☆ The Fantabulous (and many) Benefits of Exercise! ☆

There are so many reasons to exercise, but we sometimes only think about weight loss or bikini season, but truthfully, it goes so far beyond just that. Personally, I am a workout fiend, I feel so so much better and energized and pumped about life after I exercise. It is addictive in a lovely healthy way. And since ReLove Plan.et is all about being happy and healthy, then I simply have to boast about the magic of exercise!
Obviously, exercise is good for your health, but do you know the full benefits? 

Live Longer!  There have been several studies done that indicate exercise leads to a longer healthier life. One said that even just walking or getting your body moving for a mere 30 minutes a day is the biggest key to health, prevention against illness, and prolonging your life. 

Weight Loss. The obvious one that most of us know. Exercise burns calories and allows your body to use calories more efficiently, increases your metabolic rate, and gets your body working optimally so that you get the most benefit from what you eat. You don't even have to do much, if you can't fit in a regular workout at the gym then just try to be more active in your everyday activities. Take the stairs instead of elevator, walk or bike instead of drive, take random dance breaks while doing anything and everything. Get moving and get happy!

Happiness! Those regular sweat sessions feed oxygen to the brain, stimulate various other brain chemicals and gets happy endorphins going to leave you feeling happier and more relaxed. The benefits of exercise have been shown to be as effective in warding off depression as medication--except minus the zombie feeling and instead you get to feel energized and good about your life and not worry about dangerous side-effects. ;) I swear by this as I too once was skeptical, but it truly truly works! So get moving and get happy!

Look younger. Aerobic activity in particular increases oxygen consumption during exercise, which can take years off your skin and stimulate new brain cells. Neat huh?  

Improves… Posture, flexibility, muscle definition, endurance and stamina, sex life, mental focus and clarity, coordination and balance, self esteem, complexion, circulation. 

Immune Booster! Exercise strengthens the immune system over time by raising the body's temps. It also helps regulate hormone levels and may reduce the risk of breast and prostate cancers. And, again, it only takes 30 minutes a day of your time to maintain this lovely healthy level.   

Healthy Heart. Getting your heart pumping raises good cholesterol, lowers blood pressure, and reduces arterial inflammation, all of which help protect your heart and decreases heart attack risk so that you can have a happy heart.  

Health health! Other awesome health benefits from exercising include… lowering blood pressure, increasing "good" levels of cholesterol, strengthening your joints and bones to help prevent osteoporosis. 

Balances your blood sugar. Regular workouts increase sensitivity to insulin and managing weight, therefor decreasing risk of type 2 diabetes. 

Manage PMS and Menopause. Even just light exercise, like walking or yoga, elevates the mood and helps to manage symptoms of menopause and PMS. If you have bad cramps during aunt flow's monthly visit, try regular exercise--especially like cardio--to help relieve those menstrual cramps. 

Improves Digestion! Regular physical activity helps keep your digestive system working efficiently and healthily. You'll even poop better! 

Sleep Better! If you're having trouble sleeping then, yup, regular exercise can help you to sleep better and sleep deeper. Just don't exercise too close to bedtime or you may be too energized from your workout to fall asleep. ;) 

Energy Boost Please! Regular physical activity improves your muscle strength and boosts your endurance so that all of your daily activities won't feel like such a chore. It also helps your cardiovascular system work efficiently and delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. And when your body is working more efficiently, well, you get an energy boost and have more energy for your entire day. 

What more reasons do you need? Plus there are so many fun ways to add physical activity into your life, no matter what your "busy" schedule may be. Get active, feel better, feel healthy, feel happy! Wooo wooo! ;) 

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Love, Life, Happiness: Being Fit & Healthy, Part 2...

It is said that there is nothing that the body can't cure through diet and exercise. 

Diet is absolutely crucial to a healthy body and mind, as discussed in Part One of this segment. However, diet is only half the battle and without exercise you won't get results. 

A few things to keep in mind...

Choosing physical activity that you enjoy is important if you want to stay motivated. And it definitely doesn't mean you are restricted to the gym. Be adventurous and don't be afraid to try new things! Maybe Yoga interests you? Or perhaps something like mountain biking? How about a sport? The options are endless and feel free to change it up as often as you like. 

Now I don't want to hear excuses about not having time. Make time! Re-arrange your schedule if you have to but quit making yourself pitiful excuses (yeah, you know they're excuses as well as I do). Remember, a happy body is a happy mind. ^_^ 

The benefits of exercise are endless! Physical activity stimulates the brain, leaving you feeling happy and de-stressed! It enhances your mood, and fights depression when done regularly. It fights disease (it can reduce the risk of Breast Cancer by up to 60%!!). Exercise will also help you lose weight, boost your energy levels (see? who needs caffeine? ~_^), helps you sleep better, alleviates menstrual cramps, improves appetite for healthy foods, and even makes you poop better! See, it rocks!! Now do it!! ~_^

It is best to workout in the morning if you can, as it helps to boost the brain and body at the start of your day. This means you're less likely to eat crap after a good workout, and you're less likely to make up excuses not to work out later in the day. However fitting in physical activity where you can is obviously better than no exercise at all.

My health routine...

I've fallen in love with exercising (and you will too!!)! It took me a long time to get off my sorry ass though and actually commit to it. I used to be a miserable, inactive slob and never had the motivation. Finally, I forced myself into a routine and haven't looked back since. Now I'd have to actually make the effort NOT to workout! That's how much it's become a natural part of my life. Oh and my depression kicked the final boot thereafter as well. Who knew? 

I personally dislike gyms, but that's just me. One of my best investments was into an Elliptical machine I could use from home. No more getting to and from the gym. Just wake up, stretch, and workout from the comfort of my own home. I love the elliptical because its low impact, meaning less stress on my body, as opposed to running on a treadmill. I do love to run, but Edmonton's weather sucks for 60% of the year, making that difficult. So that's my cardio. I also do a good stretch everyone morning (whether I workout or not) before and after exercise. To tone up, I use the "Skinny Bitch" fitness DVDs. Yes, I'm clearly a fan of theirs haha, but they work!! I've managed to get rid of areas that I used to be self-conscious about because of those DVDs! And they'll kick your butt! No kidding! ~_^

I typically exercise every single day for at least 30 minutes (not including stretching). The Elliptical takes up at least five days a week. The DVDs alternate every two days or so either by themselves or before my cardio. I'll randomly do push-ups and other such things, but I find the others work much better and get me better results. 

So, there you have it. Now, stop making excuses and get on that healthy diet and exercise lifestyle and watch your life (and body) transform!! 

Love & Bruises, 

~Bianca xo 

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