Run For Your Life!

You Can't Afford To Avoid Exercise

Exercise

YOU NEED AN HOLISTIC APPROACH

The problem some people have is that they focus nearly all their energy on one facet of health, e.g. taking exercise while paying little or no attention to nutrition, water and getting enough sunshine. This half-hearted approach is likely to leave gaps in the defence system that would protect from disease and the impairment of mental health. Each of the discussions in the Healthy Body, Healthy Mind series is important. TWhen you take seriously the information presented in all the health articles you are more likely to achieve optimum health, happiness and a feeling of wellbeing. Be patient, in only two or three weeks of regular exercise; you will begin to feel a real difference. If you over-do it you will start to feel a real difference alright, but in the wrong way. Take it easy and build up moderately. I advise you to seek professional, medical advice before commence exercising or change your exercise regime.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 

Go to Multimedia Library - Exercise

PREPARATION FOR A BETTER LIFE

• Get professional medical advice before you make changes to your lifestyle
• Get into a routine
• Set goals
• Productive exercise is better, e.g. gardening
• Plan a variety of activities
• Keep a record of your progress
• Morning exercise gets you going for the day
• Plan vacations with activity in mind

PHYSICAL BENEFITS

• The function of every organ of the body is improved
• Improves blood circulation
• Reduces fat
• Increases muscle mass
• Sleep comes more easily
• Gives you a better sleep
• Gives an energy boost
• Increases strength, flexibility, agility and endurance
• Builds stronger bones
• Helps avoid injuries

MENTAL BENEFITS

• Gets more oxygen to the brain improving brain functioning
• Produces endorphins, the 'feel-good' hormones
• Relaxes
• Distracts from stressful thoughts
• Boosts happiness levels
• Improves memory & learning
• Increases self-confidence, self-worth and self-respect
• Can be inexpensive
• Mental health increases
• Sharpens the mind
• Helps with overcoming addictions
• Aids in managing anger
• Improves self-control

DISEASE PREVENTION AND HEALING BENEFITS

• Lowers risk of many diseases and disorders
• Reduces healing time for injuries and surgery
• Assists in fighting disease
• Sweats out toxins
• Reduces risk of heart disease and stroke
• Builds a stronger heart
• Assists in weight control
• Lowers the risk and assists in reversing hypertension (blood pressure)
• Lowers risk of type 2 diabetes
• Reduces risk of some cancers
• Decreases the risk and helps reverse osteoarthritis
• Lessens stress, anxiety and depression
• Helps with overcoming panic attacks
• Can help with many mental health disorders
• Improves the immune system

SOCIAL BENEFITS

• Encourages others to exercise
• It is bonding
• Make new friends
• Develops character
• It's fun doing things together
• Join friends for walk
• Invite friends for a workout
• Work with your family keeping the yard and garden looking great
• Get the family involved
• Go to fun-runs and other social sporting events
• Avoid high-risk sporting activities
• Play in a team sport
• The emphasis in team sports should be on having fun, not winning

GET MORE EXERCISE

• Interval workouts
• Explore your suburb
• Walking is one of the best exercises
• Get off the bus or train a stop early
• Travel to work differently
• Park away from the shopping centre entrance
• Do regular floor exercises
• Walk the dog
• Take the stairs
• Throwing stones into the water, right and left hand
• Climbing trees
• Take a long way round
• Use the car less
• Buy a bicycle and use it
• Try TV workouts - outdoors is always better
• Gardening
• Try some new active sport

ANOTHER MOTIVATING LIST
Research indicates that people who do regular physical activity have:

• up to a 35% lower risk of coronary heart disease and stroke
• up to a 50% lower risk of type 2 diabetes
• up to a 50% lower risk of colon cancer
• up to a 20% lower risk of breast cancer
• a 30% lower risk of early death
• up to an 83% lower risk of osteoarthritis
• up to a 68% lower risk of hip fracture
• a 30% lower risk of falls (among older adults)
• up to a 30% lower risk of depression
• up to a 30% lower risk of dementia

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/exercise-health-benefits/

Probably the most extensive and beneficial list of exercise benefits is provided by Fitnezz. Check out the link below.

60+ Benefits of Exercise - The Unlimited List

IT'S A REAL BARGAIN!
I hope you have studied the lists above carefully. The only conclusion a thinking person can come to is that the benefits will far outweigh the time and effort you put into exercising. Remember it only takes about a month to establish a habit, but it only takes a break or two to lose the motivation. Sometimes you might be forced, for some reason or other,  to take a break from exercise but get back into it as soon as possible. Don't go by your feelings; they go up and down for various reasons. Make your decision to get more exercise on principle. Here is a chance to develop the best character traits of self-control and self-denial, self-denial of the nice warm bed on a winter's morning. Exercising with a friend does give you that little bit more motivation.

Do it For Yourself and Your Family, or Just Do it to Live Longer
Go to Multimedia Library - Exercise

By
Richard Warden