We all know that exercise is important, but do you know why it’s so important? In this post, we are going to review some proven benefits of exercise. We will discuss these benefits and how to achieve them in more depth in subsequent blog posts.
I’d like to start off by pointing out that exercise does have inherent risks, as do many things in life such as driving a car or eating too much bacon. However, it has been scientifically proven that the benefits of exercise far outweigh the risks. So let’s discuss why exercise is so good for you and get you excited about adding more movement to your daily life!
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention highlight some of the main benefits of exercise:
- Weight control – Many people think of food when they hear weight control. But diet is only part of the battle when it comes to our weight. Physical activity is imperative for losing weight. It’s also important for maintaining your ideal weight over time.
- Increase your chances of living longer – People who are physically active for 7 hours a week are 40% less likely to die early than those who are physically active for less than 30 minutes. Similarly, exercise decreases risk of some of the leading causes of death (see numbers 3 and 5 below.)
- Reduce risk of cardiovascular disease – With heart disease as the #1 leading cause of death in the U.S. and stroke as #5, it is of utmost importance that we take care of our cardiovascular system, even at a young age. Exercise can protect the heart, lower blood pressure, and lower cholesterol. We will go into more details in subsequent posts about this.
- Reduce risk of diabetes and metabolic syndrome – Research shows that people who perform moderate intensity exercise for at least 120-150 minutes per week have a lower risk of metabolic syndrome. The more you exercise, the lower your risk is. If you have type 2 diabetes, exercise helps you control your blood glucose levels.
- Reduce your risk of some cancers – Strong research has shown that people who exercise have a lower risk of breast and colon cancer. Research also suggests that exercise reduces the risk of lung and endometrial cancer, but more studies need to be conducted on this. Cancer survivors who exercise tend to have a better quality of life and improved physical fitness.
- Strengthen bones and muscles – Performing aerobic, muscle-strengthening, and bone-strengthening physical activity protects and strengthens your bones, muscles, and joints, especially as you age. People who perform at least 120-300 minutes of moderate activity (or vigorous) have a smaller chance of contracting a hip fracture. Similarly, exercise can improve the symptoms of arthritis and maintain muscle and strength as you age.
- Improve mental health and mood – Regular activity can reduce your risk of depression, help you sleep better, and can maintain your thinking, judgment, and learning skills as you get older.
- Prevent falls and improve your ability to do daily activities – Doing muscle-strengthening and balance exercises can prevent falls. Middle-aged and older adults who exercise also tend to have better ability to do daily activities than those who are inactive.
***Click this link for more details: https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/basics/pa-health/index.htm
Exercise is crucial for a long, happy, healthy life, and I’m here to help you add more movement and enjoyment to your life. Keep following this blog to learn more about working out and explore different exercises that will benefit you.
If you’re looking for a personal trainer to travel to your home and you live in or around central Maryland, contact me here.
See you next time!
=) Mary