10 Reasons to Exercise

Did you know that regular exercise has internal as well as external benefits? Our body is made to move, but most of us sit throughout the day, which compromises our health and quality of life. 10 ways regular exercise enhances our overall well-being.


1. Boost energy As our heart rate rises during exercise, the extra blood being pumped brings oxygen and nutrients to all cells and tissues. These fuel our body and give energy levels a lift. If you're feeling tired, perk up by getting your blood flowing! 2. Enhance mood Exercise stimulates the production of endorphins, our body's feel-good chemicals. If you're feeling down, go for a jog or take a walk in the park. It will give you a brighter outlook! 3. Healthy pH balance Increased oxygen from exercise lifts our pH to a healthy alkaline state. An acidic internal environment supports disease including eczema, arthritis and even cancer. Alkaline minerals are drawn from our internal organs to neutralize this acid, leading to deficiencies. Increasing circulation boosts the flow of alkalizing oxygen, improving health and vitality. 4. Healthy weight loss Exercise, paired with healthy food choices, is the best way to lose weight. It lifts our metabolism, increasing the rate at which we burn calories. A combination of fat-burning aerobic and muscle-building strength training will speed and enhance weight loss. Muscle burns around 50 times more energy than fat, so the more muscle we have the more calories we use 5. Healthy weight gain Some people struggle with gaining weight instead of losing it. The only way to gain healthy lean muscle is through exercise and proper diet. Weight training or exercises involving moving your body dynamically, like push ups or chin ups, can help you gain strength as well as muscle mass. 6. Increase flexibility Passive exercise in the form of stretching or yoga enhances flexibility - a vital aspect of fitness and longevity. Increased flexibility improves range of movement, providing greater mobility, reduced tension and improved quality of life. 7. Improve strength Resistance training increases energy and slows the loss of strength that occurs as we grow older. Weight training, using rubber cords or body weight exercises such as push-ups are great ways to increase strength. 8. Enhance agility Bouncing on a rebounder, walking on the edge of a curb or jumping from side to side over a beam or log improves balance and coordination. These seemingly unchallenging exercises stimulate the brain and help our body adapt to new situations - an important factor in slowing aging. 9. Remove toxins Exercise enhances all aspects of our body's self-cleansing activities. Our lymphatic system relies on muscular movement and gravity to remove wastes from our cells. Sweating flushes and cleans our pores. The oxygenating effect of exercise also enhances our body's efforts to restore and rejuvenate. 10. Live better Exercise improves the health of our entire body: stronger heart, controlled blood sugar levels, reduced fat, increased oxygen and better removal of wastes. These elements help our body fight disease and prevent illness - the keys to a strong immune system and optimum health! Related articles: Simple exercises, Exercise and Stress Management