? In contrast, a staggering 57% of the millions of American adults who don't get even the minimum recommended 150 minutes a week of activity say they're always hurting. Clearly, a lot of you are having to deal with the psychological and physical distress that pain causes.
Unfortunately, that constant agony can reinforce the inclination to avoid exercise. Not the solution.
According to a study in the International Journal of Obesity, the way to feel better isn't to baby those sore joints and muscles -- it's to move them a lot. The research found that when overweight folks get vigorous exercise, they have fewer pain days and when obese folks get physical activity -- moderate or vigorous -- they're more often free of constant pain, too.
Now, it might be hard to power up -- but you'll be rewarded rather quickly. My favorite exercises for newbies are: 1. Intermittent walking, doing 1-3 minutes as fast as you can; 5-10 at a normal pace; repeat, repeat. 2. Using your body weight to do planks, push-ups, squats, and lunges every other day for 10 minutes. 3. Practicing yoga or tai chi to calm the mind and body and promote flexibility. Bonus: Enlisting an exercise buddy eases stress, makes exercising more fun -- and helps you do it more frequently.
For more on feeling better and better, check out my video on YouTube: "Is 90 the New 40? | Dr. Michael Roizen, 2024 Longevity Summit."
Health pioneer Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer emeritus at the Cleveland Clinic and author of four No. 1 New York Times bestsellers. Check out his latest, "The Great Age Reboot: Cracking the Longevity Code for a Younger Tomorrow," and find out more at www.longevityplaybook.com. Email your health and wellness questions to Dr. Mike at questions@longevityplaybook.com.
(c)2023 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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