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The Benefits of Exercise

One of the most known benefits of exercise is of course to burn calories and ultimately shed the kilos. But that's not the only reason to exercise.

If the sight of your spare tire alone doesn't push you to start moving, do it for your health. A regular exercise program can help you lead a longer, more productive life by warding off a host of frightening ailments including heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure, noninsulin-dependent diabetes, back pain and osteoporosis.

The benefits of exercise transcend just the physical. Apart from making you look good, exercise also makes you feel good. Various studies show that some of the priceless benefits of exercise are to counter depression, manage stress and lift moods. Moderate exercises also help insomnias sleep better.

Different Types of Exercise

Basically, there are three types of exercises.

Cardio or aerobics which elevates your heart rate and burn calories. This includes activities such as walking, jogging, running, swimming and dancing, anything that makes you breathe harder.
Strength training which builds muscle density and ultimately helps burn calories by raising your metabolism. Without muscle mass, we're left with bad backs, weaker bones, softer bellies, lower energy levels and lower metabolism.
Stretching is also important to increase flexibility, improve posture and avoid injury. What many may not know is stretching before an exercise is as important as stretching after a workout.

Ideally, you should do 30 minutes of cardio 3 times a week, strength training 2 times a week and stretching 2 times a week. Or you can combine all three for a full workout 3 times a week.

More Facts on the Importance of Exercise

People who are physically active have a much lower risk of developing chronic illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers
Regular exercise can help the elderly avoid disability
Expecting mothers who do not exercise regularly have more complications during and after pregnancy
Exercise elevates your mood, making you and those around you happier. People no longer cross the street when you approach!
Physical activity after menopause reduces breast cancer risk
Exercise improves your confidence level and raises your self esteem
Exercising regularly makes you eat less by suppressing appetite hormones
Exercise can reduce nicotine cravings for those who are trying to quit smoking

If all these do not offer enough motivation, consider this - Regular exercise improves your sex life!

So what are you waiting for? Start exercising today. But don't kill yourself. That would defeat the purpose of exercising, wouldn't it? Start slowly. Do what you enjoy. Exercising should be fun. Just keep moving and you'll get there.