In preparation for a trip to Scotland this summer, I re-watched Chariots of Fire, a 1981 British film based on the story of two runners in the in the 1924 Olympics and their different motivations for running. Eric Liddell, a devout Scottish Christian runs for the glory of God, and Harold Abrahams, an English Jew runs to overcome prejudice. Watching the movie got me thinking about why I run.

I don't remember exactly why I started running in my mid-twenties. A group of people at work ran and talked about how much they enjoyed it, so I decided to try it. I had not been a high school or college athlete, and when I started I ran a block and walked a block. Before I knew it, I was running more than walking and soon I didn't need to walk at all. Although I was never very fast, I did complete a marathon and numerous shorter road races. In my early years I even managed to win a few medals, primarily because there weren't many women in my age category.

More than thirty years later I am still running. I ran through most of my pregnancy and through chemotherapy for breast cancer. My husband teases me that I run so I can satisfy my sweet tooth cravings without gaining weight. That is probably partly true, but I also run because it makes me feel good. Research confirms what I always felt-being physically active is as good for our minds as it is for our bodies. The list of benefits of physical activity continues to grow.

WHAT WE KNOW

According to the Mayo Clinic, exercise: It doesn't take a lot of time or great physical prowess to experience the benefits of exercise. As little as 30 minutes a day goes a long way toward achieving the goals above.

And if that isn't enough to get you moving, mounting evidence suggests that physical activity which raises your heart rate for at least 30 minutes several times a week can lower your risk of Alzheimer's. Dr. Ronald Petersen, director of the Alzheimer's Research Center at the Mayo Clinic, said on ABC: "Regular physical exercise is probably the best means we have of preventing Alzheimer's disease today, better than medications, better than intellectual activity, better than supplements and diet."

In their survey "What America Thinks", the MetLife Foundation found that Alzheimer's disease is the second most feared disease among American adults, behind cancer. The best protection against this feared condition isn't learning a new language or doing daily crossword puzzles, it is moving your body.

WHAT WE CAN DO

Even though the multitude of benefits from physical activity is compelling, it can still be difficult to get started. How did you rate your satisfaction with exercise on the healthspan assessment in the January Fiddlehead?

Fitness expert Chuck Runyon, co-founder of Anytime Fitness, offers a number of suggestions for getting started in his book Working Out Sucks!, including the following: Exercise is a good thing, but it can also be risky. It is important to know how to be safe and avoid problems before they happen. Sparkpeople has excellent safety tips for beginners including guidelines for when to check with your doctor before beginning an exercise program.

Are you ready to make changes in your physical activity level? The following can help you get started. Good luck!