Get a move on....

Fort Worth Star Telegram
HEALTH TIPS
By Rose Moses
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

Get a move on....

It's one of life's little ironies that the best way to increase your energy level is to increase the amount of exercise you get.

Women can significantly boost their energy with 20 to 30 minutes of exercise time, three to four times a week, says Dallas fitness instructor Stephanie Oakes.

The exercise need not be terribly strenuous -- walking, Pilates and yoga are all effective -- but it must be consistent, Oakes says.

"To increase energy, you have to take time for yourself; you also have to move your body," she said.

Oakes, who offers health advice in USA Today and on NBC's Today show, offers this list of reasons why every woman should exercise regularly.

• It elevates your metabolism, so you burn more calories even when you're resting.

• It increases your aerobic capacity, making everyday activities easier to perform.

• It reduces stress.

• It decreases your risk of developing endometriosis, breast cancer and heart disease.

• It increases the amount of blood that flows to the skin, making it look healthier.

• It improves sleep.