Let me share something personal. The reason I got into health and fitness was because my mother was so unhealthy. She was overweight, a smoker, and an angry person. She was a ticking time bomb. At 48 years old, she had a massive heart attack followed by triple bypass. I was a senior in college. I moved to New York City right after graduation and my mother could not even walk a city block. It was so sad, she had turned into an old woman overnight. Her life became a rotation of doctors, prescription meds, more doctors, and cardio rehab. It was the saddest thing in the world to me. It still is.
Dr. Koplin was her cardiologist for 22 years and was always scolding her about her poor diet and lack of exercise. The last appointment I took her to he said, “Madalyn, I don’t even care anymore if you eat donuts, doesn’t matter. But you have TO MOVE.”
Well Harvard Medical Journal would agree. “Exercising regularly, every day if possible, is the single most important thing you can do for your health. In the short term, exercise helps to control appetite, boost mood, and improve sleep. In the long term, it reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, dementia, depression, and many cancers.”
Exercise controls weight
Exercise can help prevent excess weight gain or help maintain weight loss. When you engage in physical activity, you burn calories. The more intense the activity, the more calories you burn.
Exercise combats health conditions and diseases
Being active boosts high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the "good" cholesterol, and it decreases unhealthy triglycerides. This one-two punch keeps your blood flowing smoothly, which decreases your risk of cardiovascular diseases.
Regular exercise helps prevent or manage many health problems and concerns, including:
Stroke
Metabolic syndrome
High blood pressure
Type 2 diabetes
Depression
Anxiety
Many types of cancer
Arthritis
Falls
It can also help improve cognitive function and helps lower the risk of death from all causes.
Exercise improves mood
Physical activity stimulates your neurotransmitters, mainly endorphins that may leave you feeling happier, more relaxed and less anxious.
You may also feel better about your appearance and yourself when you exercise regularly, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem.
Exercise boosts energy
Exercise delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and helps your cardiovascular system work more efficiently. And when your heart and lung health improve, you have more energy to take on your day.
Exercise promotes better sleep
Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster, get better sleep and deepen your sleep.
Exercise puts the spark back into your sex life
But there's even more to it than that. Regular physical activity may enhance arousal for women. And men who exercise regularly are less likely to have problems with erectile dysfunction than are men who don't exercise. It’s all about the blood flow😉
Exercise can be fun … and social!
One of the keys to happiness and longevity is a bit of competitive, yet FUN and social athletic interaction. Whether it be seeing the familiar smiling faces of Zumba class, or spin class or a group walk, exercising with others keeps you motivated, honest, and challenged!
You don’t have to start training for a marathon or triathlon, you just have to move! Park on the other side of the parking lot, take the stairs, jump up and down twenty times at your desk and make your co-workers laugh. Make it fun, stick with it, and enjoy!
Also, check out some of my yoga videos or strengthening exercises.