4 Systems That Exercise Benefits

In general, those who exercise live longer than those who don’t. We know that. It just doesn’t help when we are trying to climb out of bed 15 minutes earlier to do something about living longer before we head off to work, make the kid’s breakfasts, or face the day’s activities. Here’s the truth: we are never going to feel like getting up early to exercise. We have to throw the covers off, plop our feet on the ground, and stand up. By doing that, we signal our brain that we are facing the day, that it has started. Sure, it might be rough for the first couple of minutes as you stagger out the door into the car to go somewhere to exercise. Or Plan B, you stand in your kitchen and do jumping jacks, squats, lunges, and some kind of abdominal work. You don’t even have to get dressed to do that. You can work out in your underwear, your pajamas, or nothing at all. But you are now out of bed, and working. And your day has started.

What’s the benefit of exercise? Your brain function increases, and your heart, immune and repair systems stay in good maintenance mode. Like you are 20 years younger. The bacteria in your gut (the site of intestinal inflammation) thrive. Every part of your body cheers when you exercise because you are staying young, healthy, and productive through life.

Be proactive, not reactive, to exercise. Think of yourself as active, not sedentary. Stand up more than you sit. Think of yourself as transportation, and walk instead of driving everywhere. Driving 3 blocks to Trader Joe’s. Really? Stand to take phone calls. Reply to an email, then do 3 jumping jacks. Reply to a text while you are wall-squatting. It’s amazing where you can fit in exercise during the day.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, walking 10,000 steps fends off insulin resistance, keeping blood sugar from rising sharply after meals. It lowers blood pressure. Buy a pedometer; it makes you accountable, and it’s fun (and maybe a shock) to see how much you are walking. Or not walking.

Any cardiovascular work for a sustained 10 minutes lowers your weight, improves endurance, and builds muscle strength. Jumping jacks, jumping rope, and burpees get your rate up, and lower the effects of stress. Resistance training builds bone density, lowers blood pressure, and builds muscle, which protects your bones, should you fall. Squats, lunges, and any sort of push-ups are good choices.

Overall exercise, and a sense of well-being help you to cut out mindless eating, and sleep better. Over all, it’s Aging Intelligently.