REASONS TO EXERCISE



REASONS TO EXERCISE

One of the best and most sensible gifts you can give yourself is the gift of health. Fortunately, the keys to maximizing your chances of achieving good health are fairly straightforward.

1. Exercise regularly

2. Eat sensibly

3. Avoid undue risk factors (e.g. smoking, drinking, and drugs)

The following is a list of benefits of exercise for you to peruse and consider the reasons why it is time for you to begin (or continue) an exercise program now.

EXERCISE:

1. Improves the functioning of your immune system (get sick less often).

2. Helps you lose weight – especially fat weight.

3. Improves the likelihood of your survival from a heart attack (myocardial infarction).

4. Improves your body posture.

5. Reduces your risk of heart disease.

6. Improves your body’s ability to use fat for energy during physical activity.

7. Helps the body resist upper respiratory infection.

8. Helps relieve the pain of tension headache.

9. Increases your physical working capacity.

10. Increases muscular strength.

11. Helps preserve lean body tissue.

12. Reduces your risk of developing high blood pressure (hypertension).

13. Increases the density and strength of connective tissue (tendons and ligaments).

14. Improves coronary (heart) circulation.

15. Increases HDL (good cholesterol).

16. Reduces triglycerides.

17. Helps maintain weight loss (unlike dieting alone)

18. Helps improve short-term memory in older individuals.

19. Reduces your risk of developing Type II diabetes (non-insulin dependant).

20. Improves your general mood.

21. Reduces level of anxiety.

22. Helps control blood pressure in people with hypertension.

23. Increases your level of muscular endurance.

24. Improves your athletic performance.

25. Increases the density and strength of your bones.

26. Assists in quitting smoking.

27. Helps boost creativity.

28. Lowers resting heart rate.

29. Allows you to work for longer amounts of time or at a greater intensity.

30. Helps you save money on medical and health care expenses.

31. Improves your recovery time after physical activity.

32. Helps increase your overall health awareness.

33. Improves your heat tolerance.

34. Increases your ability to adapt to a cold environment.

35. Increases thickness of cartilage in joints.

36. Helps to manage stress.

37. Helps you sleep easier and better.

38. Reduces you risk of developing colon cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer.

39. Helps relieve constipation.

40. Reduces your risk of having a stroke.

41. Helps to alleviate depression.

42. Helps maintain proper muscle balance.

43. Provides you with protection against injury.

44. Helps combat substance abuse.

45. Helps to alleviate some menstrual symptoms.

46. Helps alleviate low back pain.

47. Improves mental alertness.

48. Improves respiratory muscle strength and endurance (especially for asthmatics).

49. Helps burn excess calories.

50. Improves your physical appearance.

51. Improves you self-esteem.

52. Helps you relax.

53. Improves joint flexibility.

54. Allows you to consume greater amounts of food without gaining weight.

55. Protects against “creeping obesity” (the slow, but steady weight gain as you age),

56. Makes your heart work more efficiently.

57. Increases your productivity.

58. Reduces the chance for low back problems.

59. Improves balance and posture.

60. Gives you more vigor and energy throughout your day.

61. Helps prevent the development of osteoporosis.

62. Reduces missed work or school days due to illness.

63. Helps you maintain an independent lifestyle.

64. Improves your overall quality of life.

You don’t have to train like an Olympian to gain these positive benefits of exercise. You can achieve the health benefits of exercise by simply engaging in moderate physical activity (walking, climbing stairs, or participating in sports) for 30 minutes a day, most days of the week.

ASSIGNMENT…

1. Read through this list of benefits of exercise.

2. Highlight 5 or more benefits that are important to you.

3. Explain why each of those benefits are important to you.

4. Read through this list of benefits of exercise with a family member.

5. Highlight (in a different color) 5 or more benefits that are important to that family member.

6. Explain why those benefits are important to him/her.

7. Give a brief explanation why exercising regularly is a good idea for you and your family.

8. Have your family member sign at the bottom of your paper.

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