[Ian]

Here's a great list of 20 reasons to exercise regularly, compiled by
author and exercise psychologist Greg Landry:

1. Regular exercise increases your metabolism so that you continually burn more calories every day.

2. Increases your aerobic capacity (fitness level). This gives you the ability to go through your day with less relative energy expenditure. This enables a "fit" person to have more energy at the end of the day and to get more accomplished during the day with less fatigue.

3. Maintains, tones, and strengthens your muscle. Exercise also increases your muscular endurance.

4. Decreases your blood pressure.

5. Increases the oxidation (breakdown and use) of fat.

6. Increases HDL (good) cholesterol.

7. Makes the heart a more efficient pump by increasing stroke volume.

8. Increases hemoglobin concentration in your blood. Hemoglobin is part of the red blood cell that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.

9. Decreases the tendency of the blood to clot in the blood vessels. This is important because small clots traveling in the blood are often the cause of heart attacks and strokes.

10. Increases the strength of the bones.

11. Causes the development of new blood vessels in the heart and other muscles.

12. Enlarges the arteries that supply blood to the heart.

13. Decreases blood levels of triglycerides (fat).

14. Improves control of blood sugar.

15. Improves sleep patterns.

16. Increases the efficiency of the digestive system which may reduce the incidence of colon cancer.

17. Increases the thickness of cartilage in joints which has a protective effect on the joints.

18. Decreases a woman's risk of developing endometriosis by 50%.

19. Increases the amount of blood that flows to the skin making it look and feel healthier.

20. Exercise, in addition to all the physiological and anatomical benefits, just makes you feel GREAT!

Author and exercise Physiologist, Greg Landry, offers free weight loss success stories and articles, and unique weight loss programs at his site.. http://www.Landry.com

Thanks, Greg, for this great info!

[theNEWme]

Yes, great information. I was just reading a similiar topic article in one of my magazines. It also states that 10 min sessions at minimum 3 times per day is as well a workout as a full 30 min daily, but the full , one time workout , has SOME added benefits. It also stated that alot of the benefits begin as soon as 5 minutes into your workout.

I definitely feel a sense of wellbeing and find the energy I need for the rest of my busy days with my daily workouts. I feel guilty on Sundays and the additional day (depending on my weekly schedule) that I dont work out lol.

Ill dig up the article and post it as an addition to your wonderful thread Ian.


Missy

[Cyn]

The only reason I need is seeing my body in the mirror! :shock:

[phen_]

ALL of the above.

...And it's also a good stress buster after one of those highly packed tough days.


A good thread.

[Squish T. Cat]

I always feel better after walking for at least 45 minutes, and I try to do it every day (helps that I can easily walk to work, too.) I really do believe in the endorphins being stimulated by exercise.

BUT -- last week I discovered a new benefit to walking. I found forty bucks on the sidewalk. Not a wallet, no ID or ATM receipt, nothing but two twenties. I swear, if there'd been a way to identify the (previous) owner of said twenties, I'd have done it without hesitation because being raised Catholic...well, you know, the guilt about going to Hell and all that. And, yeah, because it's the right thing to do. But I found it by the curb of a busy intersection so who could tell?

So Larry The Female Kitten enjoyed meals of Fancy Feast every night last week, and I got a new pair of jeans in a smaller size (WOOHOO!)

Um...am I going to Hell?

[Ian]

I sure hope not... :eek:

I've been in that situation a few times when I was younger, and I think
that most of the times, the "authorities" pocketed the money. But one
time I found a huge wallet with ID and credit cards, etc. and turned it
into the front desk at a mall. Then I got a surprise letter from the
woman who owned it, thanking me. It was nice, and I was happy
that she got it back.

I can't imagine the stress of all that information and money being
open for anyone who wants it.

[NeedtoLose]

I do a lot of walking. It is ME time! I don't have to talk to anyone else. I LOVE IT! :grin: