How many times have you resolved to start working out the next morning only for the alarm to go off and you realize you have so much to do and exercise can wait? It is never easy getting started on an exercise routine. It takes a lot of willpower. If you are not committed, aching muscles from the previous day’s workout can make you quit. As a personal health coach in LA, I understand your plight. I know it takes time to see the results and a lot of discipline to stay on track. My job is to keep you on track.
If you have been struggling to get started or adhere to your fitness plan, understanding the benefits of exercise can keep you focused. Here is what you stand to gain even when you exercise for a few minutes.
Makes You Feel Happier
Working out even for the shortest time will improve your mood and reduce feelings of anxiety, depression and stress. This is thanks to how exercising impacts your brain.
Exercise produces changes in the parts of your brain that regulate anxiety and stress. It also increases your brain’s sensitivity to the two hormones that relieve depression feelings: norepinephrine and serotonin.
Studies have found that exercising reduces the symptoms in persons who suffer from anxiety. It makes them aware of their state and helps them practice distraction from their fears.
The best thing is it doesn’t matter how intense you work out. Any amount of physical activity will improve your mood. According to a recent study, 24 women diagnosed with depression had decreased feelings of depression after exercising.
The effects of exercise are so powerful that they make a difference whether you exercise or not. A study done on men and women who exercised regularly found that when they stop exercising for two weeks, they experienced an increase in the negative moods.
Helps with Weight Loss
In my experience, most people searching for a health coach near me want someone that will help them shed weight within the shortest time possible. While you will still need a nutrition coach in Los Angeles to achieve rapid results in weight loss, regular exercise is the key ingredient.
To understand how exercise helps with weight loss, you must understand the relationship between exercise and energy expenditure. The body spends energy when digesting food, when maintaining functions and when exercising.
When you reduce calorie intake, you lower the metabolic rate. This delays weight loss. This is one of the reasons why at LifeUp Health Coaching we don’t advise you to eat less but rather show you how to eat right.
Regular exercise increases metabolic rate which leads to the burning of more calories. This increases weight loss. Studies have further shown that combining resistance training with aerobic exercise will maximize muscle mass maintenance and fat loss.
Exercise is Good for Your Bones and Muscles
One of the top reasons am a strong advocate of integrative health coaching in LA is because exercises are good for your overall wellbeing. They play a very important role in building and maintaining your bones and muscles.
Activities like weight lifting paired with protein intake will stimulate muscle growth. When you exercise, the body releases hormones that promote the ability of the muscles to absorb amino acids. This in turn causes your muscles to grow.
As we age, we lose muscle function and mass. This increases the risk of disabilities and injuries. Regular physical activity can help reduce muscle loss as well as maintain strength as you age.
Regular exercise will further help you build bone density when you are younger. This helps prevent the risk of osteoporosis in the future.
High impact exercises like running, gymnastics and playing basketball and soccer have been found to lead to higher bone density than non-impact sports like cycling and swimming.
Boost Energy Levels
Exercise will boost your energy level whether you are healthy or sick. In a study, it was found that 6 weeks of consistent exercise significantly reduced the feelings of fatigue for 36 healthy people who had reported being persistently fatigued.
Another study found that exercise boosts the energy levels of persons with chronic fatigue syndrome and a range of other illnesses. What is interesting is exercise was found to be more effective in treating chronic fatigue syndrome than passive therapies and other treatments.
Moreover, a study found that exercise increases the energy levels of persons with progressive illnesses like HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis and cancer.
Reduces the Risk of Chronic Diseases
Did you know that lack of regular physical activity is the root cause of several chronic diseases? Regular exercise improves cardiovascular fitness, insulin sensitivity, body composition and at the same time reduces blood pressure as well as blood fat levels.
Lack of exercise, on the other hand, leads to increased belly fat. This increases the risk of heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. As a Los Angeles health coach, I always recommend daily physical activity to reduce belly fat and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Boost Sex Drive
Regular exercises strengthen your cardiovascular system. This improves blood circulation, enhances flexibility as well as tones your muscles. All this will better your sex life. Physical activity will also improve your sexual performance and pleasure.
Other key reasons why you should exercise regularly include the following:
- Improves sleep quality
- Improves brain function and protects your memory and thinking skills
- Reduces oxidative stress in your body which in turn leads to healthy skin
- Improves your social life
- Increases chances of living longer
Regular exercise will improve every aspect of your life. The best thing is you don’t have to leave the comfort of your home during the COVID-19 pandemic to get in shape. You can take advantage of our remote health coach in LA to get started on the right path.
My name is Derek and I’m multi-certified in exercise, nutrition and integrative health coaching. Get in touch and let’s create a scientifically-backed fitness program that is tailored to you.
