Why do people exercise? Well, once it's a habit, people exercise because it feels good, but a
lot of people begin an exercise program because they want to lose weight. If you're overweight, losing even a few pounds is a good thing, but there are lots of other reasons to exercise. If you're a Baby Boomer or Senior (heck, even if you're a twentysomething), regular exercise offers many benefits that will improve the quality of your life.
Let's face it, losing weight suggests deprivation and punishment. Many people are more successful at losing weight if they focus instead on gaining some of the other benefits of exercise, and letting the weight loss happen in its own time (and it will, if you keep it up and exercise a little common sense and portion control).
To get you started, here are 32 other benefits of exercise that you may not realize. Maybe something here will motivate you to get started.
- reduce stress
- sleep better
- lower blood pressure
- manage blood sugar
- improve your sense of self-efficacy
- improve flexibility
- improve balance
- maintain independence
- increase muscle mass
- increase metabolism
- reduce risk of heart disease
- reduce risk of dementia
- improve social connections
- increase endurance and stamina
- improve bone density
- decrease body fat
- decrease resting heart rate
- increase responsiveness to insulin
- increase lung capacity
- reduce anxiety
- improve body image
- increase libido
- alleviate depression
- speed up reaction time
- reduce risk of Type 2 diabetes
- reduce risk of stroke
- speed up gastrointestinal transit time
- improve blood lipid profiles
- enhance glucose utilization
- improve low back pain
- improve joint function and decrease arthritis pain
- increase size and number of cell mitochondria
What made you start your exercise program? Are you seeing any of these benefits of exercise in your own life? Share your story in the comments!
(photo credit: Lisa F. Young){{cta('bb9b35a1-9cf2-491f-aa45-ea639e171f90')}}
