Thank you for visiting the Lincoln in Motion website! For whatever your interest in physical activity, we hope to provide you with the information and guidance that you are seeking.

If you are currently inactive, welcome to the club! Almost two-thirds of adult Americans, according to the most recent national health surveys, describe themselves as inactive. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers anyone who has, in the past 30 days, not participated (outside of their regular job) in a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days of the week, to be inactive. Moderate-intensity activities are described as causing small increases in breathing or heart rate as compared to vigorous activities which are described as causing large increases in breathing or heart rate.

Everyone has a unique reason for wanting to start being more physically active. Some people want to change the way their body is shaped or change their physical appearance by developing muscle or decreasing fat. Others want to start being more active as they prepare for competition or to complete an event, say a walk for charity or a bike ride on vacation with their family or friends. Others need to become more physically active to improve their overall health status and to reduce their risk for illness, injury, or premature death.

Whatever your reason for wanting to start to become more physically active, the question remains, "How do I get started?". The answer is as unique as your reason for wanting to get started as it all depends on where you are now and where are you wanting to go.

One simple rule of thumb is if you are a male over the age of 40 or a female over the age of 50, and if you have had any cardiovascular health ailments (heart attack, stroke, or heart surgery) you will need to see a physician before starting any program of moderate- or vigorous-intensity physical activity.

If you are an adult wanting to start a moderate-intensity physical activity program, you should be able to start a program without consulting your physician. If you are an adult wanting to start a vigorous-intensity program of physical activity and you are a male over the age of 40 or a female over the age of 50, you should consult a physician before starting.

For more tips on sustaining lifelong change, go to: Making and Sustaining Healthy Life Changes