E is for Exercise. A to Z on wellness

Some things in life, no one else can do for you. One of these is urinate. Another is:

Exercise.

And no, that is not some form of punishment – although if I’d heard you say that two years ago I’d cheer you on with heart and soul. Sincerely I used to hate that word. It’s that stupid stuff they’d make you do at school during your P.T. class. At the beginning of the year they’d made us do track and field exercise. The 800 meter was some teacher’s sadistic way of introducing me to high school.

That was then however and this is now. Exercise need not be a strenuous way to torture yourself. We were not all made to be athletes, but getting the body moving has very many health benefits. While I will mention some of them here, don’t take my word for it. Ask your doctor. If you have ever had to tell him or her your intense dislike of exercise – I know you have seen “that” warning look in his eyes.

While hitting the gym every day is a great way to work out, if that is not your thing there are many other ways to get that heart pumping and those muscles moving which will heed the same benefits.

Other ways of exercising:

• Taking the dog for a walk
• Swimming
• Zumba, (you can do this in the comfort of your own home, with a click to You Tube … or you can buy a DVD.)
• Cycling

Just to mention a few. Even taking the stairs has benefits over taking the elevator.

The key to any of these methods is to making them part of your everyday life. Make them part of your daily routine.

How much of this exercise stuff do you really need?

They say as little as ten minutes per day or as little as thirty minutes three times a week will get you well on your way to a healthier you. Remember moderation is key to success here. You can’t expect to be doing absolutely nothing for years and then start partaking in a triathlon. Furthermore, you need to keep within your bodies limitations. If you have chronic illnesses such as arthritis, you may find the impact of ‘normal’ exercise too much.  It is always advisable to consult your doctor on what types of exercise may benefit you.

What are all these “health benefits” we keep hearing so much about?

Exercise and weight loss – the lowdown

Exercise has been put up as the poster-child for losing weight. While I do not want to discredit anything- “they” are saying – sometimes you will take a good long while to lose any weight with exercise.  A healthy diet with exercise is more likely to yield healthy returns in the weight loss department.

However, exercise without healthy diet – could do nothing at all where weight loss is concerned. I base this on personal experience, and a discussion with my doctor.  The problem with “them” making these claims of weight loss is that if it does not happen then one tends to give up on the whole thing. I am not here to give you false promises. So for now, chuck out this notion of weight loss and let’s look at some other benefits of exercise.

Exercise, endorphins and getting rid of stress

A major benefit of exercise that it activates the body’s mechanism to create endorphins. These are the body’s natural painkillers and feel good chemicals. They are known to aid in mild depression and anxiety.  Exercise also helps you regain your focus, since there is a meditative quality about concentrating on your bodies movements. All these things also contribute towards better sleep, which in turn helps you cope better with stress.

Energy, Detox and so much more

While it seems absurd, exercise also has the nice benefit of increasing your energy. While you are sweating, some of those ugly toxins “they” keep talking about tend to go out your pours. Unavoidably your muscles will also get stronger with use. This again may help support your joints, should you have problems there.

Not to mention the one benefit your doctor would probably consider most important is the health benefits exercise brings to your cardiovascular system. Getting your heart rate up in a healthy way, such as with exercise strengthens your heart (which is also a muscle). Your blood flows quicker, which helps you, feel less restless and fidgety.

With all these wonderful things combined, who does not want to start some mild form of exercise? Awe! Shucks – come on I know you know it is worth it.

About the Author

Sarina often sat on the peaks of the dunes of Southern Africa watching the ocean tide drift in. A daydreamer, often dreaming up stories for lands somewhere over the rainbow. She is a mother, a wife, a blogger and an overall creative spirit. Above all, she is a human being.