Timeless advice about healthy living: these old sayings about how to stay healthy have a lot of wisdom behind them.

"Never Confuse Motion with Action"

Ben Franklin may have penned that phrase in the 1700s, but some people apparently still don't get it. In 1997, 40% of adults engaged in no leisure-time physical activity, according to Healthy People 2010, a national health promotion initiative. And many who do exercise may not be getting the right kind of exercise.

According to physical therapist Steve Tepper, PT, PhD, of Shenandoah University in Winchester, Virginia, "Probably 75% of the US population doesn't get enough aerobic conditioning exercise." Tepper explains that aerobic exercise is different from strength training. "In a strengthening routine, such as lifting weights, you're not typically building endurance, which is the ability to continue to perform an activity for a prolonged period. Aerobic conditioning exercise, which includes running, biking, swimming, or rowing, is a great way to build endurance."

Says Tepper, "The National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the American College of Sports Medicine recommend at least 30 minutes at a 3- to 6-MET [metabolic intensity] level on most, if not all, days." He explains: "An example of a 3-MET level would be walking at about 2 1/2 miles an hour on level ground, and a 6-MET level would be walking uphill at about 3 1/2 miles an hour." Tepper wholeheartedly touts the health benefits of exercise: "It decreases the risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension," he says.

"Stand Up straight! Don't Slouch"

How many times did you hear those scolding words while growing up?

Behind those long-forgotten words lies a valuable and surprisingly simple message: Good posture helps your body function at top speed. It promotes movement efficiency and endurance and contributes to an overall feeling of well being.

Good posture is good prevention. If you have poor posture, your bones are not properly aligned, and your muscles, joints, and ligaments take on more work than nature intended. Faulty posture may cause fatigue, muscular strain, and, in later stages, pain. Many individuals with chronic back pain can trace their problems to years of faulty postural habits. In addition, poor posture can affect the position and function of your vital organs, particularly those in the abdominal region.

Good posture also contributes to good appearance; the person with good posture projects poise, confidence, and dignity.

According to Patrice Winter, PT, MPT, MS, good posture is "the body being in balance. If you lose your balance point, your body goes into dysfunction. When you're in dysfunction, you're in pain."

If you're practicing good posture but are still having pain, Winter suggests an evaluation by a physical therapist. "If you have your movement and posture evaluated early, then you can often address problems with fine-tuning, and avoid major problems."

"Don't Stick Your Neck Out"

Could that pain in your neck, arms, or back be related to how you sit at your computer?

Improper computer use can cause or aggravate physical injuries and pain, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, and tension headaches. But many people don't know that how they work at their computers could be causing problems.

Negative health consequences from computer use stem from two common mistakes. First, sitting too long at the computer without moving around or changing position can result in repetitive motion disorders and muscle strain. Second, incorrect ergonomics--such as not sitting up straight, not keeping eyes level with the screen, not keeping elbows and knees at right angles, and not using the correct-size mouse--can trigger various physical ailments.

"Proper ergonomics can provide short-term relief of a current problem as well as prevention of a chronic problem," says Ken Harwood, PT, PhD, CIE (Certified Industrial Ergonomist), interim director of Columbia University's Program in Physical Therapy.

"One of the major benefits of seeing a physical therapist early is that it helps you prevent development of chronic conditions. "Physical therapists are able to do a basic evaluation and develop an intervention plan if you have an ergonomic problem, such as a mismatch between your job and body. If you're having problems with a computer setup, a physical therapist will look at your workstation and how you use it," Harwood says. "And if there's already a problem, a physical therapist can assess what needs to be done and provide effective interventions to prevent it from worsening."