Fit for Life: Exercise happens for a reason…
Saturday, December 20, 2014
I started working out to get bigger and look better. When I started in the fitness business 20 years ago, I remember when people would work out to drop a few pounds. Or get ready for beach season. Fast-forward to today and it seems as though more people start exercising due to high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Sometimes it’s a life or death situation to lose weight and become more fit. Whatever your reason to start or continue to exercise, here are a few more reasons many people don’t know about – but might just inspire you to get started…
Exercise Increases Your Sex Drive.
First, exercise not only makes you feel more desirable, it stimulates blood flow, which releases endorphins that release testosterone and other hormones. Second, you will have a better self-image and that enhancement leads to a greater sex drive. A big part of better sex is feeling sexy. Research shows that people who exercise have an improved body image over people who do not exercise. Being more comfortable with your body leads to better and more relaxed sex.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTExercise Makes You Smarter.
Studies have shown that exercise releases brain chemicals that help with the retention process of new information. The reason for this is when you exercise, your blood pressure and blood flow increases, which in turn shuttles more oxygen through the entire body – brain included. It raises your focus for up to two to three hours afterwards, so it is advisable to work out just before a test or presentation, so you will peak when you perform. On a more scientific level, it makes the hippocampus super active, and when you rev up these neurons, cognitive function improves. This pattern works better with regular exercise, because the benefits can quickly recede. So be regular with your exercise patterns, not hit or miss.
Exercise Aids Indigestion.
If the food we eat doesn’t get digested properly, a whole lot of problems can arise in the body, such as: gastrointestinal issues, acidity, acid reflux, heartburn, constipation, bloating, and even bad breath. This is why healthy digestion is probably the most important element to your health. If you can’t utilize good nutrients, and eliminate bad bacteria, you end up sick, diseased, and overweight. During exercise, your heart rate and breathing increase, thus stimulating muscles that support the digestive tract, which in turn makes it more active and efficient.
So what will be your reason? Find the motivation that works best for you. If you don’t have the motivation and drive to start it yourself, come to Providence Fit Body Boot Camp, and I will get you going. Working with a coach will get you there more effectively and efficiently. If one of these inspires you to get started, then go with it, but remember, ultimately it is your health that is at stake. And that impacts all the people around you – your spouse or partner, your children, your family. It impacts your ability to earn a living. Being healthy helps you have a positive outlook in life. You're more likely to be happy, in general. We all need to keep moving – the rewards just keep adding up – so, start now, and let me know what motivates you! Leave me a message on Facebook or Twitter….and I’ll share your motivation with others. We’re all in this life together – let’s make it a healthy one! (On Facebook at Providence Fit Body Boot Camp; on Twitter - @MattEspeut)
Related Slideshow: New England’s Healthiest States 2013
The United Health Foundation recently released its 2013 annual reoprt: America's Health Rankings, which provides a comparative state by state analysis of several health measures to provide a comprehensive perspective of our nation's health issues. See how the New England states rank in the slides below.
Definitions
All Outcomes Rank: Outcomes represent what has already occurred, either through death, disease or missed days due to illness. In America's Health Rankings, outcomes include prevalence of diabetes, number of poor mental or physical health days in last 30 days, health disparity, infant mortality rate, cardiovascular death rate, cancer death rate and premature death. Outcomes account for 25% of the final ranking.
Determinants Rank: Determinants represent those actions that can affect the future health of the population. For clarity, determinants are divided into four groups: Behaviors, Community and Environment, Public and Health Policies, and Clinical Care. These four groups of measures influence the health outcomes of the population in a state, and improving these inputs will improve outcomes over time. Most measures are actually a combination of activities in all four groups.
Diabetes Rank: Based on percent of adults who responded yes to the question "Have you ever been told by a doctor that you have diabetes?" Does not include pre-diabetes or diabetes during pregnancy.
Smoking Rank: Based on percentage of adults who are current smokers (self-report smoking at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and currently smoke).
Obesity Rank: Based on percentage of adults who are obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of 30.0 or higher.
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