The Secret Benefits of Exercise

We all want to look better, feel younger, and live a healthy, happy life for a very long time. Many of us wonder if there is a simple secret to getting better mental and physical health. We wonder if there is some magic pill that could help us achieve these goals. Well there is a way that you can greatly improve your chances of living a healthy life for a long time.How much would you pay for a pill that could provide all these following benefits to your body?

- lower your blood pressure
- strengthen your heart
- improve the oxygenation of your blood
- improve the circulation of your blood
- reduce your blood cholesterol levels
- relieve depression
- improve your ability to deal with stress
- make you look better
- improve your self esteem
- help you sleep better
- keep your blood sugar levels more stable
- help to keep your weight down
- benefit your lungs
- keep your bones strong
- increase the strength of your muscles
- boost your metabolism rate
- reduce your risk of getting cancer
- feel more energetic
- improve your ability to mentally focus
- improve your complexion
- help you live longer

Wouldn't you pay a lot to find the secret of getting all these benefits? If there was a pill that could do all this for you, wouldn’t you like to get your hands on it?

If a pill existed that could give you all these benefits, how much would you be willing to pay to get it? Would you be willing to pay $1.00 a day? Would you pay ten dollars a day? Or more? Chances are that if you knew there was something that could give you all these benefits, you would pay whatever you could afford.The bad news is that there isn’t really a pill that can give you all these benefits. Not yet, anyway.

But the good news is that there is a very simple way that you can ensure that you get all these benefits.Here in fact is the secret that you may already know deep within yourself, but perhaps you have forgotten.

Simply make sure that you get regular physical exercise!We constantly hear about the benefits of exercise, yet many of us don’t really make a commitment to exercising regularly.Why not? The simple explanation is that we get busy, and we get lazy.

We know that exercise is good for us, but it seems like too much trouble and too much work.To really get the benefits of exercise, you have to make a commitment to doing it. You can’t just wait until you feel like it.

Many people don’t get enough exercise because after a whole day of sitting in front of a computer, they only have enough energy left over to sit in front of a TV set at home. Switching over to a lifestyle that includes exercise does involve a decision, and a commitment to do so.

If regular exercise isn’t a part of your life is because you find exercise too boring, look for some form of exercise that you will enjoy. Think about taking a dance class, or join a group of cyclists in your town.If you think that exercising is too hard, start off slow. You might have to walk before you can run.If you need motivation or distraction while you exercise, ask a friend to join you, or join some sort of team sport.If your joints hurt when you move, you might enjoy a swimming class instead.

If you are telling yourself that exercise is hard and that it’s boring, change the messages that you send to yourself. Tell yourself frequently that exercising your body is fun.

What sorts of exercises will help you the most?

To improve the oxegenating capacity of your heart and lungs, aerobic exercises are the best. This means the kind of exercise where you tax your body enough to raise your heart beat rate to a target level.

To gain aerobic benefits for your heart, lungs and circulatory system, aim to do the type of exercise that will push your heart rate up to 50 % faster than than your rate at rest. You don’t need to work up a sweat for your heart and lungs to benefit, and you don’t need to overdo it.

Learn to keep up a steady pace while doing some form of aerobic exercise that still allows you to talk comfortably with a friend. To improve your aerobic capacity, exercise aerobically for about 20 minutes three or four times a week.

Swimming is a form of exercise that can greatly improve the oxygenating capacity of the heart and lungs, especially swimming under water. Swimming is also good for people who have joint problems, because the bouyance they get from being in the water will relieve pressure on their joints.

Weight bearing exercise can help keep your bones strong and keep your muscles from deteriorating with age.

Another type of exercise that many people find very beneficial for their brains is some form of mind-body exercise. People who practice mind-body exercises regularly report they experience reduced stress, increased calmness, and greater clarity of thinking. There are many schools and variations of mind-body exercises, including yoga, tai-chi, and chi-gung.

For many people, the most easily accessible and universally beneficial form of exercise is walking. You can walk alone or with others. You can walk indoors or outdoors. A walk can be part of a formal program, or an individual ramble through a favorite neighborhood or nature area.

How much should you exercise? Whatever you choose to do it is important that you continue to do it regularly. Exercising vigorously for three hours on the weekend will not make up for a sedentary lifestyle the rest of the week. It will also leave you exhausted and sore, and unwilling to exercise again.It is therefore important to choose an activity that you really enjoy. Don’t pick anything too strenuous to begin with if you are not used to exercising.

Aim to exercise at least four times a week or more, for at least half an hour at a time, up to an hour. If you are over forty, are out of shape, or have some medical condition, check with your doctor before undertaking an exercise program.

If you start a regular exercise program that you enjoy, your body will thank you, and your brain will thank you too! You’ll feel more energized both physically and mentally, and will be better able to handle life’s problems. And take the time to make a mental shift within yourself.Turn off your thinking brain, and feel your body. Feel it as it moves. Learn to feel what your body really needs, and what messages your body is really sending you.Chances are that the secret your body is trying to tell you is "I REALLY need exercise!"

This article was written by self help author Royane Real. Sign up for her free newsletter filled with life improving tips and ideas at http://www.royanereal.com