Recent polls show that four out of five people are not doing enough vigorous physical exercise to stay healthy and one in four of us do not exercise at all.
Health professionals say the situation is becoming so bad we could be losing years off our lives through killer diseases such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
The problem is that the human body needs intense physical activity to trigger the hormones necessary to repair, rebuild and renew every single cell in our bodies.
As our knowledge and understanding about this grows it becomes apparent that our sedentary modern day lifestyles are working against us in every sense.
Although the message is getting out there about the crucial need for proper exercise people seem to be in denial of its importance in our lives.
Even with modern medicine finding cures for many diseases and illnesses our health is steadily declining and has been since World War II.
For example in the last four decades the prevalence of overweight adults has increased from 31% to 64% alone.
So what is going to get the majority of us moving? Unsurprisingly, many people feel they don't have the time or motivation, so how do we make space in our hectic schedules? First of all we need to change our attitudes and a proper exercise program needs to become a priority in the 21st century, and should be rated as important as family and friends, social and work lives on the totem pole of priorities.
We each really only have two options: (1) figure out how to integrate regular, proper activity into our lives and get the most out of every day we are alive or (2) remain inactive and, at some point after a long, slow decline the wheels are going to fall off.
Then all that time you said you didn't have to exercise will be taken up fighting disease or rehabbing a stroke or heart-attack.
Proper exercise is one of the most important things you can do for a healthy mind and body and results in many physical benefits, weight loss, improved stamina, increased lifespan and improvement in the operating efficiency of every single body part.
Not only does it affect how you feel physically but mentally and emotionally as well.
It affects how you look; how you well you age and contributes enormously to the quality of your life.
Why would you not want to spend a measly 2-3 hours each week to guarantee these important benefits to your life? It is never too late to start and the sooner you start the sooner you can reap the benefits.
But it is important that you have a long term attitude and that if you are going to start you have to start for good.
For it to work it has to be done properly and the right exercise program needs to be set up by a fitness professional to ensure you get meaningful results.
Modern exercise programs contain strength training exercise and can be performed easily in well under an hour.
Using big multi joint exercises and cardio interval training strength and fitness can be improved in just a few weeks with the right program.
The newest focus is one of each of us taking an active part in protecting ourselves against the many degenerative diseases and conditions that were once thought to be a natural part of aging.
The high cost of inactivity is not a cost that most of us can afford and it is better to budget for a gym membership and a pair of training shoes than a wheelchair and a nurse.
Do not allow inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle to erode the health and mobility that you enjoy and want to keep for your whole lifespan.
So, don't take the risk, be proactive and stay strong and fit throughout your lifeto protect your future.