Physical exercise reduces stress, improves eating habits and weight control, increases good (HDL) cholesterol, and decreases triglyceride levels. Regular exercise prolongs life, reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke, and improves mood and a sense of well-being. It also reduces the risk of getting cancer. With all these benefits, why not take the time to exercise?
Let’s face it, though, we just do not take the time, despite all the great benefits. We are getting fatter, eating less whole foods and more processed foods, and living a life that is more stressful and busy. Exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, not smoking and not drinking heavily — all of these combined will probably minimize your visits to the doctor and extend your life.
What Exercise is Best?
Apparently jogging and other high aerobic exercises cause your body to create more free radicals. These attack your healthy cells and encourage disease.
Therefore, the best exercise is moderate exercise. Moderate exercise has been shown to lower blood sugar and blood pressure and to not increase the number of free radicals in your body.
Weight lifting and walking are good forms of moderate exercise. Light aerobic exercise, such as walking and weight lifting, has been proven to release powerful hormones that actually counteract the harmful chemicals and results of stress. It will also improve your body’s abilities to cope with oxidants.
Begin with light weights, gradually increasing the weight as your strength improves. If you walk, start out slowly and build up to a healthy thirty minute walk at a good pace.
Taking part in any type of light aerobic exercise greatly improves a person's health and fitness levels and of course, it can also be effective in weight loss since different types of aerobic activities help to burn more calories. Combined with a healthy diet, a moderate exercise program produces even more health benefits.
Importance of Setting a Schedule for Exercising
It’s very easy to think, “I’ll get around to it later,” but something more often than not will distract individuals away from exercise unless they have a certain schedule that is followed every day. So sit down right now and plan a schedule that you can follow.
Suddenly moving into full exercise without building up first will cause problems such as stiffness and cramps. So it is important to build up slowly to a full exercise regimen.
Conclusion
Any physical exercise is better than none. But if you want better health, improved digestion, more energy and love of life, make a commitment to exercise three times a week, even if it's just to go out for a thirty minute walk.
Many people will argue that they don’t have the time. However, since exercising gives you more energy and better health, you will be able to get more done in a day and will suffer the effects of colds and flues less often, thereby actually giving you more time that can be productive.
Exercise regularly, eat a healthy diet, avoid smoking and heavy drinking — and your life will be longer and more healthy. You will be less susceptible to disease and will enjoy a happier mood. With all these wonderful benefits, let us all determine to start exercising today.
Carol Stack has written numerous articles about health related subjects. She lives with her husband, three children, and various cats and dogs in the United States. Carol and her sister Barbara have started a site that focuses on improving your health and offers healthy recipes that are simple and easy to prepare. Visit the site at http://www.healthyrecipesandmore.com