Exercise: The Secret to Better Health

Want to be active at work? Feel less tired? Stay in a good mood? How about enjoying your favourite dessert without guilt? If your answer was yes to all the above questions- exercise is your solution. Being physically fit offers far more benefits than just the obvious! If you are looking for some motivation to get you off your couch, here are some fitness facts for you!

1.Helps you lose weight:  Exercise can help you lose weight. Reducing 5 to 10% of your body weight can improve your health and reduce your chances of getting chronic diseases.

The theory behind losing weight is burning more calories than you consume. Cardio or aerobic exercises like swimming, walking, running and cycling help burn more calories per time. Moreover, incorporating cardio in your lifestyle can also help you manage your metabolic health.

Resistance training i.e. weight lifting also has far-reaching benefits. It helps you increase the overall tone and strength of your muscles, which is beneficial for your health in the long run. Higher amounts of muscle aid in increasing metabolic health which eventually helps in burning more calories. Weight lifting also helps you in keeping the lost weight off your body, which is far more crucial than actually shedding weight.

It is however important to consult a doctor before going on any weight loss plan especially if you are suffering from a medical condition since cutting calories can be dangerous with medical conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure. National Medical Center can be a good option in this regard as it has multiple diabetologists and physicians on its panel who can help you figure out your weight loss plans.

2.Elevates your mood: Yes, you read it right, exercise does improve your mood! It is mainly because when you get moving, your brain releases endorphins, a chemical which fights against stress. Your body also produces dopamine, serotonin, BDNF, and norepinephrine when you exercise. This “happy hormone cocktail” of chemicals released in chorus helps relieve depression and anxiety.

Exercising also helps in reducing levels of stress-causing chemicals like adrenaline and cortisol in your body.

3.Reduces your chances of getting chronic diseases: Exercising improves blood circulation and increased blood flow eventually raises oxygen levels in your body. It strengthens your heart and reduces your chances of getting high cholesterol, heart attack and coronary artery disease. It also helps you maintain your blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Exercise is also linked to less cancer risk.

4.Strengthens your muscles and bones: Bones are living tissues and they respond to exercise by becoming stronger just like muscles during our formative years. As we work out, bones start building more cells and become denser.

Also, when a person becomes older, exercising helps in maintaining bone strength and in preventing falls that may result in bone breakage.

Resistance exercises, on the other hand, are great for both muscle and bone health. Strength or resistance training helps in increasing muscle mass and also improves muscle coordination and balance.

5.Improves your sleep schedule: Physical activity increases sleep duration and enhances sleep quality. Exercise can also promote sleep by cutting back stress and tiring you out. Consequently, a good night’s sleep promotes improved health by boosting muscle mass and repairing damaged cells and tissues.

As exercise improves your sleep schedule, that may aid in preventing insomnia as well.

6.Improvement in sexual life: Exercising increases blood flow that boosts better sexual function in men and women. Psychical activity- or strength training, increases testosterone levels, that improves sex drives of both men and women.

In addition, staying active lowers chances of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men and may also help those who already have it. An overall improvement in sex life reduces anxiety and boosts overall health.

7.Helpful in quitting smoking: Almost everyone knows that smoking is injurious to health, but quitting it is tough. Exercising can help you quit smoking by reducing your tobacco cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It can also help in limiting weight gain that you might face after quitting smoking.

8.Increases life expectancy: A regular moderate physical activity can increase life expectancy by several years.

It’s never too late to begin! You can start reaping all of the above benefits, just by incorporating light physical activities in your daily routine. Gradually keep on increasing their volume as soon as your body gets into the groove of exercising.

To achieve healthy living and nutrition, it is important to consult with your physician who can further refer you to a nutritionist if required. A nutritionist thcan tailor your fitness regime according to your body’s needs. Ali Medical center can be a good option in this regard as it has very competent physicians and nutritionists on its panel.



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