Source: freepik.com
People add more years to their life than just weight loss with regular exercise. From feeling energetic to improving health, exercise exhibits many benefits. One can stay healthy at any body weight when they are active enough. Remember, ‘Weight is just a number and Exercise is not just for weight loss.’
Studies have clearly shown the link between fitness and shrinking health risks. The risk of mortality and cardiometabolic disease linked with obesity is eliminated with moderate-to-high cardiorespiratory fitness independent of weight loss. Even weight loss has not consistently been related to reduced risk of mortality, states studies.
Adding years to life
When one shifts from an unfit or low-fit category to a higher level of cardiorespiratory fitness, their all-cause mortality rate is reduced by 30% to 60% and cardiac-related mortality rate by 42% to 52%. Cardiovascular disease mortality can be reduced by 15% to 40% by just staying physically active.
Stomp out diseases
Enrolling in regular exercise reduces the risk of developing health problems and aids in managing existing health conditions, namely, metabolic syndrome, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, and mental health conditions like stress, anxiety, and depression. It can also help in increasing the HDL-cholesterol (good cholesterol) levels and decrease triglycerides, thereby preventing clogged arteries.
Fitter and Better
Did you know that taking a brisk walk can give you more energy than a cup of coffee to get through your tasks? Exercise boosts your muscle strength and endurance. It thereby helps in performing daily errands efficiently and also prevents falls.
Brightens your mood
‘An activity every day keeps stress at bay.’ Post-workout soreness and pain that comes with a good exercise routine are also served with a lovely rush of ‘Endorphins’. Endorphins are hormones also known as the ‘feel-good hormones that make us feel good and lift our mood. They are also natural painkillers, that make one feel productive and positive and ease chronic aches.
Preps you for sweet dreams and quality sleep
Regular exercise with exposure to the sun (Vitamin D) can make you feel relaxed and reset the sleep-wake cycle. Exercise increases body temperature helps to stay alert throughout the day and helps drift off to sleep when the body’s internal temperature drops down at the end of the day. However, strenuous exercises should be restricted around bedtime.
Up the antioxidants
Exercising sparks the production of antioxidants in the body. Antioxidants help in preventing oxidative stress, free radical damage, and aging.
Source: Freepik
The Bottomline
The magnitude of health benefits from exercise is far greater than just weight loss. Health care professionals convey the myriad of benefits of physical activity to achieve consistency and improve fitness in the absence of weight loss.
‘Exercise to stay fit and healthy rather than to just lose weight.’
