Most likely you have exercised most or at least part of your life. This is especially true of baby boomers who started the jogging nation. For me I have been at it steadily since the age of 14. The next year I gave it up for cigarettes and then alcohol. I managed to letter in high school track and qualified for the state championship; I didn't win. That was probably because of my age and lack of coaching. Anyway the letter represent a ticket punch and I was on to girls and vice.
During my military career of four years I devoted my self to staying alive, doing my job and in my spare time getting high. Leaving the military I turned over a new leaf; stopped smoking and joined the college cross country and track team, this required 8 to miles a day of running and some other short fast runs to develop speed. At the time I had a new familiy and a full time job to support them. My class time was night school. I probably could not have met schedule if I had been out of shape.
As the years passed I tried to stay in shape with light weights and running. First the knees went , with an ACL tear. OK so let's just walk. No problem five miles a day for years. Then Plantars Fasciitis struck.
Now no walking at all till that heals.
I have never had a health problem related to heart or blood pressure. No other disease has seen fit to plague me as yet. I put this down to the beneficial effects of life long exercise. So from that point of view, yes exercise is worth it. Is it still valuable in later life?
If you are just starting and are overweight, over 40 or have any health problems : get a check up first. Then start slowly walking a quarter of a mile increasing 10% a week until you can manage three miles a day in less than an hour. A light weight workout is a must. Some combination of curls, presses, and flys is essential, but not more than 20 pounds two sets of 10 repetitions to start should be adequate.
This will invigorate and use too much energy.
In my opinion light exercise as you age is essential. Just be careful or injuries will result.
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