Saturday, November 5, 2011

Why Everyone Needs Physical Activity and Exercise

By Dr Graeme Teague


Do you have an inkling that increased physical activity or an exercise regimen of some kind is just what you need right now? If this is the case, you should consider the possibility that your body is sending you a message. The fact is, our bodies can tell us things that we're not consciously aware of. Left to its own devices, your body would choose to be vibrant, healthy and energetic. You can have all those benefits with a sound fitness program that is right for you. You may be glad to know that you don't have to get ready for the Olympics, as long as you begin an exercise program that you follow regularly. Let's go over some of the advantages of physical activity and exercise and how to get started enjoying them.

Speaking of weight control and calories, do you have any idea how large a role muscles play when it comes to burning calories? Most people probably have no idea about it. Soft flabby muscles burn fewer calories than those that are toned and strong. These tissues are what is known as metabolically active. The firm muscles are lean and compact while the opposite is true of the softer muscle masses. This means that even when you aren't exactly exercising your body can still be burning calories. The fact that men often have a larger mass of firm muscles is the reason it's generally easier for them to shed fat. Regular exercise also prepares the body to better fight off common illnesses, colds, and viruses. The overall mechanisms involved are highly complex as you can imagine. It all hinges upon the fact that your blood circulates faster in your body when you exercise regularly. What this means is that there is more oxygen in the blood and your body is able to respond to foreign matter much faster.

That elevated mood state is important for reducing the symptoms associated with depression. As fitness building activities are naturally mood enhancing, you may start to feel more positive about life in general. Walking can also help you experience such feelings of well being.

Exercise has a tremendously positive effect for pregnant women. Just be sure to consult your doctor for safe exercise. It's not wise to begin any exercise program or routine without first discussing it with your doctor. It is well-known that the pregnancy term including delivery and recovery can all benefit from exercising. Your body is better able to handle the pain of delivery and pregnancy as the result of exercise. There are some reports that women who have exercised during their pregnancy tend to require less medication during labor. Stretching is an important exercise to include during pregnancy. The benefits of regular exercise have been proven to be far reaching. Even if you can't do many exercises it is better to get a few done than to do nothing at all. Talk to your doctor before you start exercising again after a long period of inactivity. Also, if you are just getting back into things, take it easy and slow in the beginning. You absolutely must begin slowly and be patient with your progress. Doing this means you can enjoy sustainable results and, at the same time, lowers your risk of injury.

For almost all people, there really is no excuse for not engaging in some form of physical activity or exercise. If you can't spare more than a half hour, or even fifteen minutes at a time, that's still enough to get in a workout. Doing this three times per week is all you need, and you should be able to manage this. Is ten or twenty minutes too much to invest in your future health and well being? It's always preferable to work out as much as you can, even if you're not able to do long sessions. You should get medical advice if you have any health concerns about starting a fitness program.




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