Thursday, February 19, 2009

The Benefits of Regular Exercise

I have been putting this topic off for a while since I've been so busy but it's time for me to start consistently exercising again. I've only been exercising 2-3 times a week which is better than not exercising at all, but I know there are even greater benefits if one exercises 5-6 days a week. Remember that exercise doesn't have to be excessive or hurt in order to benefit from it. "No pain no gain" is a myth. The key is consistency. Also remember to consult a physician before starting a fitness program.

The benefits of being physically active are plentiful. Exercise has been shown to decrease the risk of obesity, heart disease, stroke, some cancers, diabetes, and osteoporosis. Here are some of the additional benefits that consistent physical exercise can offer:

*Lowers LDL bad cholesterol and increases HDL good cholesterol
*Lowers resting heart rate and pulse which makes heart more efficient
*Increases muscle mass which improves metabolism and appearance
*Helps to burn calories and enhance weight loss
*Increases energy levels throughout the day
*Strengthens not only skeletal muscles but also heart and lungs
*Allows greater endurance and strength for daily physical activity
*Is a great form of stress reduction
*Can improve your mood and depression due to the release of endorphins
*Can help you sleep better throughout the night
*Weight bearing exercise promotes bone density
*Keeps you from getting sick as often and may help you live longer
*It gives you more confidence and helps you feel better
*Helps you age gracefully and causes you to lose lean body mass slower as you get older

You would have to be crazy to not to want these benefits, so I am calling a quit to my insanity and am adding regular exercise 5-6 times per week as my newest weekly commitment. I invite you to do the same if you aren't already doing so.