Want to mentally feel better, have more
energy, look great and sleep like a log? There is no drug or pill that will do all
of this for you. There is no snake oil salesman here. If you are a man or
woman, young or old, it doesn’t matter. The simple solution is EXERCISE. Walk, run, lift weights, do
push-ups, play basketball, dance… DO SOMETHING and do it every day. Here are my
top five reasons to exercise every day:
Great
Reason Number 1: Keeps You Physically Healthier! I know what you are thinking, “Well DUH?!”
Sure, exercising makes you a healthier person, but do you know how amazing it
really is? People that exercise regularly are less likely to suffer from heart
disease, some cancers, type two diabetes, less likely to suffer a stroke and as
we age less likely to fall or get arthritis. And it doesn’t take much. Get out
and do something 30 minutes per day. Check out this video by Dr. Mike Evans titled 23-1/2 Hours.
No
Brainer Reason Number 2: You Can Lose Weight When You Exercise! When
you workout you burn calories. When you workout HARD you burn even more
calories. As you exercise more and more you transform your body and increase
muscle mass. Muscle burns calories more effectively and so the awesome cycle
begins. You lose fat, build more muscle and become lean and mean. Do the little
things everyday and you will notice the difference: Walk to the store instead
of driving, take the stairs instead of the elevator, do a set of push-ups
before eating lunch at work, etc.
The
“No Way? That is AWESOME!” Reason Number 3: Exercising Turns that Frown Upside
Down!
Did you have one of those days at work where it feels like the people you
dealt with were actually trying to crush your soul? Don’t
go get hammered, go for a run. Lift weights. Ride your bike. Exercising
releases chemicals in your brain like serotonin and endorphins. People with
high levels of serotonin are usually more upbeat and just happier. Endorphins
are what give people the “runner’s high”. They act like opiates in response to
pain and stress and can lead to that feeling of euphoria! People who exercise are less likely to suffer from depression. And of course, when
you exercise you look good. And when you look good you FEEL good! Looking good
can boost your self-esteem and your self-confidence! “I am awesome!”
Seriously Kick Ass Reason Number 4: ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ When you lay down to go to bed, how long does it
take you to fall asleep? It seems that exercise has a rather weird relationship
with sleep. Working hard later in the afternoon seems to be best. Your hard
work kicks in your metabolism, you burn calories and your core body temperature
rises a couple of hours before bed. Then after you have wrecked yourself, your
body temperature begins to drop back to normal. That drop in temperature seems
to be what tells your body it is time to hit the hay. Simple, exercise and
sleep better.
And For the Best Reason of All, Number
5: Go Have FUN! Play some hoops, go dancing, go join a kick
ball team at your local recreation department! Get outside and walk the dog, go
for a swim or ride your bike. Do it for 30 minutes a day! As my university professor and mentor
Dr. Gary Nussbaum once told me, “Get out and do SOMETHING everyday that reminds
you that you are a physical being”. So many people think that exercise has to
be painful and unpleasant. Just go have fun and move!
WOD: Lifting for the Back and a Good Long Dog Walk:
Dumbbell Pullovers
Single Dumbbell Bent-over Row
Dumbbell Up-Right Row
Weighted Pull-ups
Dumbbell Snatch
Horizontal Suspension Strap Pull-ups
2 mile Walk with the Dog carrying a 35 lbs. Day Pack
Have a great day!!
I am feeling a bit under the weather today so I am going to keep this post short. Tonight is hydrate and get a good night's sleep.
