It doesn’t matter what age you are, the minute you start exercising you’ll begin to feel the benefits (provided you don’t overdo it on your first day!) A number of studies have proven the health benefits of regular physical exercise and each of them agree that working out can improve your overall health and even prevent disease.
Fitmark Ambassador: Joe Warren
Lifestyle: Online Coach, IFBB Pro Athlete, Business Owner
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Knowing firsthand what an impact exercise has had his own health, Fitmark Ambassador Joe Warren blogs about these topics to inspire others so they too can reap the benefits of working out. He said:
As you age, an active lifestyle is more important than ever. Regular exercise can help boost energy, maintain your independence and manage symptoms of illness or pain. Exercise can even reverse some of the symptoms of aging.
As a longtime athlete just turned 50, Joe’s been living an active, healthy lifestyle for years. Ever since he made the decision to lose weight and get in shape, his life has changed for the better. Growing up 40 pounds overweight wasn’t any fun and he was determined not to bring that lifestyle into adulthood. With “education, dedication and hard work,” he lost the weight, moved to California and became an online coach so he could help other people change their lives through fitness. He says:
Not only is exercise good for your body, it’s also good for mind, mood and memory. A recent study found that exercise was the number one contributor to longevity, adding years to your life even if you don’t start exercising until your senior years. It’s not just about adding years to your life, it’s about adding life to your years. You will not only look better when you exercise, you will feel sharper, more energetic and experience a greater sense of well being.
This study, Joe mentioned, set out to find the optimal amount of exercise a person needs to live a longer, healthier life, and it puts into question the 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. The bare minimum as recommended in this guideline is 75 vigorous-intensity minutes or 150 moderate-intensity minutes of aerobic exercise per week. The study found that triple this amount is the sweet spot when it comes to health benefits and longevity. But it stresses that any level of daily physical activity is better than none at all.
Add Life To Your Years
As Joe said, healthy aging is all about living a high quality of life well into your senior years. With a heart healthy diet and regular exercise routine, you are more likely to live longer and disease free. Exercise gets the heart pumping, improves the blood circulation, cuts down on bad cholesterol and helps regulate blood glucose levels so you can maintain a healthy weight throughout your life. Joe says:
Exercise helps aging adults maintain or lose weight. The metabolism naturally slows with age and maintaining a healthy weight is a problem. However, regular exercise will increase metabolism and helps build lean muscle mass, which can burn more calories.
Exercise Increases Flexibility, Mobility and Balance
Some things you just take for granted when you’re younger like flexibility, mobility and balance – three very important factors of longevity and maintaining strength as you age. Which is why Joe recommends strength training as part of your regular exercise program. He says:
Strength training also helps alleviate the symptoms of chronic conditions such as arthritis.
Exercise Improves Sleep
Another benefit of exercise is improved sleep. Tired muscles sleep better and need that rest in order to develop and get stronger. There’s nothing quite as satisfying as getting a good night’s rest and we all know how much better we feel when we do. Joe says, “Quality sleep improves your overall health.”
Exercise Feels Good
But probably one of the most telling health benefits of exercise is the effect it has on your mental health. Joe says, “Exercise will boost your mood and your self-confidence; it’s a huge stress reliever.”
It’s never too late to start working out, even if it’s setting up a walking program and challenging yourself to walk a certain number of steps a day. The important thing is to get moving and progress from there. Physical exercise makes you feel good and is the key to longevity. Take it from Joe. He says, “My birth certificate says I am 50, but I feel like I am 35.”
You can find Fitmark Ambassador Joe Warren @ JoeTheFitPro.com
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