What’s It Good For? The Short & Long-Term Benefits of Exercise.

Oh the merry holidays are peeking around the corner and next thing you know it’ll be 2011! What’s to be in the new year? Will it be a year to finally get in shape? Sure, why not right? Gym memberships always increase tenfold once January hits, it’s as sure as Christmas occurring on Dec. 25.

For all those health bugs out there ready to make a fresh start in the new year, here’s a little list highlighting the many of the benefits that occur as you’re working out, all the way to the benefits you’ll feel by 2012 (because 2011 is the year you commit and it’s the year you go 12 months straight at keeping up your workout program!) Keep this ‘what’s it good for’ list fresh in your mind at all times, I guarantee it’ll help keep you to keep lacing up those shoes and lifting those weights all year-long!

As you’re working out…

You’re helping to improve your lung functioning which helps to get more oxygen out to the working muscles.

Within one hour after working out…

You’re still burning calories at an increased rate just by going about your daily activities.

Within one day after working out…

You’re heart is functioning better. Studies have shown that one good cardio session lowers your blood pressure for up to 16 hours.

Within one week of regular exercise…

Your body is becoming more efficient. Your endurance and aerobic capacity have increased about 5 percent. So you can now go a little farther and a little longer.

Within one month of regular exercise…

Your brain functioning is improving. Your brain is a muscle just like any other in your body and regular exercise helps activate growth-stimulating proteins in your noggin which may help to form new brain cells. (Remember all those college activities that may have killed off a few? No? Well anyway, regular exercise can help to reclaim a little of your youth!)

Within one year of regular exercise…

You’re a whole new person than you were last year. You body functions on a much higher level, your lean muscles are burning fat at a much higher rate, your heart is functioning way more efficiently and you’re not as moody and cranky as you used to be. You enjoy a ‘runner’s high’ much more often now!

And let’s not forget to mention your decreased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity, breast cancer, depression, stress, anxiety… just to name a few! And for those who need still more convincing that starting a regular exercise routine is beneficial, check this out.