Many of you are interested in how aerobic exercise is a benefit, so here’s my top ten reasons why we should want to get out and get moving!
Plus, when I regularly exercise, I am more productive and I think better because more oxygen to the brain means an increased ability to think and reason. Now that is good news!
1. Exercise increases your stamina and endurance. This ought to excite you. If you find yourself exhausted at the end of the day—too tired to even enjoy your family—you need to make regular exercise a part of your life. Once it becomes a habit, you won’t want to give it up. You’ll feel too good!
2. Exercise reduces stress. Exercise activates your endorphins, causing a natural high and a sense of well-being.
3. Exercise reduces your risk for heart disease and stroke. Coronary heart disease is the leading killer in the United States, and nearly half of them are women.
4. Exercise strengthens your immune system. It actually increases your resistance to stress and illness.
5. Exercise strengthens your bones and joints. This is a very important benefit for women because strong bones and joints decrease a woman’s chance for osteoporosis.
6. Exercise decreases your appetite. You won’t be as hungry because exercise acts as a natural appetite suppressant.
7. Exercise will increase the number of calories you burn. This increase will accelerate your weight loss and encourage weight control.
8. Exercise will strengthen your heart and lungs so that they will work more efficiently. Exercise literally strengthens your heart muscle, and a stronger heart will last longer.
9. Exercise decreases a woman’s risk for breast cancer. Studies have shown that women who engage in exercise at least three times a week have a lessened chance of developing breast cancer.
10. Exercise decreases your blood pressure and blood cholesterol. Exercise decreases your blood pressure and LDL, or bad cholesterol, while raising your HDL, or good cholesterol.
A consistent aerobic workout, coupled with weight training and healthy eating, will get us to our goals. We can do it!
