| The aim of this article is to show just what a | | | | improve your endurance in a short time. As the |
| range of benefits that you can achieve by losing | | | | cardio respiratory system responds positively to |
| weight and improving your overall fitness. By | | | | exercise, you will find you can climb the stairs |
| consistently following a program of sound nutrition | | | | without any trouble. |
| and exercises you will reach your goals but don't | | | | 6. More strength in the bones, ligaments, and |
| expect it to happen overnight. | | | | tendons |
| The first thing you need to do is to stop listening | | | | Weight bearing exercises and a sensible regimen |
| to or buying into the multitude of diet scams that | | | | of resistance training will not only strengthen the |
| are around these days. Reality is that you are not | | | | muscles but will benefit the entire skeletal system |
| going to lose weight or get fit with no effort. | | | | and connective tissues, greatly reducing risk of |
| Permanent weight loss and fitness requires effort | | | | injury. |
| and commitment but the end result is worth it. | | | | 7. Greater muscle mass |
| There is no other way around it...you have to eat | | | | An increase in muscle mass equals an increase in |
| properly and you do have to exercise. | | | | the number of calories burned throughout the |
| Okay...let's look at some of the benefits of | | | | day, meaning a faster metabolism. It also makes |
| exercise. | | | | you more physically attractive. |
| 1. Losing body fat | | | | 8. Lower blood pressure |
| If you diet without any exercise, you lose some | | | | High blood pressure can lead to strokes or heart |
| fat but you are also losing lean muscle. Restricting | | | | attacks. While medication can help, lifestyle |
| calories actually slows down your metabolism | | | | changes in diet and exercise are the vital |
| causing you to gain weight as soon as you | | | | elements in blood pressure control. |
| increase those calories again. Combining an | | | | 9. Lower cholesterol |
| exercise program with your dieting helps to | | | | Cholesterol is necessary for some of our bodily |
| maximize fat loss while minimizing lean muscle loss. | | | | functions but many people have led a lifestyle |
| 2. Maintaining a healthy body weight | | | | that has left them with a dangerously high level of |
| A good routine of healthy eating and exercise | | | | cholesterol. This can lead to cardiovascular disease, |
| keeps your weight stable so that you don't have | | | | particularly if you are also overweight or obese. |
| to turn to dangerous fad diets all the time. These | | | | Losing fat through nutrition and exercise is the |
| scams may work for a very short time but you | | | | key to the overall improvement in cholesterol |
| will put the weight on again just as quickly. If you | | | | levels. |
| make healthy eating choices and exercise a part | | | | 10. Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes |
| of your life, a stable weight will be normal for you. | | | | In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas doesn't produce |
| 3. Faster metabolism | | | | enough insulin to maintain the bodys blood glucose |
| How many times have you heard someone use | | | | levels. Maintaining a healthy weight and leading an |
| the excuse of a slow metabolism? I must admit | | | | active lifestyle decrease the risk of this disease. |
| that I've used it myself. Well, it's a myth. Our | | | | 11. Lower risk of osteoporosis |
| metabolism slows down due to our own unhealthy | | | | This condition is a very painful disease |
| choices not the other way around. | | | | characterized by decreased bone mass as well as |
| Calorie restrictive diets create havoc with the | | | | 'chalky' bones. Because they are so fragile, |
| metabolism whereas an effective nutrition and | | | | fractures can occur from something as simple as |
| exercise plan can definitely speed up your | | | | bumping into something. Resistance training and |
| metabolism, allowing it to burn off those excess | | | | weight bearing exercises can assist in increasing |
| kilos. | | | | bone density. |
| 4. More sustained endurance and muscular | | | | 12. Higher self-esteem |
| strength | | | | Participating in structured exercise leads to an |
| You don't need to be a bodybuilder or an elite | | | | improvement in appearance. This makes you feel |
| sportsperson to benefit from increased strength | | | | good about yourself and you find an increase in |
| and endurance. Whatever you do, it allows you to | | | | energy, vitality, and confidence. |
| perform more efficiently. Some women are | | | | So, as you can see, the benefits to your overall |
| concerned that increased muscular strength | | | | health are numerous and too important to leave |
| means huge, bulky biceps and so forth but that | | | | to chance. As the saying goes, "use it or lose it" |
| isn't what you need to become. | | | | and this is very applicable to the use of your |
| 5. Better cardio respiratory function | | | | muscles and your body in general. |
| A properly designed exercise program can | | | | |