More chances to spend time outdoors, it’s a good time to look at your overall health and fitness routines.

Performance-related fitness is linked to athletic performance, while health-related fitness includes activities that may lower health risks, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. The components of health-related fitness activities include:

• Aerobic fitness: the ability of the heart and lungs to deliver blood to muscles.
• Muscular strength and endurance: the ability to do normal activities easily and protect the lower back.
• Flexibility: the ability to move your joints through their proper range.
• Body composition: keeping a healthy amount of body fat, especially around the waist.

Being more active not only increases your chances of avoiding heart problems and living longer, it can give you big benefits right now.

Staying healthy and fit takes a certain amount of time and dedication. It is recommended everyone get two-and-a-half hours of moderate activity per week. This can include activities such as brisk walking, dancing or biking.

If you haven’t exercised for some time, you might enjoy activities that will boost your fitness with less effort. A leisurely hike through the park not only gets you started, it is a great stress-buster.

Swimming is fun and good exercise. Instead of just sitting around the pool, swim a few laps.

You’ll be surprised at how much fun family walks can be. They take no equipment, no driving anywhere to do it and they can become a daily ritual.

The single most important thing in staying fit is to find activities that you enjoy and do them!