Exercise—we all know we need to do it, but many of us would not put this task in our top ten list of things we like to do.

So, how do you motivate yourself to make exercise a regular part of your life?

It might be helpful by beginning with some of the basic reasons why exercise is such a good idea. According to the National Institutes of Health and the popular medical website, WebMD, regular exercise offers these benefits:

• You feel better.
• You have more control over your weight.
• You fall asleep more easily and sleep better.
• You notice more energy.
• Your brain works better and more quickly.
• You handle stress better, including noticing improved mental health and mood.
• You lower your risk for several prevalent illnesses, including:
  • Heart disease
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Some cancers
  • Metabolic syndrome
• You strengthen your bones along with your muscles.
• With increased strength and flexibility, you decrease your chances of accidental falls, especially in the older population.
• You increase your ability to burn fat, even when your body is resting!
• You may increase muscles mass and tone and actually decrease your percentage of body fat.
• You increase your chances of living longer.

You may be surprised to learn that weight-bearing exercises like walking actually help improve your bone health, but bones actually respond to exercise by becoming stronger, just like muscles. For those concerned with bone health, exercise should be a big component of a bone health plan.

According to the Surgeon General, if you are reaching for optimal health, you want to have at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days, and preferably daily.  This activity should be based on your health condition, physical ability, and what is most fun for you.

Incorporating exercise into your daily routine is essential to success of a daily program. By doing your exercise around the same time every day, you increase the chances that you will develop exercise as a habit you won’t break.

Experts also emphasize that even ten minutes, three times a day of exercise may just be as beneficial as 30 minutes together. The main purpose of your exercise goals is to get moving.

Any pursuit of exercise must have the following word of warning from the National Institute of Health:

If you have health problems—such as heart trouble, high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity—or if you are age 40 or older, check with your doctor before you begin a regular exercise program.

In 2016, Betsy’s Health Foods wants to help you achieve the healthy habits that are essential to your health goals. Besides taking 21 days to change a habit, we also want to take each Monday to look at what motivates us to exercise.

Join us on Facebook or Google+ each Monday as we look at exercise motivators. What motivates you to exercise?  Comment on our motivation posts, and we’ll share your motivators with our other fans. Also, if you want to post a pic of your workout, we’ll put it in our motivation roundup too! Visit us at our event page to give us your contributions to help the Betsy’s community stay motivated to move in 2016.

In health,
Ramona

 

References:

http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/fitness-why-should-i-exercise

http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Bone_Health/Exercise/default.asp

https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/exerciseandphysicalfitness.html