Why Is Exercise Important? by Jane Thurnell-Read

Even with small amounts of exercise your heart and lungs work better, and that means it is easier to carry your shopping, climb up stairs, play with your children or grandchildren, look after the garden, do the decorating.

Regular exercise will help you feel better about yourself, so it will even make it easier to smile. Keeping fit means you reduce your risk of heart disease and some cancers. If you have mild hypertension, it can help to control your blood pressure. If you have non-insulin dependent diabetes, regular exercise can be very beneficial.

If you are a woman worried about osteoporosis, incorporate exercise into your daily routine. Trying to lose weight? Exercise is an important part of what you need to do. Feeling stressed? Go for a long walk, get on your bike or sign up at the gym. You will almost certainly find you feel less tired, more cheerful and more relaxed. If you have difficulty sleeping, extra daily exercise may be just what you need.

If you are not used to taking any exercise, the easiest starting point is to modify your daily activity. Walk up stairs rather than taking a lift/elevator. When you go shopping, park as far away from the supermarket entrance as you can. Tackle that gardening or decorating job that you have been meaning to do. Take a walk at lunch time.

You are likely to see benefits from even these small measures, but get even more benefits by taking regular structured exercise. Sometimes people tell me they cannot find the time, but being fitter will allow you to accomplish normal tasks more easily, so giving you back some of the time you spend exercising. Authorities recommend 20 to 60 minutes, 3 to 5 times a week. Choose a type of exercise you think you might like, or, if you get bored easily, vary what exercise you do. Join a gym or team up with a friend to increase your motivation. Whatever you do, make a start - increase your pulse, breathe deeply and enjoy it.

Convinced? Then read this article on starting to run. Still finding excuses? Then read this article.

Here's 4 more reasons to exercise. Have a look at our sister web site Sport & Me as well.

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