Health and Fitness-The Importance of Exercise

Being active keeps a person healthy and strong. Keep in mind that exercise is NOT just for people who have a weight problem but for everyone.  (This is a common misconception - I frequently hear people say things like,"Oh, she doesn't need to work out - she looks great!" This is a dangerous assumption, as lack of exercise causes many many health problems other than weight gain.)

There is a lot a person can do to stay fit, such as jog or walk every morning, play basketball or any other sport with friends, dance, swim, jump rope, and many other fun ideas.  If a person wants to have defined muscles and look lean, then one can also sign up and work out in a gym or with a personal trainer who can address your specific fitness goals.

Image via WikipediaPeople generally work out for one (or more) of 3 reasons:

1. The first is that the person is overweight, and the best way to lose those extra pounds will be to reduce one's calorie intake and at the same time burn more calories through exercise.

2. The second is that the person is underweight and the best way to add extra pounds and muscle is to maintain a balanced diet, and build muscle through weight-bearing exercise.

3. The third is for fun and to keep in shape and healthy.

The best exercise plan should include both calisthenics and and weight training exercises. This helps burn calories and increase the muscle-to-fat ratio, which in turn raises your metabolism, helping your body to burn calories for a longer period of time.

(Remember that, just like with taking any new medication, one should first consult a doctor before starting any new form of exercise.)

Here are some important benefits of exercising;

1.    It is the easiest way to maintain and improve one's health from a variety of diseases and even premature death.

2.    Studies have shown that physical activity makes a person feel happier and increases ones self esteem, and also lowers incidence of depression or anxiety.

3.    An active lifestyle makes a person live longer than those who are sedentary.

If you have not been physically active for a while, you will need to build up your strength and stamina gradually. Endurance will not be built in a day, but keeping up a regular exercise routine will certainly bring lots of great benefits.

It is advisable to work out regularly and maintain a healthy diet.

Image via WikipediaA good diet should have food from all the food groups, and needs to include carbohydrates  (mostly of the complex kind, such as found in whole grains and vegetables), vitamins, minerals and fiber. Oats, rice, potatoes, and other whole grains can provide these. And remember to include plenty of vegetables and fruits since these have phytochemicals, enzymes and micronutrients that are essential for a healthy diet.  

You also need a good source of high-quality clean protein, such as organic meat from grass-fed animals, or fresh eggs from pasture-raised hens. And you also need FAT! Yes, fat is essential for a healthy diet. (Did you know that your brain is made up almost entirely of fat?) Many vitamins and minerals are not even absorbed well by the body without a little fat. However, since fat contains more than double the number of calories in most other foods, it should be consumed in small quantities, and from high-quality clean sources, such as extra-virgin oils, and organic butter. Stay away from artificially enhanced fats (such as hydrogenated oils) and fat substitutes - these are not natural substances, and the long-term effects on the body are not well known.