The Importance of Regular Exercise

As we age, the body begins to slow down a little bit, affecting various aspects of our health. In particular, our muscle strength, endurance, and flexibility begin to suffer. In fact, once you pass the age of 25, your total body strength decreases by 4% every decade. This can make it more and more difficult to participate in daily activities and put us at greater risk for heart disease, obesity, diabetes and other lifestyle related diseases. Regular physical exercise can help to combat the loss of this muscle strength, and bring back much needed flexibility and endurance and improve quality of life.

Our health and fitness is an integral part of our quality of life. Have you ever heard the expression "use it or lose it"? It's true! If you don't use your body, you will surely lose it. Your muscles will become flabby and weak. Your heart and lungs won't function efficiently. And your joints will be stiff and easily injured. Inactivity is as much of a health risk as smoking!

Working out is not something that you do once a week, once a month or whenever your schedule will allow, it is something that should be done regularly, CONSISTENTLY.

I like to tell my clients that working out is like putting money in the bank. The fitter we are, the better able you are to handle illness, aging, and other stresses in our life. I was very fit when I was diagnosed with cancer. The surgery and treatment were rather grueling, but I believe that my fitness helped me in my recovery.

What we do today to maintain health and fitness is going to pay dividends in the future. Like life itself, it is how we handle the setbacks in our life that define not only how sweet the victory but how well we succeed. A fitter YOU will be a stronger and happier YOU.

“Accomplishment – like life – will prove to be a journey, not a destination.”

I really love this quote. It serves to remind us that although our goals, dreams, and desires, are in the future, what is important is the NOW. It is our daily, regular exercise routine that is important. In order to make your journey of life a little easier, start working out today.