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FIT FOR PURPOSEExercise helps us look and feel better while boosting health and longevityPhysical activity for urban consumers can come in many forms. This can be as simpleas walking up or down buildings instead of using an elevator, or just doing more housework. What happens is that our muscles move, stretch, flex and grow strongerModern consumers must battle for a better quality of life. In previous articles I mentioned various ways to maintain good health, such as taking dietary supplements and eating healthy food. There are other factors contributing to good health, however. It has been said that good health can’t be bought but involves work and care; in short, there is no free lunch. Therefore in this article I will focus on one indispensable factor that can improve or at least maintain our health and well-being –keeping body and soul physically active.Physical activity can take many formsOur agricultural ancestors had to use all of their physical strength to survive in a tough environment. Those who were farmers had to work in the fields from dawn until evening. Their muscles were stretched and utilized to a point where no additional exercise was necessary. Nowadays, farmers are more fortunate, as the industrial revolution provided better equipment to assist in crop production. They still have to work in the fields all day long, but the difference is the greater amount of work achieved. As such, physical activity for farmers is not an issue. In contrast, the majority of urban workers use their muscles far less, and so need to find ways to keep fit.Physical activity for urban consumers can come in many forms. This can be as simple as walking up or down buildings instead of using an elevator, or just doing more housework. What happens is that our muscles move, stretch, flex and grow stronger. More importantly, calories are burned so there will be less accumulation of body weight. On a given day, an adult might consume and burn 1,600-2,000 kilocalories. If we take in more food, the surplus will be stored somewhere else in our bodies. This weight gain occurs gradually, so by the time we notice it may be too late to rectify.The advantages of exerciseWe know that the most important benefit of exercise is burning calories, as it boosts metabolism and helps with weight management. And that exercise can make muscles stronger, healthier and more flexible, a good idea in case of any unexpected accidents. Furthermore, when our bodies are healthy and strong, ailments subside and we can proceed with greater quality of life and longevity.Although aerobic exercise is the most significant action in keeping fit, as mentioned earlier any kind of physical activity can be helpful in consuming calories. The relationship between activities and calories can be seen in the following table.Elite+ 49