Exercise as the Fountain of Vitality

I do not hate exercise but I love food. So to continue my love affair with food I have to increase my like for exercise. To continue my like for exercise I have to go to some sort of exercise class because I get side tracked on my own.  To those of you more disciplined, I say in all sincerity “Bite Me”! Notice even my sarcasm is food related.

Have you noticed that your doctor is slim? Had surgery recently and noticed your surgeon is thin? The reasons are usually because they see the health damage of too much fat and weight. Even some surgical procedures are tremendously compromised by inner fat. In medical jargon there is a polite way to say this but the bottom line is sometimes organs cannot be seen and worked on because of layers of fat! Just to set the record straight, thin people have their own health issues too and thin people can still have lots of inner fat around vital organs also.

So back to exercise and it’s overall benefits. The quick answer is that there are many benefits to your whole being that comes from some form of exercise.  Yoga has devout followers, as do the bikers, walkers, dancers, swimmers, hikers, skiers, rowers and body builders. With so many options certainly we can all do something, right? Well finding that match is ever changing as we age and life circumstances change.

I have been lucky enough to be involved with an exercise clinical trial for the last 7 years. Between hurting my back I have been involved in aerobics, strength training, water aerobics, swimming, cross training and Tai Chi classes. The trials are proving the point that exercise is good for you! Of course that is a simplification but the key points are:

Variety so you don’t get bored

Variety so you use your brain

10-60 minutes daily is better than nothing

Socialize with your exercise mates

Stay with a program

Move

The vitality achieved from an exercise program is undisputed. Can vitality can be seen as a more youthful appearance?  I certainly hope so! My friend Mary feels exercise has saved her life.  She went from a participant in a class to an instructor. Her mental acuity is improved, her mood, her stamina, her weight, her overall fitness has improved.

Has exercise become the fountain of vitality for you?