Have you ever thought of your body being sort of like a well-oiled machine?  You know, kind of like a Chevrolet Camaro that can accelerate from 0 to 60 in 3.9 seconds?  Ok, maybe most of us are not quite that up to snuff but hey, if we are getting in regular physical activity, that does give us some brownie (sugar and fat free of course) points right?

Seriously though, taking care of ourselves means not only choosing healthy foods the majority of the time but also requires a healthy dose of exercise too.  When it comes to our body, nutrition and physical activity go hand in hand.  Our body demands carbohydrates, protein, and fat to fuel physical activity.  Vitamins and minerals play critical roles in energy metabolism, protein synthesis, and other functions necessary for physical work.

Physical activity, in turn, benefits our body’s nutrition intake.  It helps us use nutrients, improves body composition, and helps us burn up extra calories preventing weight gain.

Together, eating a nutritious diet and obtaining adequate exercise becomes a dynamic duo and a powerful force for our health and well-being.

If you know becoming more physically active is absolutely necessary for overall health, what is stopping you from doing so?  Maybe you see exercise and physical activity mainly for the purpose of losing weight and preventing chronic disease.  That is certainly true but maybe you need something more to motivate you to make it a consistent, regular lifelong habit.  What if you looked at physical activity as a tremendous boost to your overall enjoyment of life?  Does it help to think of physical activity more in terms of the here and now instead of the “what ifs?”

Thinking of exercise in terms of how it’s benefitting you today and not just in the future may be more of a better motivator to get up and move.  When you go for a walk, jog, lift weights or stretch, how does that make you feel in that moment?  We know it’s good for keeping us physically fit but let’s take a look at what other benefits are gained:

1.      More restful, beneficial sleep

Physically active people are more likely to have a good night’s sleep.  When we have less insomnia, less tossing and turning trying to fall asleep this leads to waking up feeling more refreshed without getting overly tired during the day.

2.      Improved nutritional health

People who are physically active burn more energy or calories.  Caring enough to keep yourself physically fit has a correlation to caring more about what you feed your body.  Physically fit people tend to choose nutrient dense foods loaded with healthful vitamins and minerals making them less likely to have nutritional deficiencies.

3.      Improved body composition

Physical activity on an ongoing, consistent basis helps to limit body fat – particularly belly fat – while increasing and maintaining lean muscle mass.  It’s not just about being thin – muscle definition lends itself to a more toned physic.  People with more muscle mass and less fat, burn more calories even at rest. 

4.      Enhanced resistance to colds and other infectious diseases

Fitness enhances your immune system and keeps you healthy.  Even in sickness, the frequency and the duration of illness will be reduced.

5.      Makes daily activities easier

Being physically fit means daily activities become easier.  Injuries are less likely due to improved balance, mobility, and stability.  Being fit means fewer pulled muscles, or aches and pains the next day after doing a regular activity.

6.      Lower incidence and severity of anxiety and depression

Physical activity leads to your body releasing endorphins.  Those “feel good” hormones improve the mood of a person helping to relieve stress and feelings of anxiety and depression.  Additionally, the sense of achievement that comes from meeting physical and mental challenges promotes self-confidence.

7.      Better posture and self-image

Practicing regular physical activity strengthens muscles and improves your skeletal system, giving you an overall better appearance and again, a self-esteem boost.

8.      Longer and higher quality of life

Simply put, active people live longer and have healthier lives leading to independence and mobility well into old age. 

9.      It makes you feel good and look younger

Last but not least, being physically active and fit feels and looks great.  People who are physically fit often look years younger than their age as they age more gracefully.  Once you make it a frequent habit of exercising, you’ll begin to notice improved stamina, more energy, better mood, less aches and pains and an overall feeling of well-being.  Achieving wellness feels good – being out of shape does not.