When I ask my new training clients what their fitness goals are, the most frequent response is, "I want to lose weight." Whether the desire is to lose ten pounds or one hundred, a change in physical appearance is often the primary concern of many gym members. And it's an admirable goal, to be sure, but there are also countless hidden benefits of regular exercise. Here are just a few:
* Increased metabolism and energy
* Improved sleep patterns
* Lower blood pressure
* Increased bone density and prevention of osteoporosis
* Improved circulation
* Increased "good" cholesterol and decreased "bad" cholesterol
* Prevention of joint problems
* Better posture and balance (helping to reduce the risk of bone-breaking falls)
* Prevention of injury
* Reduced risk of diabetes
* Better stress management
Good grief, if there were a magic pill that could do all that, every one of us would be taking it, wouldn't we? Well, this "pill" is easily obtained, affordable, and available to everyone. Let's get on with it!
In addition to the visible and not-so-visible benefits, regular exercise gives us lifestyle choices. It ensures that we'll be able to enjoy our current activities in the future. Whether your sport of choice is golf, tennis, skiing, running, or ping-pong, keeping your body strong and flexible now will enable you to continue participating for years to come. And when the elevator breaks down, you'll be able to climb the stairs to your office without alarming your co-workers by your breathlessness. You'll be able to pick up your children or grandchildren without back pain. And should you stumble and fall, you can pick yourself up and laugh it off rather than race to the emergency room for X-rays and casting.
It comes down to this: If it's true that life is what happens while we're busy making other plans, let's be sure we're prepared. While you can't anticipate every bump in the road, exercise regularly to strengthen and maintain your body so you're better able to cope with the unexpected. Then, if you're injured in an accident or diagnosed with a challenging disease, you'll already have taken vital steps to help you survive it and recover quickly. Be strong. Expect curve balls. Be ready for anything!
* Increased metabolism and energy
* Improved sleep patterns
* Lower blood pressure
* Increased bone density and prevention of osteoporosis
* Improved circulation
* Increased "good" cholesterol and decreased "bad" cholesterol
* Prevention of joint problems
* Better posture and balance (helping to reduce the risk of bone-breaking falls)
* Prevention of injury
* Reduced risk of diabetes
* Better stress management
Good grief, if there were a magic pill that could do all that, every one of us would be taking it, wouldn't we? Well, this "pill" is easily obtained, affordable, and available to everyone. Let's get on with it!
In addition to the visible and not-so-visible benefits, regular exercise gives us lifestyle choices. It ensures that we'll be able to enjoy our current activities in the future. Whether your sport of choice is golf, tennis, skiing, running, or ping-pong, keeping your body strong and flexible now will enable you to continue participating for years to come. And when the elevator breaks down, you'll be able to climb the stairs to your office without alarming your co-workers by your breathlessness. You'll be able to pick up your children or grandchildren without back pain. And should you stumble and fall, you can pick yourself up and laugh it off rather than race to the emergency room for X-rays and casting.
It comes down to this: If it's true that life is what happens while we're busy making other plans, let's be sure we're prepared. While you can't anticipate every bump in the road, exercise regularly to strengthen and maintain your body so you're better able to cope with the unexpected. Then, if you're injured in an accident or diagnosed with a challenging disease, you'll already have taken vital steps to help you survive it and recover quickly. Be strong. Expect curve balls. Be ready for anything!
4 comments:
I appreciate this posting since I am one of those who needs that kick in the pants every so often. Having a friend or group is always helpful in keeping one accountable. However, without that I try to keep the following in mind. One of Marilyn's clients sustained serious injuries in an auto accident several years ago, and I wondered if she would ever be able to return to her normal activities. Her testimony in support of staying fit is encouraging. When I finally had an opportunity to chat with her, she verified that if it had not been for the hidden benefits of regular exercise, she would not have recovered as quickly or completely as she did. I need to remember that story for my own encouragement when I sometimes just don't feel like "moving." Thanks for helping us all to BE READY, my little one.
Thank you so much for your words of wisdom. You have such a way with words. I love exercise and of course some days are better than others but after exercising all days feel better. I appreciate your constant encouragement to us all. Also, regular exercise does make you look better in your clothes. Thanks to you Marilyn I have received several compliments from a business associate of Larry's who is very young,he says he hopes he as a wife that looks as good as I do when she is my age. Is this a compliment???? Thanks for all you do for me, Marilyn.
I take the 'use it or lose it' attitude when coming up with motivation for exercising.
I was intrigued by recent article about how exercise can strengthen your brain and may help with warding off alzheimers!! Check it out.
http://lifehacker.com/5845178/how-physical-exercise-can-strengthen-your-brain
Barb, the news just keeps getting better! Why would anyone NOT exercise, for heaven's sake? And I could not agree more with the "use it or lose it" approach. With regard to many aspects of our lives, truer words were never spoken. Thanks for your comments!
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