EXERCISE

Exercise

Many people ask if exercise is important and then they ask why it is important. Exercise has many benefits to your health that some people do not realize. Some of these benefits include controlling your weight, reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease, reducing your risk of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. It also reduces your cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Exercise also strengthens your bones and muscles. It improves your mental health, memory, and moods. It helps with balance and flexibility.  Exercise also increases your chances of living longer. 

Exercise is great for your heart. It helps strengthen the hearts muscles and it helps to increase the heart’s pumping ability. These help the heart to function more efficiently and with greater ease. Exercise also makes the blood flow through the heart more efficiently. It also helps lower and regulate your blood pressure. This in turn allows the heart to beat more easily and move blood through the arteries with greater ease. When it comes to cholesterol exercise helps lower triglycerides, and raises your HDL which is your good cholesterol. When it comes to blood sugars and exercise, exercise helps stabilize and reduce blood sugar levels. This in turn reduces heart disease risk and promotes a healthier heart.

When starting an exercise program you need to start slow. If you don’t work out at all or you have health issues, you need to consult your physician and see if exercise is alright for you.  If you don’t work out or get any kind of physical activity during the day start with going for a walk to the end of your street and back, or aim for making it around the block once. If this seems like too big of a goal you can do little things such as taking the stairs at work, or going for a walk at lunch time.  If you are moderately active I would go to the gym and meet with a personal trainer. Most of the gyms will do a free goal assessment. They will show you how to use the equipment and talk about what you want to achieve and they can show you what types of exercise to do to get to your goal.  If you work out multiple times a week I would maybe try a class you have not tried before. Mix up your work outs a bit. This will give the muscles you work out all the time a break. And will also activate other muscles that you may not have been using.

Over all the health benefits of working out, out weight the risks. Exercise helps people feel better not only physically but mentally as well. Physical activity will help boost one’s self confidence.   It will also help them start their day off on the right foot. Exercise is known as a great stress reducer, and mood booster.   If you ever question if you should work out or not think about all of these benefitsJ

Mandy Wink

Certified Personal Trainer

Diet Consultant