The Benefits of Exercise

​The benefits of exercise

Do we really understand the benefits of including exercise
and healthy eating as a daily routine of your week?
Diseases linked to obesity has overtaken smoking related health
problems as the world number one killer according to Barry Popkin,
professor of global nutrition at the University of North Caroline.
It is important to look at our culture, upbringing and beliefs and change
our view to not only start a healthy, physical active existence but to
make it a life style choice.
The benefits include:
 Feeling Happier - exercise releases endorphins that create
feelings of happiness and euphoria
 Reduces stress – working up a sweat can assist with the
management of physical and mental stress
 Improve confidence – exercise can elevate your perception of
attractiveness and self worth
 Improve your cardiovascular system – increases blood flow from
the heart throughout the body increasing cardiorespiratory
 Helps in the prevention of many chronic diseases such as heart
disease, high blood pressure, abnormal blood lipid (cholesterol
and triglyceride) profile, stroke, type 2 diabetes, metabolic
syndrome, and colon and breast cancers. 
 Increase bone density and muscle – we lose 6% muscle every
year from the age of 30. So assist in protecting against
osteoporosis
 Improves sleep quality
 Raises your metabolism to assist with weight management

HOW DO WE STAY MOTIVATED TO CONTINUE WITH
OUR NEW LIFESTYLE?
By setting goals
 It is really important to choose a goal that is important to you
 Set short and long term goals: increase your walks from 20 mins
to 30mins, do a 5km fun run, achieve a proper push up etc
 Reward yourself monthly for continuing with your health y and fit
lifestyle by papering yourself in “ you time” - Have a bubble bath,
read a book, watch a good movie, enjoy a small treat etc
 Involve your family and friends to form a support group around
you to ask your progress and help motivate.
 Don’t give yourself a hard time if you stray occasionally… just get
yourself back on track.
 Write how great you feel, look, sleep and sticky note them around
the house as reminders of why you need to continue this lifestyle-
MAKE THEM YOUR AFFIRMATIONS
(PROVIDE EXAMPLES OF MY GOAL SETTING- OXFAM 100KM -
10KM RUNS AND HALF MARATHON)