By now we all know we need to exercise. It seems everyday a new study is being published about the benefits of exercise and along with it a new report is filed on the growing obesity epidemic in America. In fact one long term study I read recently concluded that not exercising has the health effects of smoking a pack and a half of cigarettes a day! Well to help motivate you along I listed ten off beat benefits of regular exercise. Remember exercise doesn’t mean you have to train like a body builder or fitness model. What we are talking about here is at least 30 minutes of movement a day. That can be a in the form of a 30 minute walk or bike ride or 30 minutes of circuit based weight training, basically anything that gets your heart rate up for at least half an hour a day. If you can’t do thirty minutes start with 20, or even 10 and work your way up and you will see an amazing amount of benefits for such a minimal investment. Ok here is the list:
1) Relieves Arthritis Pain – believe it or not suffering Arthritis isn’t an excuse not to exercise but rather a reason to exercise! Exercise (especially strength training in this case) induces the manufacture of synovial fluid, distributes that fluid over the cartilage and forces it to circulate throughout the joint space.
2) Helps Relieve Anxiety and Depression – exercise has been shown in some studies to be as effective in helping with mood disorders as modern pharmaceuticals! Exercise triggers the release of mood altering chemicals in your body, speeds your metabolism and delivers more oxygen to the brain.
3) Improves Memory – regular exercise improves cognitive abilities by improving the blood and oxygen flow to the brain.
4) Helps with Lung and Repertory Issues – exercise strengths the muscles used in breathing, boosts the level of oxygen in the blood, and helps control nasal congestion and discomfort.
5) Controls Cholesterol – regular exercise raises the HDL (good) cholesterol levels and lowers the LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
6) Fights Heart Disease – regular exercise is a staple in the current treatment and prevention programs for heart disease.
7) Fights Fatigue – exercise helps fight the fatigue causing side effects of stress, poor circulation, poor blood oxygenation, bad posture and improper breathing habits.
8) Battles Glaucoma – regular exercise relieves the pressure buildup on the eyeball which is the onset of glaucoma.
9) Heals Headaches – exercise forces the body to release more of its opiate-like, pain inhibiting chemicals.
10) Improves Insomnia and sleeplessness – regular exercise reduces muscular tension and stress leading to a much better night’s sleep.
Well there you go, hopefully some of these motivate you to get at it or keep on it. Remember exercise isn’t all about having that fitness model figure it is really about taking control of your health.
