If you don’t like exercise then you’d better skip this post!
I have found over the last few years, how much exercise benefits me both physically and mentally.
I am also amazed at the other benefits such as:-
- It improves brain performance. Cardiovascular exercise helps to create new brain cells and the production of brain cells responsible for learning and memory can be increased. Done regularly, it can improve goal setting, organization and discipline.
- It can boost confidence.
- It boosts the immune system. After a session, our bodies produce more antibodies which attack bacteria and viruses. The more often we exercise, the longer those antibodies circulate in our systems.
- The more muscle mass we have, the more fat our bodies burn while we rest.
- It helps to prevent ageing by reducing inflammation in the body that comes with this process. A recent study on older people who have exercised all their lives, have defied the ageing process. They had the immunity, muscle mass and cholesterol levels of a young person; compared with others of a similar age and younger adults who don’t exercise regularly.
- When exercising, sweat releases dirt through our pores which reduces acne and breakouts.
- It helps with sleeping but exercising in the evenings could actually disrupt sleep for some people.
Despite what some may think, exercise does not make you thin. However, a lack of it could cause long term implications for our health such as heart disease, increased risk of osteoporosis, (weight bearing exercises can help to reduce this), back and joint pain.
So, it’s vital we exercise. We’re not designed to sit all day. The key is finding exercise that suits us individually. This could be going to the gym, playing sports, gardening, walking, local zumba classes or dancing around our living rooms with our pooches! (I tried this with my cat. He wasn’t impressed!)
I was the original couch potato. I was hopeless at sport at school. I’m uncoordinated and can not run fast. The only physical activity I was any good at was swimming and I’d win a gold medal in holding books and turning the pages!
As the years went by, my lower back ached. I did various jobs which required me to sit on my bum for hours at a time. The only exercise I did during those times was going out on infrequent walks.
My other half, on the other hand, is obsessed with sports/exercise and is a regular gym goer. I had no interest in gyms whatsoever.
About 10 years ago, I started to run and found to my greatest surprise that I love it! But, I got carried away, ran for miles and developed piriformis syndrome- literally a pain in my ass! I persevered and it worsened and my right knee ached ominously.
About 4 years ago, I started a physically demanding job. My back ached even more and my sciatica became so bad, at times I had to hold on to the bannister when going upstairs.
I decided, at last, to go to the gym; something I thought I’d never do. Over time, I noticed my knee rarely aches, I hardly get any back pain and I only experience a slight pain in my bum when it’s cold.
Nowadays, I’m stronger, have more energy, more confident, eat more healthily, (I’ve lost the best part of 2 stones) and enjoy my running without the aches and pains.
Sources
Realbuzz.com, athletics.carleton.ca, everydayhealth.com, sciencedaily.com
Jasperden Health 