BACK TO THE BASICS
My purpose in writing about workouts and related topics in my website – www.myworkoutathome.com – is to spread encouragement to my readers. Encouragement to consistently stay active!
I also place relevant links within the articles, since this is a business venture. Clicks on the links and any purchases may produce small commissions for me. This never has any effect upon the pricing. To the contrary, I am able to point out specials that I find.
Today seems to be a good day to emphasize why we benefit from exercise – how it impacts our health – what are the lasting effects upon our bodies.
THE MAYO CLINIC
Is a source that I use often. I have signed up to receive email notices from them and will continue to pass on what I find.
Here is an informative discussion on the topic of exercise. Very interesting!
The Mayo Clinic gives us seven reasons why we will benefit from regular exercise:
(1) We can control our weight – we burn calories as we exercise and more so as we increase the intensity. The key is to be consistent. I have personally found this easy to do, especially when I actively played sports in my younger years. I never thought of basketball, tennis or other sports as being a means to control my weight. It was fun!
(2) We can fight disease. Physical activity boosts HDL cholesterol, the good cholesterol. It also decreases triglycerides. We can control concerns such as strokes, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, arthritis and others.
(3) Exercise improves our mood. Exercise stimulates the brain chemicals that lift our spirits and make us less anxious. Note the picture below – don’t be one of these!!
CONTINUING WITH THE MAYO CLINIC
(4) Exercise gives us more energy. We can produce the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to our tissues and benefit from a more efficient cardiovascular system. Daily tasks become easier to manage.
(5) We can sleep better. We can fall asleep more quickly and enjoy a deeper sleep, though we should be careful not to exercise near our bedtime.
(6) Let’s put the spark back in our sex lives. Men and women will look better and have more desire for intimacy if we consistently exercise. In this connection, please remember that Valentine’s Day is coming soon. See my prior post on this romantic day.
(7) Exercise can be fun. Pick out something you like – a dance class, a hiking club, an exercise class. For me, it was basketball indoors and tennis outdoors.
PERTINENT AFFILIATIONS
- Dick’s Sporting Goods has been my favorite source for sports equipment and workout items for several decades. There is no better place to find a wide inventory of sporting goods at fair prices and excellent service. My prior post presents more details. I have a permanent link to Dick’s Sporting Goods at the side of my website. Or check here. Clicking on my link may be of benefit to me, as described in my second paragraph. Check for special bargains in celebration of Black History Month now!
- The American Council on Exercise is the largest non-profit organization for certifying fitness professionals in the world. This is the place to go if you want to become a personal trainer or be otherwise a part of the professional fitness world. ACE is also at the side of my website with a permanent link. Or check here.
- Bullworker Fitness has been in business for over 60 years. Bullworker tools allow us to perform both isotonic and isometric reps within the same exercise movement. Also, “Bullworkers” are great if we like to have workout equipment with us as we travel. Martial artist and actor Bruce Lee used Bullworkers to develop his striking ability. Here is the link to the Bullworker website.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends the following:
- That we do 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week. This would be brisk walking, biking, swimming and the like. Maybe mowing the lawn.
- Or that we do 75 minutes per week of vigorous activity – running, heavy yard work, aerobic dancing.
- And that we do strength training for all major muscle groups at least twice per week.
From what I have seen, there is often more attention to the aerobic standards than to the strength training, especially among seniors. In this regard, please read this brief finding by Wake Forest University.
Please leave me any comments or questions in the “Comments” section below. Or email me, richard@myworkoutathome.com.
Stay healthy!
