November 24, 2017
6 Reasons To Exercise
I’ve always been fairly active since I was a kid. I learned how to skate when I was 3 years old, which later transitioned into competitive figure skating for nearly 12 years. I’ll admit, when I stopped figure skating there was a period of time in high school when I didn’t really do much activity aside from gym class and walking to and from school. At the time, I claimed that academics took precedence and that I didn’t have time because I was working part-time. While, this is value to a point, I didn’t have to stop exercising completely; but I did. So, I put on a bit of weight, but nothing too crazy.
When I started university, I really decided that I was going to incorporate exercise as part of my daily routine. Let me tell you, it was a slow process. It started off with just jogging around the block, then it progressed into doing more weight training, then adding yoga and it just progressed further from there. Now, I run marathons and love strength training.
Changing your lifestyle habits, diet, and incorporating physical activity will not happen overnight. Just like how you’ve gotten to this point in life, whether you are overweight, or underweight, it didn’t happen overnight. It is important to keep that in mind. It will take time, and allow yourself the time to change. Anything worth doing isn’t easy.
So to keep motivated, these are the 6 reasons to exercise!
Managing Weight
Those who exercise regularly are more likely to maintain a healthy body weight. Basically, it increases energy output so more calories can be consumed without gaining weight. As you workout, lean tissue mass increases and, therefore, your basal metabolic rate increases. This means you burn more calories at rest. You still need to make smart and nutritious food choices most of the time. But exercising regularly allows you to have that one slice of cake, or cookie now and again without adding to your waist line.
Improves Cardiovascular Health
Aerobic exercise strengthens the heart; reduces the number of beats needed to deliver blood to tissues at rest and during activity. This in turn, helps lower blood pressure and increase HDL cholesterol in the blood. These effects help to lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Diabetes Prevention
Those with excess body fat are more prone to developing diabetes. It is important to keep body fat within the normal range and exercise can help decrease the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Aerobic activity in addition to weight training increases insulin sensitivity.
Bone and Joint Health
Weight training stimulates bones to become stronger. One of the causes of bone loss, and subsequent osteoporosis, is the lack of muscle use. Exercising can increase bone mass and prevent bone loss therefore lowering the risk of osteoporosis. Further, it can help manage pain associated with arthritis as gaining flexibility allows joints to move more easily.
Reduces Cancer Risk
Those who exercise regularly can reduce their cancer risk. It’s not just the act of moving that can lower your risk but what goes along with exercise. Those who exercise, tend to follow healthier diets and lifestyles; therefore, these compounding factors, help lower cancer risk.
Overall Sense of Well-Being
Exercise helps improve mood, reduces stress, boost self-esteem and energy. Exercise stimulates the release of endorphins aka the “feel good chemicals”. Typically, those who exercise and maintain healthy lifestyle are better able to manage their moods, stress levels, tolerate pain, and sleep better. After a long day at work, nothing feels better than going to the gym and punching a punching bag to get all your frustrations out!
