What Does Exercise Mean to You?

Are you sick hearing about getting more exercise?

For many hearing this word and the meaning behind it can seem like hard work. Exercise should not have a negative connotation for you; if it does you will not get the true benefit from it anyway.

Of course exercise is going to mean different things to different people depending upon your current level of fitness and health and your ability to move. Everyone knows the benefits from exercising, but I think people get confused as to what exercise actually means. We are biochemically individually, this means ones man’s food can be another man’s poison, the same goes for exercise. Each person needs to find out exactly what they need to do and above all else what they enjoy to do!

It is like anything when you change you thinking and your attitude towards exercise a lot can change.  If you do not like the idea of exercise, as some feel it is too strict, boring and something they have to do instead of something they want to do. I do not beat myself up over formally exercising everyday. I look upon exercise as moving my body and I do that in many different ways depending on how I feel, the weather, what I want to do etc but everyday I am physically active and use different muscle groups.

Some days I will run 5-10k or more depending if I am training for some event, somedays I will walk briskly, some days I will run up and down the stairs perhaps several times a day, almost every day I rebound on my mini trampoline for 20-30mins or more, other days I will skip, or dance for 20 minutes, and I love gardening so I am looking forward to getting my fingers dirty! Other days I do strength and toning exercises on my gym ball or by using weights. I love to cycle too but enjoy that more in warmer weather. So when I am doing all of these things I love I know I am exercising and increasing my fitness levels but I do not see these things as some sort of strict exercises which I must do. I love these things so I do them anyway. They are part of my lifestyle and my day.

The advice for increased physical activity is strongly linked to overall healthy lifestyle recommendations because it affects energy balance and the risk of lifestyle-related diseases. Over the past few years, much research has set out the importance of moderate physical activity for good health. These research reports indicate that being physically active for at least 30 minutes daily reduces the risk of developing obesity, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and colon cancer, all of which are major contributors to morbidity and mortality in Europe.

Physical activity is related to improvements in body flexibility, aerobic endurance, agility and coordination, strengthening of bones and muscles, lower body fat levels, blood fats, blood pressure and reduced risk of hip fractures in women. Physical activity makes you feel better physically and encourages a more positive mental outlook.

THE SECRET IS TO BE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE IN A WAY WHICH YOU LOVE, FIND THOSE THINGS AND YOU WILL NEVER LOOK UPON EXERCISE THE SAME WAY AGAIN.

Have fun!