Let’s count the ways the body benefits with exercise:
Before starting an exercise program, especially if you have been sedentary, (a couch potato), consult a doctor to make sure you do not have any underlying conditions that could be a problem. Once you have been cleared, commit to an exercise program, start slow and gradually increase intensity. Make exercise a priority, maybe get a buddy to make it more enjoyable as well as accountable, then pick the days and times you will exercise and stick to it for life. I personally prefer to work out first thing in the morning, then there are no excuses. Workout/exercise three to five times a week, by six weeks, you should notice a positive difference in how you feel. At first you may experience some soreness, but all that means is you are working your body in ways it is not used to, which is great!
The benefits of exercise include but are not limited to the following: Improved sleep, improved gastrointestinal motility, improved brain function, more energy, stronger heart and lungs, stronger bones and muscles, improved posture, better balance, improved mental state, etc. The list goes on and on. Pick an activity you like and stick to it, or mix it up, just do something!
Some examples of great exercise include walking, swimming, dancing, biking, yoga, weight lifting, circuit training, Tai Chi, martial arts, boxing, gardening, hiking, etc. Again, the list is endless. The best exercise/activity for your body is the one you will do. – commit to doing. The body was meant to move, so move it. Right now there are more opportunities to exercise for people of all ages, so take advantage of them. Groups are great because they add a social component, which adds to the fun and accountability. The better shape you are in prior to an injury or illness, the better you are able to deal with and/or recover from it. George Bernard Shaw once said: ”We don’t stop playing when we grow old, we grow old, when we stop playing.”
A physical therapist can help you get moving again, especially if you have any problems with your balance, joints, muscles, or endurance, that keep you from participating in various activities with confidence. So, the best exercise/activity is the one you will do. The body was meant to move, so move it.
As always, check with your doctor first, then get moving, and get more out of life!
