Three Big Reasons to Exercise

Patients often ask me, “Why should I exercise?”
Simply put, there are numerous benefits to exercise; however, I will discuss three major reasons to exercise on a regular basis. These benefits can be divided into three major categories I call PMP: (1) Physiological (2) Musculoskeletal and (3) Psychological.

If you have been thinking of reasons you don’t have the time to exercise, I hope that you will change your mind after you review this list.
The following are three major reasons to take time to exercise on a routine basis. I have provided twenty-five benefits of exercise in a list to make them easy to remember, so you can see clearly why exercise is important.

I. Physiological Benefits of Exercise:
1. Improved aerobic capacity.
2. Decreased body fat.
3. Improved circulation.
4. Decreased resting heart rate.
5. Decreased blood pressure.
6. Reduced cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
7. Increased muscle mass
8. Enhanced quality of sleep
9. Enhanced Immune system.

2. Musculoskeletal Benefits of Exercise:
1. Improved ease of movement.
2. Increased muscle strength and endurance.
3. Increased bone density.
4. Increased range of motion.
5. Improved balance.
6. Improved joint stability.
7. Increased flexibility.
8. Decreased risk of falls
9. Improved posture

3. Psychological Benefits of Exercise:
1. Reduction of pain.
2. Reduction of anxiety and fatigue.
3. Enhanced feeling of well-being.
4. Increased mental focus.
5. Improved self-image and self-esteem.
6. Improved mood
7. Decreased stress

If you still are not convinced that you should exercise regularly, keep in mind that the right combination of exercise and nutrition leads to increased muscle strength and more stamina. When your body works more efficiently, you will have more energy which makes it easier to perform your activities of daily living.

Moreover, the combination of good nutrition and regular exercise also reduces blood pressure and cholesterol levels which reduce the risk of heart disease.

I urge you to make an appointment with yourself because you can gain all of these benefits by exercising three to five times per week for 30 to 60 minutes. Remember to check with your doctor before starting any exercise program, and begin to reap the Physiological, Musculoskeletal and Psychological benefits of exercising.

I hope that your increased awareness of these twenty five benefits of exercise will encourage you to exercise on a routine basis. Start today: Creating a Better You!!

©2011 Winifred D. Bragg, MD.All Rights Reserved