Let’s get moving. Monday is a great day to start your week off moving your body. The benefits of exercise are numerous, here are a few health benefits of exercise:
- It helps you to lose weight and maintain weight loss.
- It can help prevent and manage health problems such as Diabetes, High Blood Pressure and Depression to name a few.
- It improves your mood and helps you manage stress. It stimulates natural brain chemicals that make you happy. Exercise is one of the treatments for those suffering from Depression and Anxiety.
- It increases your energy.
- Helps you to sleep better.
The American Heart Association recommends the following:
For overall Heart Health:
- At least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity at least 5 days per week for total of 150 minutes
OR
- At least 25 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity at least 3 days per week for a total of 75 minutes or a combination of moderate-and vigorous-intensity aerobic activity.
For Lowering Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure:
- An average of 40 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity aerobic activity 3 or 4 times per week.
Studies have shown that you are more likely to stick with an exercise program that you enjoy. There are numerous exercise options to choose from, such as tennis, Zumba, belly dancing, racquetball, volleyball, basketball, walking, jogging and swimming. Experiment and have fun while exercising.
For some of us, exercising is new. Perhaps you’ve had a sedentary life style and you don’t know where or how to begin. Also, you don’t think you can make it the whole 30 minutes. I recommend you start slow, start with a 5 minute walk and each week increase your time as you build your stamina and endurance.
Finally some of us are limited by illness, thus before starting an exercise program you should discuss your options with your doctor.
What ever your situation commit yourself to yourself and get moving to reap the rewards of exercise.
Watch dynamic Louisiana State University gymnast Lloiminicia Hall’s floor routine for some “fitinspiration:”
by Marjorie Binette, MD