Exercise improves your health and wellness in many ways! Here are six benefits of exercise that go beyond losing weight:
Heart Health
Routine physical activity has proven to decrease the risk of high cholesterol, elevated blood pressure, heart attack and stroke. Regardless of the number on the weight scale, being physically active can increase your levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL) and lower your “bad” cholesterol (LDL). It can also help to improve your blood pressure, keeping it at a normal level of below 120/80.
Make sure to have your cholesterol and blood pressure levels checked routinely.
Blood Sugar
Even if you are not diabetic, regular physical activity can still help to improve your blood sugar levels. It can help control and even potentially reverse the disease for people who are pre-diabetic or have type 2 diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, blood sugar levels before a meal should be anywhere between 70-130 with an A1C below 7%.
Mood and Energy
Physical activity is a natural mood booster due to endorphins that are released in the body during exercise. These can help give you that emotional boost you need throughout the day and also help to relieve stress. Even something as simple as a quiet walk or yoga can help to improve your mood. With regular exercise, your body becomes more efficient so your heart and lungs do not have to work as hard. This means your body will have much more energy to spare!
Sleep
Sleep is one of the number one aspects of life that people want to improve. Implementing an exercise routine can help make it easier to fall and stay asleep at night. If you find yourself restless at bedtime, having trouble falling asleep or you feel like you are not properly rested by the time your alarm goes off in the morning – a regular routine of physical activity can help!
Brain Function
Getting up and moving can help to improve your brain function, too! Slowing memory loss and helping to enhance learning is just another wonderful effect that exercise can have on the brain. The hippocampus is the part of the brain that is responsible for both learning and memory, and research shows that exercise can boost the production of its cells.
Bone Density
Osteoporosis is a common disease in women as they age, but it can occur in men as well. Regular weight-bearing exercise, putting pressure on bones and joints, can help reduce the chance of bone loss. Activities such as walking, jogging, stair climbing and strength training are all exercise that have been proven to help slow and prevent the onset of osteoporosis.
Safe Start Fitness Program
Lake Health is proud to introduce Safe Start, a new exercise program for those who may have special medical needs or simply want to jumpstart healthy habits. This program is offered at our LiveHealthy fitness center in Mentor. In Safe Start, participants will work towards their goals with the support of health care providers and fitness experts. Learn more today! Get in touch with a Safe Start Coach at 440-375-8777.
