Exercise keeps your arteries healthy, controls your weight, lowers blood pressure and stress and raises the level of HDL cholesterol. Experts differ on how much exercise is beneficial. Many advocate 30 minutes of exercise each day. Others contend that only an hour of exercise per week is sufficient. Recent research backs up the contention that you don't need to exercise every day to reap the benefits.
Consistency seems to be the key.
Whatever amount you do, be consistent. It's considered best to choose a form of exercise that you like. This could include gardening, walking, biking, weightlifting, dancing, tai chi, yoga and swimming, even bowling has been found to be helpful. Let your exercise be as much fun as it can be. It is much less likely that you will stay with something that you hate or find a burden.