The more we ask of our bodies, the stronger and more fit they will become. The less we ask of them, the less they can do. In a world that depends more and more on labor-saving technology, we have become far less active. This inactivity contributes to weight gain and obesity. To develop and maintain physical fitness, we have to make a special effort to include activity in daily life. If a drug could give you all the benefits that exercise can, you would race to your pharmacy to get it. There is no magic drug that can claim such results, but exercise can!
As you have learned, weight loss only occures when the calories your body uses exceed the calories you take in. The problem occurs when you focus only on reducing the number of calories you are consuming because your body begins to slow down its metabolism, which is the rate at which it burns caloric energy. How does this happen?
During exercise, metabolic rate is increased, and this increase is sustained for a period of time after the workout. If you walk for 30 minutes, you have increased your metabolism, for a period of 90 minutes. That's a pretty good return on your investment!
The Benefits of Exercise
- Reduced disease risk
- Positive mood
- Improved cardiovascular performance
- Increased endurance
- Increased energy
- Increased metabolism
- Burning of calories
- Preservation of muscle mass
- Preservation of bone mass
- Toning of muscle
- Stress reduction
- Faster recovery time from illness and injury
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