Exercise
Exercise is an essential aspect of human health and the one that is least overlooked. Many people looking to improve their health start by engaging in some form of exercise. Exercise is important because it affects many different bodily systems including the lymphatic, cardiovascular, digestive, and skeletal systems, as well as aiding in improving mood and memory. There are many different forms of exercise. Running, cycling, and swimming are aerobic exercises that mostly develop cardiovascular strength while lifting weights and bodyweight exercises are anaerobic exercises that mostly develop strength. Other exercises like yoga combine elements of strength, balance, and endurance.
Cardiovascular or aerobic exercise, also called cardio, includes exercises such as walking, jogging, biking, swimming, and hiking. Cardio exercises improve the health of the heart and cardiovascular system, pump lymph fluid helping to detoxify the body, and help to reduce stress and anxiety. Regular cardiovascular exercise can also assist in managing and preventing chronic conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, digestion, and constipation. The entire body functions better when we move it on a regular basis.
Anaerobic exercises include weight lifting, interval training, sprinting, and body weight exercises. Strength training, obviously, helps to build muscle, but it also increases bone density and supports healthy joints. In addition to increased muscle mass and bone density, we need a strong body to maintain proper posture. Although we don’t talk about posture much, it is essential to proper brain function and the function of all joints and organs. Keeping our strength as we age can also allow us to continue to be physically active throughout our lives.
There is much debate as to what the best exercise routine is. However, I believe the less of a routine we have the better. For example, if we want a well rounded physical body that is optimally healthy, it is better to jog, swim, do yoga, and body weight exercises throughout the week than to go for a run every day. When we do different physical activities we are moving, strengthening, and stretching our bodies in different ways which results in a well rounded strong body. That being said, the best exercise is the one that you enjoy doing. If you find something you love to do, you are much more likely to be consistent with it and that is what truly matters.
Many people begin an exercise program with the goal of losing weight. While weight loss is greatly improved by exercise, exercise alone is not enough to experience significant or lasting weight loss. You may know someone who exercises on a regular basis, but is still overweight. This is because diet is the most important part of weight loss. Without a proper diet, exercise may do little to nothing for weight loss. For optimum weight loss, exercise consistently and consume a healthy diet.
Cardiovascular or aerobic exercise, also called cardio, includes exercises such as walking, jogging, biking, swimming, and hiking. Cardio exercises improve the health of the heart and cardiovascular system, pump lymph fluid helping to detoxify the body, and help to reduce stress and anxiety. Regular cardiovascular exercise can also assist in managing and preventing chronic conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, digestion, and constipation. The entire body functions better when we move it on a regular basis.
Anaerobic exercises include weight lifting, interval training, sprinting, and body weight exercises. Strength training, obviously, helps to build muscle, but it also increases bone density and supports healthy joints. In addition to increased muscle mass and bone density, we need a strong body to maintain proper posture. Although we don’t talk about posture much, it is essential to proper brain function and the function of all joints and organs. Keeping our strength as we age can also allow us to continue to be physically active throughout our lives.
There is much debate as to what the best exercise routine is. However, I believe the less of a routine we have the better. For example, if we want a well rounded physical body that is optimally healthy, it is better to jog, swim, do yoga, and body weight exercises throughout the week than to go for a run every day. When we do different physical activities we are moving, strengthening, and stretching our bodies in different ways which results in a well rounded strong body. That being said, the best exercise is the one that you enjoy doing. If you find something you love to do, you are much more likely to be consistent with it and that is what truly matters.
Many people begin an exercise program with the goal of losing weight. While weight loss is greatly improved by exercise, exercise alone is not enough to experience significant or lasting weight loss. You may know someone who exercises on a regular basis, but is still overweight. This is because diet is the most important part of weight loss. Without a proper diet, exercise may do little to nothing for weight loss. For optimum weight loss, exercise consistently and consume a healthy diet.