We are often asked why people need to spend the time, effort, and sometimes expense of being fit. So in no particular order, here are some of our answers, with physical activity, exercise, and fitness being used somewhat interchangeably. Depending on the type of workout you engage in, benefits may include:
- decreased risk of injury due to improved conditioning
- improved recoveries time; from the exercise itself and from any injuries one might sustain
- improved cardiovascular conditioning
- help with the prevention of heart disease
- aids in blood pressure control
- weight bearing exercise helps maintain/improve bone strength and thus helps to prevent osteoporosis
- help slow the aging process – a fit senior can out walk an unfit youth
- helps reduce stress
- can help with blood sugar control
- helps improve blood circulation and thus the oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange with the body’s tissues
- aids in moving lymph through the lymphatic system and thus helps play a role in disease prevention
- helps the gastrointestinal system in its digestion and elimination role
- helps with lung expansion, especially as we age
- plays a role in pain management
- helps maintain/improve balance and thus helps to prevent falls
- helps improve the fat vs fat free mass ratio
- helps maintain/improve posture
- helps improve/maintain your strength
- helps improve/maintain your flexibility
- can help reduce anxiety
- helps us improve our mobility
- helps us maintain/improve/regain our stamina
- some recent studies indicate that exercise, when combined with a good balanced diet and stress management, may help the stability and length of our telomeres which are thought to play a role in our health and longevity
How about some intangible benefits that may be derived?
- helps improve daily functioning and thus can enhance the quality of life
- for many, exercise can help provide increased social contact and thus helps improve the enjoyment of life
- can help increase self confidence
- helps us continue to play golf
- helps us continue to play tennis/badminton/table tennis
- helps us continue to bowl, play bocce, or any other kind of ball
- helps us to play hockey
- helps us be able to play with the dog
- helps us walk up or down an incline or stairs
- helps us stand
- helps us manage our increasingly chaotic lives
- helps us to shower/bathe ourselves
- helps us continue to dance
- helps us to stand up and sit down
- helps us continue to ski
- just overall helps us to play!
- helps us continue to walk our beautiful seawall
- helps us to hike our glorious trails
- helps us do what our friends can do
- helps us keep up with our kids (or grand-kids)
- helps us to continue to work
- helps us improve our endurance
- helps us get up and down from the floor
- helps us get what rolled under the couch
- helps us scratch ‘that’ spot in the middle of our back
- helps us to keep running
- helps us to retrieve something from the top shelf… or the bottom one for that matter
- helps us develop a sense of accomplishment
- helps us plant, weed, rake and enjoy our gardens and yards
- helps us keep up our baking and cooking
- helps us get more out of life!
- helps us be energized
- helps us put on our socks and shoes and otherwise dress ourselves
- helps us with our grooming and brushing/styling our hair
- helps with a better sleep
- can help us sail away
- can help us row our boats
- can help us to go canoeing or kayaking
- can help us remain independent
- may help us save money by helping us reduce our medications
- may help us continue to clean our own homes… again saving us money
- helps us be able to do our own grocery shopping
- helps us hike The Grouse Grind
- helps us keep up with our spouse, or look after them
- helps us to dress ourselves and button or zip up our clothes
- helps us to walk independently
- helps us to make our own meals
- helps if we want to go fishing
- helps us be able to continue to travel
- helps us be able to keep driving
- allows us to make new friends
- may help us stay mentally sharp
- helps us to learn about our bodies
- helps us be able to go camping
- helps us be in charge and take control of our lives
- by the release of endorphins, can help us remain positive and upbeat
- helps us to just feel better – and look better too
- helps us participate in life
- helps us to have fun
- may help improve that nagging back ache
- can help us maintain our homes
- can help us set a goal and successfully meet it
Did we say exercise or fitness can help us get more out of life? John Kennedy once remarked that it isn’t enough to put years into life; that we need to put life into years. So true! When we were kids, just yesterday, we ran, and skipped, climbed, and threw and caught balls, cycled, skied, skated, hiked and stretched ourselves to our limits. What happened? When, and how did it become a chore for so many folks? It doesn’t have to be onerous. It can still be enjoyable. Try it, you just might like it. We hope you do.