How To Use Exercise To Benefit Healthy Living

Over the years, it has become very clear to me that one of the
closest things to the "fountain of youth" may be obtained by regular
activity such as walking or weight-bearing exercises; therefore, by
strengthening muscles, boosting the amount of oxygen consumed, during
the activity, you improve your aerobic ability by 15 to 20 per cent.
The benefits derived from exercise has surprised Researchers
(Consumer Reports) as they have found that these consistent
exercises, may prolong life by adding as much as 10 to 20 years to
your life if done consistently, which is a definite benefit to
healthy living.

consistently shown that being active cuts the risk of early death by
about 50 per cent for both sexes. Your heart becomes stronger, your
lungs become healthier, and your joints will love you! Exercise
stimulates the growth of new brain cells in older adults as well which
is a definite plus.

According to Dr. Andrew Weil,in his book "Healthy Aging", he states
that "walking is the overall best exercise that can fullfill the
body's need for regular aerobic exercise, if you do it vigorously." He
also states "The human body is designed to walk, requires no
equipment, and it carries the lowest risk of injury." "The human body
is designed to walk" Dr. Weil states.

Walking is a perfect conditioner for joints. It is something that we
can do for life, and all we need is a good pair of walking shoes. Make
certain you get fitted properly for your shoes. You have the option to
join a walking club as well.

Obesity is becoming one of the top killers of North Americans, next to
cancer and heart attacks and strokes. Exercise and lowering calories
is the best thing you can do for your body. Use the stairs instead of
the elevators. Park your vehicle further away so you have to walk
further to get to it. Walk in the malls if you do not feel comfortable
by yourself. Get a certified Nutritionist or Dietitian to set up a
special program for your healthy eating and exercising. Above all,
encourage your grandchildren to walk with you.

Exercise may reduce colon cancer by moving the wastes through the body
faster; thus lowering the insulin levels. Researchers have found that
exercise may also protect against breast cancer and prostate cancer by
regulating hormones. If you find walking difficult, then try the
swimming pools made available to you in your area. Swimming actually
takes the stress of all the joints which is a big relief to your body,
if walking is not your fortee.

Exercise can help keep you young by fighting the stresses in your
life. Exercise actually lowers the stress hormones, and gives you a
better outlook on life in general. It helps to keep depression and the
blues away and regular aerobic exercise can work as well as
anti-depressants. If you are able, buy a treadmill to put in your home
to help initiate exercise.

Researchers have also found that moderate workouts may actually help
reduce infections by temporarily boosting the immune system. The
immune cells have a greater aggressive capacity to fight off
infections. Fewer colds are caught by people who exercise.

Pelvic exercises may help to prevent erectile dysfunction and possibly
benign prostate enlargement, which is of course, a common cause of
urinary problems for men. These exercises are also excellent for
women, but they would be called "Kegel" exercises, similar to holding
your pelvic and anal muscles together. This will help to stop those
annoying urinary drips if you work at these exercises regularly.

According to Consumers' Health magazine, increasing activity aids in
reducing night sweats, and sweating from menopausal activity, hot
flashes, enhances menopausal moods. This seems to me a far better way
then using pharmaceuticals to relieve these problems.

Exercising the upper body and using breathing exercises can reduce the
need to use an inhaler in mild cases of asthma, new evidence shows,
according to Consumer Report Health. So many people have inhalers, and
if we can relieve the asthma mildly by exercise, why not try it first?

Lastly, control of our blood sugar levels ils very important. Exercise
helps maintain a healthy blood-sugar level by increasing the cells'
sensitivity to insulin and thereby controlling body weight. Regular
vigorous walking can significantly cut the risk of developing Diabetes
Type 2.

A recent issue of "Health News" from the University of Toronto Faculty
of Medicine looked at the problem of "exercise resistance." Many of us
can think of a million other things to do rather than exercise. Take a
look at the reasons you may have resistance to exercise. It is often
noted that the idea of exercise is hopeless, despairing, angry and you
just do not feel like doing it.

Listed above are many of the reasons for exercising and what it does
for your body and mind. Choose positive things in your life to include
exercise. You will feel better for it and find out one of the secrets
to better healthy living just by consistent exercise.

Listed above are the many reasons for increasing our level of exercise
which have obvious healthy benefits for healthy living. I think it is
time we do our part and become a pro-exerciser to improve our health,
rather than relying on pharmaceuticals to save the day.

_By: *Carole-Anne Stanway*_

*About the Author:*

Carole-Anne Stanway has been a creative healthy recipe cook for many
years. She loves to learn new living techniques as well. Learn how you
too can make, create and bake many healthy recipes for healthy living
at .healthyrecipes [1]

Links:
------
[1] http://www.healthyrecipesforhealthyliving.com/