Get Up and Move!

   So if the title had the word "exercise" in it, would you have still read on?  Why is it when most people hear the word "exercise," they have negative feelings? (I resemble that remark!) In spite of possibly conjuring up negative feelings, this blog post is about exercise.  There is a lot of information about the subject, so I will just hit the highlights of what I learned.  At the very end of the blog post you can go directly to the articles which are more in depth.
    First, I really didn't realize that there were different types of exercise that are for different purposes and have different benefits.  Aerobic exercises (like walking) burn the most calories and can affect your diet by making you feel more satisfied instead of deprived.  Resistance exercise (aka strength training) doesn't burn many calories, but it does preserve lean muscle mass which does burn more calories than fat.  Flexibility exercises (stretching) are also important because they help prevent injury and improve performance. 
     The benefits of exercise are numerous.  Everyone knows that exercise can help you loose weight and keep it off. That is only the tip of the iceberg! Exercise can reduce the risk of many health issues, including heart disease, colon cancer, breast cancer and type 2 diabetes.  It can reduce high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression and anxiety.  Exercise will build and maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints.  The level of benefit for exercise is dependent on the frequency, intensity and length of the activity.
      Okay, I know I should be exercising, so why don't I?  Time, too tired, too busy, too cold....I can find excuse after excuse.  I purchased some of the exercise kits at Weight Watchers; they sat under my stairs for several weeks.  Two weeks ago, I actually opened them and aired up the exercise ball. I've been through the warm-up exercises.  During the next couple of months, I will be going to some water aerobic classes at the Y.  I'm still trying to find some kind of routine.  I will not give up: I can't afford to give up. I have a lot of living to do and I need to be healthy to do it!
     What are some ways you incorporate movement into your day?  I'd love to hear your ideas.  In the meantime, take a look at this exercise routine I found on YouTube.  It's to the music of  Mercy Me. At home, I tend to dance to the music while listening to the radio.  I plan to incorporate some of these moves!

Articles to check out:

Weight Benefits of Exercise

Body Weight and Exercise

Health Benefits of Exercise

Exercise and Preventing Weight (Re)Gain

 Exercise may be most important factor in battling against breast cancer