Are you physically active or exercising?

There is a difference.  Being physically active is good don't get me wrong. But there is a difference in the two.  If you want improvement in cardiovascular fitness it requires more strenuous physical activity. For example, jogging or running provides greater cardiovascular benefit than walking at a leisurely pace. So if you want enhanced fitness it will not only depend on what physical activity you do but on how vigorously and for how long you continue the activity. That's why it's important to exercise within your target heart rate range. The range will change as you become more physically fit so it's important to keep challenging yourself so that you break through plateaus by kicking up your program.

Here are components of exercise with elements designed to improve each:

Cardio-respiratory endurance: Enhance your ability to engage in aerobic exercise through activities such as brisk walking, jogging, running, cycling, swimming, jumping rope,  or rowing. As you reach distance or intensity goals, reset them higher or switch to a different activity to keep challenging yourself.

Muscular strength: You can increase muscular strength most effectively by lifting weights, using either free weights, weight machines, kettle bells or resistance bands. Resistance bands will typically have examples of exercises within the package.

Muscular endurance: Improve your endurance through conditioning exercises, weight training, and activities such as running and swimming.

Flexibility: Work to increase your level of flexibility through stretching exercises that you incorporate into your workout or through yoga or pilates.  This not only improves your flexibility but helps with balance and coordination.

So keep increasing the amount of physical activity - like parking further from your destination, taking stairs instead of elevators - all good. But to really achieve fitness goals, you'll want to incorporate structured, vigorous activities into your schedule to help attain even more of your fitness and health goals.

I leave you with this "It is easier to maintain good health through proper exercise, diet, and emotional balance than to regain once it is lost."  Enjoy your weekend and maintain, maintain, maintain!