Before Michelle put me through my paces with a new workout routine for the week (I get a NEW one every week! That really keeps me motivated - I don't get bored), she took out the tape measure and measured here, and there, and then worked some complicated formula that showed us that my working out is bearing results. I don't remember numbers very well, so you won't see any here, but Michelle advised me that THOSE numbers revealed more to her than me stepping on the scale.
She also said I could share with you some of the other improvements I've made by changing my sedentary lifestyle for an active one (with healthy eating). Michelle rattled them off (cause, like I've said before, she's a GENIUS and knows her subject!), but I didn't recall all of them. So, I did a little research at The Mayo Clinic, where I found seven benefits. I'll summarize their 2-page report for you now.
1. Mood Booster - I've mentioned this one before - it really helps with depression, I'm here to tell you! Exercise stimulates brain chemicals that make you feel happier and more relaxed.
2. Fights Chronic Disease - Exercise helps to prevent or manage high blood pressure. It also helps elevate "good cholesterol" or HDL and lowers triglycerides at the same time. This double whammy helps to reduce plaque buildup in arteries.
3. Helps Manage Weight - Exercise and a healthy diet make this one a no-brainer, right?
4. Boosts Energy Levels - Exercise delivers oxygen and nutrients to tissues, and helps your heart, lungs, blood vessels, just about everything, to work more efficiently, and this is huge! When your body works more efficiently, you have energy to burn!
5. Promotes Better Sleep - Regular exercise helps you to fall asleep, and STAY asleep, and wake up better rested. Of course, if you exercise too late in the evening, you might have too much of that energy from #4 to fall asleep, so try exercising earlier in the day if this happens to you.
6. Light the Candles - Okay, if The Mayo Clinic says it, I'm gonna too. Exercise can improve your um, romantic life, too. It just, well, it makes certain functions improve for both genders, okay?!
7. Exercise Can Be Fun - Yes, it can! I'm having a blast. If you don't want to spend time in a gym, take a ballroom dancing class, take Fido to the dog park and play chase, play touch football or softball with the kids, get out on your local playground and just SWING! Any activity is better than sitting in a dark room with the TV and a bowl of popcorn, even if it is Orville Redenbacher's Natural Cracked Pepper that I am now addicted to, thanks to Carmen!
I do remember Michelle also telling me that regular exercise helps coordination, balance, and some other stuff, all good. The only "bad" I can see so far is that I'm gonna have to replace some clothing pretty soon. Carl's already drilled extra holes in my favorite leather belt!
Try it. Give it a couple of weeks, and see that everybody is right. Whether you're already fit and just want to boost your energy level, or you need to lose lots of weight like me, exercise is the one-size-fits-all help to a better physical life.
So just get out there and DO IT!
I can do ALL things through Christ Who STRENGTHENS me! Philippians 4:13
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