Welcome to Fitness Monday! Fitness Monday is a community diary series where we talk about various health and fitness related topics. No special qualifications needed to read or participate. In fact, when I told Mr. House I was going to be filling in to do this diary today, he looked at me and said, "So, they let anybody do it?"
Today I'm talking about WHY we try to stay fit. The reasons most often mentioned in our society are weight control or looking good. But there are dozens of other reasons to do something – anything – to stay fit.
Because motivation is such an important part of sticking with a fitness plan, let’s explore the why. I’ll share some possible motivators, but I am interested in hearing what motivates you - and what it motivates you to do.
So make the jump and let’s talk.
Why we exercise:
Better health. This is a big one. How many people walk out of a doctor’s office every day in America with a prescription for a pill to control high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, high cholesterol, headaches, depression, anxiety, low bone mass, or poor sleep? The list of chronic conditions treated by meds is long. How many people would be helped more (or avoid having to seek medical help) by a prescription for daily exercise?
Regular exercise boosts good HDL cholesterol while decreasing bad LDL cholesterol, increasing blood flow, which delivers more oxygen to your muscles and brain and helps create a healthier heart and stronger lungs.
Better mood. Exercise releases endorphins, dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin. These chemicals not only make you feel good but reduce the perception of pain and have a calming effect. Some people with anxiety or mild to moderate depression can be treated with exercise, and people with serious depression or bi-polar disorder can augment their meds with exercise.
Better mobility. Regular exercise helps maintain your range of motion and your balance. Both of these are important as we age in maintaining the ability to care for ourselves.
Better brain. In a new study, researchers looked at older adults and found those who were more fit had increased spatial memory compared to less fit adults of the same age, as well as improved ability for learning and memory.
Better bones. Weight bearing exercise strengthens bones and helps prevent bone loss in old age.
Better sleep. Late afternoon exercise is reported to help the most, but exercise any time (except right before bed) helps you sleep longer and more soundly.
Better sex. Being strong and aerobically fit helps, but feeling strong and fit is an even more powerful aphrodisiac. And the hormones released during sex have other health benefits. It’s a win-win.
Better families. Walk with your kids. You’ll end up talking, and if you’re really smart, you’ll end up listening. Play with your kids. Make some activity be "what our family does." A strong sense of family identity makes stronger and more resilient kids.
Better meals. When you are fit, you can eat more. Muscle burns more calories than flab, so you can enjoy a little more of the foods you love. But because you’ll want to maintain that healthy body, you’re more likely to choose good food.
Better self-esteem. Setting a fitness goal and sticking to it creates real self esteem – the kind that comes from an achievement, not empty praise. Your goal doesn’t have to be running a marathon – it can be walking for 20 minutes.
Whatever your reason, whatever your current fitness level, do something.
It’s free. You don’t need to join a gym, buy a bunch of expensive equipment, or have fancy-shmancy clothes or shoes. You just need to move.
It’s fun. At least it should be. If you’re doing something that you hate, you won’t stick with it, so find something fun. Walk? Run? Dance? Swim? Share your ideas.
It’s how to save a life. Forget the burst of adrenaline that allows people to lift cars or do other heroic acts. If you were faced with a situation that required you to perform some sustained physical activity to save someone’s life, would you be able to do it? A Discovery Health TV series explored that question and for most people, the answer was no. The series never asked a more pointed question – would you be the one who needed extra help in a dangerous situation because you’re not fit enough to save yourself, thus endangering others?
So tell me – why are you trying to stay fit? If you're not yet regularly exercising, why are you thinking about getting fit? What have you done this holiday weekend? What are you going to do after you read this?