Did you know that we Americans are the most sedentary culture in the world? This may be shocking to you or it may not; but this surely will strike a cord of disappointment:
We Americans lead the world in sickness including:
Heart Disease.
Cancer.
Obesity.
Diabetes.
Depression.
These are just to name a few. The worst thing of all is, that we are passing our lazy habits on to our children, thus resulting in the sickest American culture yet! We do not improve with time and that is a sad fact. Experts predict our children will be the first generation to not outlive their parents. Is this really the future we want to pass on to our children?
Most of our chronic illnesses, such as heart disease, arthritis, and cancer, can be traced to lack of exercise. Our obesity epidemic is all caused by our lack of exercise. The human body is built for movement and we are not providing it with amount it needs. Every system in your body, from your organs, circulatory and lymph systems, to your muscles and bones, performs best for us when it is moved and stretched regularly. This is why exercise NEEDS to be a lifestyle not a fad.
How can regular exercise benefit your body? It can change your body and your entire life in more ways that you realize. Here are some reasons to get moving today:
Stronger bones: A regular program of weight-bearing exercise will help strengthen bones. Walking, running, jogging, and weight lifting will build bone, increase muscle mass, and create better balance and coordination.
A better cholesterol profile: Aerobic exercise, which is the kind that gets your heart pumping, can lower your “bad” LDL cholesterol and raise your “good” HDL cholesterol.
Lower blood pressure: People who exercise are 34% less likely to develop high blood pressure. Brisk half-hour walks three or four a week can lower blood pressure by 3-15 points in three months.
Improves circulation: Movement helps blood through the body and helps move toxins out of the body through sweating and lymph drainage. Improved blood circulation can help with heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis.
Prevent and alleviate depression: Exercise can increase levels of brain chemicals called endorphins, which create a sense of well-being and relieve pain, which can help keep depression at bay.
Healthier joints: Exercise keeps your joints flexible, increases muscle strength around joints to give them greater support, and helps move the toxic byproducts of inflammation out of the joints by improving your circulation.
Supports the immune system: Exercise in moderation supports the immune system by increasing white blood cells, which help the body fight infection.
Improves self esteem: People always feel better about themselves when they can look in the mirror and respect the person looking back at them.
Burns Stress Chemicals: Epinephrine and cortisol are released during times of stress. Exercise successfully eliminates those chemicals from causing disastrous affects on the body.
We are becoming a society that needs to rely on walkers, canes, wheelchairs, nursing homes and toxic medication! No one would ever aspire to become that way; but we must realize that with years of slow and steady neglect to our bodies that is the inevitable result. We must start moving our joints and strengthening our muscles to prevent this from becoming our fate.
In the field of fitness there is no better quote than; “If you don’t use it, you lose it” or “A rolling stone gathers no moss." So start to day by doing one form of exercise for 15-30 minutes; anything! Here is a great starter for you; my 30 minute at home Perfect 10 Full Body Workout: http://store.emilyreynolds.net/coaching/perfect-10-body-pump/
I hope this convinces you and more importantly motivates you to stop making excuses; and start walking, join a gym, hire a personal trainer and get to work. Your life depends on it!
Remember if health were easy everyone would be achieving it.