There is another side to the exercise coin, which is the health consequence of leading a sedentary life. For starters, couch potatoes are at a far greater risk of developing high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which leads to heart attack and stroke, which is supposed to be the biggest killer of middle-aged people.

Lack of exercise weakens the skeleton and increases the risk of developing osteoporosis, a condition that results in fragile bones that fracture easily. Inactive people are more prone to lung ailments, such as bronchitis, and disorders such as diabetes mellitus. In addition, agility and balance can deteriorate as a result of inactivity. A sedentary lifestyle also means that your immune system never works at its peak.

A well known 40 year research project in the US called the Framingham study investigated the link between exercise and heart disease. It concluded that sedentary people were over five times more likely to die from a heart disease than those who fitted even moderate levels of exercise in their weekly routine.

The cornerstone of the body’s defense mechanisms is the lymphatic system, which relies on physical activity to push lymph food around the body, along with the white blood cells and antibodies that fight infection. If you are inactive much of the time, your lymphatic system becomes sluggish and ineffective, leaving you more prone to infectious disease, both minor as well as major, and a number of other serious health conditions.