Saturday, December 31, 2011

Physical Activity and Exercise - A Powerful Combination

By Dr Graeme Teague


Nearly everyone knows and understands the many benefits associated with physical activity and exercise. And yet many of them are frustrated and never do it. Of course if people knew the true benefits of exercise and how exciting they are, maybe more people would feel compelled to try again. Seriously, sometimes that is all it comes down to because it is easy to find an excuse to avoid exercise. In most cases it all comes down to a yes or no choice. Perhaps these three healthy benefits related to exercise and physical activity will help motivate you.

Did you know that muscles are important for the purpose of burning calories. Most people probably have no idea about it. Strong and toned muscles burn more calories than softer, flabbier muscles. These tissues are what is known as metabolically active. Soft muscles spread out and take up a lot of space while firm muscle mass is lean and dense. The end result is a body that burns calories even when not actively exercising. Men are able to lose fat more easily than women because of this muscle mass. You can use your exercise routine to make a positive impact on your sense of self esteem. There are no words to describe the feeling of pride and accomplishment you'll feel as the weight that has been holding you back comes off. Because these things make you feel better about who you are and what you've accomplished, your self esteem will also improve. The unintended consequence is that this new sense of self you're experiencing will bleed over, in a positive way, to other aspects of your life.

Such elevations in your body chemistry can be effective ways to reduce depression or other mood related disorders. When you get into the habit of exercising, you can improve your overall emotional state over time. Any type of exercise, including regular walks, can contribute to elevated moods.

Pregnant women also enjoy many benefits of regular exercise. Talk to your doctor about exercises that are safe and encouraged during pregnancy. It isn't a wise choice to start an exercise program without your physician's approval. 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. Don't forget to keep stretching as part of your exercise routine. The benefits of regular exercise have been proven to be far reaching. It is better to do some exercises rather than none even if you are physically limited. After a long period of inactivity it is wise to seek medical attention and permission before starting an exercise regimen. Start slow and work up to a full exercise program. It is more important to get off to a slow start and have patience while you build-up. This will reduce the risk of injury and put you in a prime position for sustainable results.

The above advantages of physical activity and exercise are really just the tip of the iceberg. This isn't something with limited benefits, but something that improves your body as a whole. It also produces noticeable changes for the better in your moods and emotional states. It can even improve your social and professional life, as you'll start to appear friendlier and more positive because of your better moods.




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