One of the most important piece of any healthy lifestyle is physical activity.
While diet is very important, it can’t provide some of the same benefits as exercise.
Making movement a priority in your day is key to establishing healthy habits. Plan your day around fitting in at least 30 minutes of physical activities, at least 5 times a week. While it has obvious benefits for weight loss, exercise offers lesser known benefits as well.
Exercise may be the closest thing to being the fountain of youth. Not only does regular activity strengthen your muscles and improve heart and lung function, it can also reduce your risk of illness and disease, stimulate the growth of new brain cells, and add years to your life. There’s no pill or elixir that can do all that!
Studies show that just 30 minutes of physical activity on most days is all that’s required to reap big benefits. The range of health bonuses attributed to exercise has been studied extensively. Now, that doesn’t mean it’s okay to sit for the other 15 or so hours you’re awake – movement and consistent exercise reaps big benefits.
Most of us know that exercise is good for us, but making the time is often a challenge with busy schedules. Often we put it off due to “no time.” There are lots of reasons why exercise is important if not critical for our health.
Boost Your Mood
Workouts such as brisk walking or cycling boost the amount of oxygen consumed during exercise. Improving your aerobic capacity by just 15 to 25 percent would be like shaving 10 to 20 years off your age.
Aerobic exercise may also stimulate the growth of new brain cells in older adults. Working out can keep you flexible, limber and strong.
Exercise has been referred to as a natural antidepressant. It doesn’t have to be high intensity either. Even low-intensity exercises have mood-boosting benefits.
So start by just talking a walk around the block, do some stretches in your living room, or play catch or some other low-impact sport with your kids at the park.
Improve Your Sleep
Psychology Today addresses the impact of exercise on sleep, stating, “A recent National Sleep Foundation poll found that regular exercisers were significantly more likely to report sleeping well on most nights than people who were not physically active. Research has shown exercise can help to improve not only the quantity of sleep but also the quality: studies show daytime physical activity may stimulate longer periods of slow-wave sleep, the deepest and most restorative stages of sleep.”
Make Small Changes
What type of activity can you commit to this week? Let me know in the comments below!
Get Started Today with Simple Swaps
Want a lean and fit body?
Click on the button below to get your free copy of my Simple Swaps Guide to Meal Planning & Prepping.
PLUS in the coming weeks you'll receive Recipe Books, Time Saving Tips, a Pantry Makeover Checklist and a whole bunch more!