Benefits of Exercise

August 20, 2015 | All Articles, post-tsb-team |

We all know that exercise combined with a healthy, reduced calorie diet, is a great tool to help you lose weight by burning calories and building muscle, but there is so much more that exercise can help us with. Exercise is one of the most important tools to help us keep off the weight we have already lost. This is done in part by increasing muscle mass which in turn increases our body’s ability to burn calories and fat, even when we are resting. But the benefits of exercise go well beyond just helping us achieve weight loss and eventual weight maintenance. Below is a list of some of the many benefits of frequent exercise.

Improves quality of sleep by re-oxygenating the body
Relaxing exercises (ex: yoga or Pilates stretches) can relax muscles and induce sleep
Can stimulate growth hormone production, which is important in helping us maintain a healthy weight and muscle mass, and increases metabolism
Improves body shape by building more muscle and reducing inches, especially in the body’s midsection.
Reduces your risk of stroke, heart disease, and diabetes
Helps normalize blood sugars faster after a meal
Reduces blood pressure
Reduces anxiety and depression
Protects against falling, bone disease, and broken bones in the elderly
Lowers cholesterol levels
Keeps you healthier by reducing risk of getting a cold
Keeps bones, joints and muscles healthy
Reduces joint pain and swelling associated with arthritis
Protects against some cancers
Improves brain health
Moderate aerobic exercise helps produce endorphins (feel-good chemicals), which reduce pain and can produce a feeling of exhilaration
Decreases melatonin (sleepy hormone) levels, making us more alert and awake
Slows the aging process

This list is only the tip of the iceberg. Exercise is one of the best things you can do for yourself to help improve your mental and physical health. So get moving today!!

**Just remember to consult your physician before starting any kind of exercise routine to make sure it is safe for you to begin. Injury is a surefire way to stop your exercise efforts in their tracks. **