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Exercise
Daily exercise is a critical component to good health. People who exercise
regularly have been shown to have
more energy, a stable, healthy weight, better balance and
coordination, a more fulfilling sex life, and
an all around better quality of life.
The health benefits that come from regular exercise are too numerous
to count. The prevention of potentially serious medical conditions
is one of the strongest. The risk of developing
coronary artery disease, stroke,
diabetes, certain cancers,
arthritis and
osteoporosis are greatly diminished in those who exercise. Those who already have health problems can
gain tremendous health advantages from safely increasing their level of physical activity.
The term exercise scares many. Most experts contend that one of the
biggest hurdles facing people who fear exercise is their belief that
exercise equates to sweat and/or pain. It is important to understand
that exercise, although it can mean sweat, really means an increase
in daily physical activity. Integrating 30 minutes of physical
activity into a day, whether it be mowing the lawn or walking the
dog, can have exceptional health benefits for almost everyone. |
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It is important to see exercise as any
physical activity that is part of a day.
How often to
Exercise
Exercise frequency should ideally be for at least 30 minutes, at least 3 times
a
week. Thirty minutes of physical activity of any sort every day of the week
is optimal. If the ultimate goal is weight loss or better fitness, the frequency should be
more often, for longer periods of time. Any type of physical activity
incorporated into your
daily routine can provide excellent results to overall fitness and
weight loss goals.
Exercise for Weight Loss
Those seeking to not only better overall
health and fitness, but to achieve weight loss as well, should increase the frequency, intensity
and duration of exercise. To reach these goals, periods of exercise should be
longer than 30 minutes, 3 times a week.
When exercising for weight loss, remember that the goal is to burn
calories. Although high intensity aerobic exercise, such as
tennis or jogging, is great for burning calories, the focus can be on any
aerobic exercise that can be completed for a period longer than 30 minutes.
Walking an hour a day is an excellent way to burn calories, providing a
method of consistent aerobic exercise with very little risk of injury.
Every reputable weight loss expert will stress that losing weight and maintaining weight loss can
almost never be successful unless a consistent degree of physical activity
is practiced. Exercise is a vital component of
dieting and weight management, both in
terms of weight loss and in successful weight maintenance.
Exercise -
Health Benefits
Many people don't appreciate the reality that exercise is not only good for the body, but
also is good for the mind. Those
who exercise regularly have less chance of becoming chronically ill,
depressed, disabled, and dependent on others. Exercise can reduce
the risk of developing many serious, life threatening diseases and health
conditions. These include;
Coronary Artery Disease & High Blood Pressure
Those individuals who do not exercise and are sedentary have almost close to double the risk of developing coronary artery
disease. Exercise can help to eliminate the need for blood pressure
medications. It also reduces bad cholesterol levels (LDL), increases good
cholesterol levels (HDL), and reduces fat (triglycerides).
Diabetes
A very strong link exists between individuals who do not exercise (and are
usually overweight) and Type 2 Diabetes (non insulin dependent diabetes).
People who already have Type II Diabetes can reap tremendous benefits from regular exercise.
It has been clinically proven that exercise contributes to decreased insulin dosages.
Weight control
The incidence of overweight and obesity in society today continues to grow
at an alarming rate. So too does the incidence of obesity related health
conditions. Being overweight or obese causes increased risk for some cancers, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure,
and other potentially life threatening conditions.
Cancer
More and more studies have demonstrated a link between increased physical activity
and the reduction of certain cancers.
Osteoporosis
Exercise and diet both contribute to the development of strong
bones. Exercise can also slow and even reverse bone loss in older adults.
Strength training is particularly important in building more muscle and bone mass.
Arthritis
Regular exercise can greatly reduce the risk of developing arthritis. It
also provides significant benefits in terms of arthritis management and
prevention of joint problems.
Mental Health
More and more evidence suggests a strong link between exercise and greater
psychological health. The ability of
exercise to profoundly impact both the development and severity of a range
of psychological conditions, including depression and anxiety disorders, is
increasingly evident. Many researchers believe that an improvement in quality of life
greatly impacts the odds of developing psychological
problems. Exercise is not a replacement for other treatments for psychological
disorders; however, it can help make treatment more effective and to some
degree, aid in avoiding the need for treatment altogether.
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