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Of all the changes Americans can make to improve their health, exercise has been shown to provide the most benefits. Exercise not only preserves weight loss; it also enhances the efficiency of the heart, increases blood flow to the lungs and muscles, and keeps arteries supple and elastic.

Exercise reduces blood pressure and cholesterol, while it improves blood sugar and blood flow to the brain, reducing the risk of dementia and stroke. Exercise also prevents some cancers.

Yet more people are willing to endure a restrictive diet than commit to a daily exercise regimen.

Why do people have such a difficult time exercising? Harvey Simon, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, believes it's due to the way society has defined exercise. Most believe that without pain, there is no gain, he says. "The aerobics revolution inspired the few, but discouraged the many.

To read this article in its entirety, click on US News and World Report.

posted by Mike @ 9:50 AM