Fit for Life: The Number One Reason to Exercise Revealed

Saturday, December 07, 2013

 

View Larger +

According to Matt Espeut, the number one reason people exercise is because it makes them feel good both mentally and physically.

After approximately 20 Fit for Life articles, with ideas, topics, and advice flowing freely to you, GoLocal readers, I found myself on a Thursday night, with a Friday deadline looming before me, wound up from teaching my spin class, and wondering why this week’s focus wasn’t coming to me. I was looking for a fresh idea, an inspiration to write, so I thought about a few encounters I had had this week. First, was friend who talked about how good it feels when you get in more than three workouts in a weeks time. Then, there was my colleague at the gym – the “beast”, we call him - who told me that he was bummed out that work was busy and he had missed the gym all last week. I reassured him that you couldn't tell he missed a beat, and he replied "but I notice - and feel it". I knew just what he was talking about. Finally, there was my client who I hadn't seen since Thanksgiving, and hearing her tell me how she felt so much better after our session today. Then, the week’s topic hit me.

The number one reason to exercise

I found the number one most important reason to exercise. Not for health, not for aesthetics, not for performance, and not for longevity - but because it makes you feel good. Both physically and mentally you just feel good after properly performed exercise. Physically it gets your blood pumping, lubricates your joints and stimulates endorphins.

Endorphins ("endogenous morphine") are endogenous opioid peptides that function as neurotransmitters.[1] They are produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus in vertebrates during exercise,[2] excitement, pain, spicy food consumption, love, and sexual activity,[3][4] and they resemble the opiates in their abilities to produce analgesia and a feeling of well-being.
In other words it elevates your mood and gives you more energy.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

And let's not forget the "pump" you get after a bout with the weights, or the clean feeling of fresh air in your lungs after an outside workout. And the best physical benefit is that your posture improves as your core gets stronger, which makes you stand taller, alleviating many aches and pains.

Mental well-being

Mentally it takes away the stresses of the day. If you have been sitting in one place all day, your mind needs to unwind, and working out can put you in another place. When you are working out your main focus is on breathing and lifting with proper form and not the laptop you left in the car. It also builds your self-esteem - thinking that you are looking better makes you feel sexier, and helps build confidence. If you are doing cardio you can let your imagination run wild. Put on some great tunes, and be a beast! Or, just meditate and go for a walk. Whatever your choice, just do something that gets you up and moving gets your blood pumping, and puts your mind at ease, you, too, will feel better. If you don't believe me, ask someone else that exercises, they will give you that confirmation.

 

View Larger +

Matt Espeut has worked as a personal trainer for almost 20 years with clients ranging in age from 14 to 86. His focus is on overall health, strength, and functional conditioning. Holistic health and nutrition is the cornerstone of all his programs. Matt works in private and small group training available at your home or office location or at gym facilities. Matt offers his services to everyone wanting to be more fit and healthy, overweight young people, youth/collegiate athletes, and seniors. Matt has worked and continues to train at several facilities in the Providence area including Gold's Gym and CORE Studio, and he believes continued education is a must in his field. Email Matt: [email protected], check out his website at www.fitnessprofiles.net or on Facebook at Matt Espeut or on Twitter @MattEspeut.

 

Related Slideshow: Check Out The Grades: Rhode Island Hospitals Report Card

A recent survey released by The Leapfrog Group assigns a Hospital Safety Score, using the report card system of A to F to each of the hospitals in Rhode Island. These grades are based on expert analysis of injuries, infections and errors that cause harm or death during a hospital stay.

Let's see how each of Rhode Island's hospitals were graded from highest to lowest:

View Larger +
Prev Next

South County Hospital

Wakefield, RI

 

Fall 2013 Grade: A

Spring 2013 Grade: A

View Larger +
Prev Next

Kent County Memorial Hospital

Warwick, RI

 

Fall 2013 Grade: B

Spring 2013 Grade: C

View Larger +
Prev Next

Memorial Hospital of RI

Pawtucket, RI

 

Fall 2013 Grade: B

Spring 2013 Grade: Not Graded*

 

*Not graded due to lack of publicly available data

View Larger +
Prev Next

Miriam Hospital

Providence, RI

 

Fall 2013 Grade: B

Spring 2013 Grade: B

View Larger +
Prev Next

Newport Hospital

Newport, RI

 

Fall 2013 Grade: C

Spring 2013 Grade: B

View Larger +
Prev Next

Rhode Island Hospital

Providence, RI

 

Fall 2013 Grade: C

Spring 2013 Grade: C

View Larger +
Prev Next

Roger Williams Medical Center

Providence, RI

 

Fall 2013 Grade: C

Spring 2013 Grade: C

View Larger +
Prev Next

St. Joseph Health Services of Rhode Island

Providence, RI

 

Fall 2013 Grade: C

Spring 2013 Grade: B

View Larger +
Prev Next

Landmark Medical Center

Woonsocket, RI

 

Fall 2013 Grade: Not Graded*

Spring 2013 Grade: Not Graded*

 

*Not graded due to lack of publicly available data

View Larger +
Prev Next

Women & Infants Hospital of RI

Providence, RI

 

Fall 2013 Grade: Not Graded*

Spring 2013 Grade: Not Graded*

 

*Not graded due to lack of publicly available data

View Larger +
Prev Next

Westerly Hospital

Westerly, RI

 

Fall 2013 Grade: Not Graded*

Spring 2013 Grade: Not Graded*

 

*Not graded due to lack of publicly available data

 
 

Enjoy this post? Share it with others.

 
 

Sign Up for the Daily Eblast

I want to follow on Twitter

I want to Like on Facebook