by M Kayo

Created on: December 08, 2009

It doesn't take a genius to know that there will inevitably be serious consequences if you don't set and keep fitness goals. Improving fitness levels will give an overall better chance to live a longer life. It's that simple. "The ideal amount of exercise is a half hour of moderate-intense activity five days a week. Even better is an hour of exercise most days of the week," according to

Jonathan Myers, Ph.D., a health research scientist at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System.

Longer life and better quality of life are direct, profound benefits of maintaining a certain level of fitness. Putting off those weight loss plans and not getting to the gym can indeed be deadly. A study published in the American College of Sports Medicine journal stated that "the least fit individuals had a three-fold increased all-cause mortality risk and a nearly four-fold increased cardiovascular mortality risk when compared to the most fit."

If you want to live longer and have a better quality of life, you've got to lose the weight and improve your fitness level. Losing weight, getting to and maintaining a healthy level of fitness will have a profound impact on your life. A study published in the American College of Sports Medicine journal stated that "the least fit individuals had a three-fold increased all-cause mortality risk and a nearly four-fold increased cardiovascular mortality risk when compared to the most fit." If longer life and better quality of life are to be achieved, proper weight maintenance and fitness programs must become reality.

Change Your Perception of Exercise.

It is common knowledge that exercise is critical to excellent health, but for some reason folks still skip the gym and head to the coffee shop for that creamy, high calorie latte. The fact is, skipping the exercise is going to lead you down the road to increased risk of life-shortening conditions. Exercise is essential. If you look at exercise as a chore, you're going to find ways to put it off or avoid it completely. Look at exercise as a privilege, a pleasure. Associate pleasurable things with your exercise routine. Gold's Gym has a Cardio Theater in many of their locations - you can watch a good movie while you exercise. Find a way to make exercise something you enjoy and look forward to doing.

Change Your Support Group.

The people around you can be your biggest asset or your greatest liability in any thing you do in life. This is especially true when you decide to change the direction of your life.

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