How exercise can impact your health and weight What makes physical exercise really important? Regular physical activity is necessary for everyone, not only those who are carrying excess weight. Our bodies were designed to be in motion, not to be sitting around all day long. They hunger for physical movement and require this to operate effectively. As obesity rates in both adults and children continue to rise, and we are exposed to more and more toxins, chemicals and processed foods every day, a lifestyle that includes regular exercise and detoxification is recommended for individuals of all ages. The main message is to refrain from inactivity; even a little bit of exercise is preferable to none at all. In other words, being active is vital to good health and well-being and it helps to protect you from a variety of medical problems. How does exercise support general health and well-being? Though training undoubtedly helps to enhance the appearance of the body (for instance through losing fat and toning muscles), it also has benefits which are more than aesthetic. Weight training is often thought of as being only for “muscle-bound gym junkies”, but working out actually has a variety of internal benefits, which can contribute to the longevity and quality of life. Notably, it is necessary for the avoidance, management and treatment of a great number of chronic conditions, such as osteoporosis, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure. In point of fact, in both the US and Europe, there are a number of initiatives that call for physical activity and training to be standard features of both disease prevention and medical treatment. Exercise is also important for muscles and bone integrity and has a vital part to play in maintaining a strong immune system by, for instance, stimulating the lymphatic system. It's widely thought that the lymphatic system is the body's first line of defence against illness. Exercising additionally enhances blood flow, helping to carry new fuel and energy to each and every cell in the body. Just how could exercising help with slimming down? A common error that many people make when they try to lose weight is that they only think of their diet and neglect the crucial role of physical activity. Your weight depends upon the balance between the volume of calories taken in each day, compared to the number of calories used. The primary way in which physical activity can assist with weight loss is through the use of of more calories. Both cardio and resistance training can achieve this. Changing eating habits alone will not give you a toned body and will not be enough to ensure you are living a healthy lifestyle. In fact, a 2006 analysis (Weiss et al) completed by Saint Louis University reviewed the outcomes of exercise versus diet alone in losing weight. Though both sets of participants lost weight, only those who exercised preserved their strength and muscle tissue and grew their aerobic capacity. Those who dieted only, lost muscle tissue, strength and aerobic capacity. Analysis repeatedly reveals that regular exercise, along with a healthy eating plan is considered the most efficient and healthy way to manage your weight. In particular, physical exercise can have a major effect on our metabolism; when we exercise and eat sensibly, our metabolism tends to improve and use up excess fat and calories which it would not otherwise do in periods of inactivity. Support in your efforts For anyone who is new to physical activity, you'll want to take things steadily and, if necessary, talk to your physician or other qualified health practitioner before putting into effect any major modifications to your diet or commencing a new exercise regime. For many individuals, a good weight loss and exercise plan can give support and guidance in the early stages and dieticians, nutritionists and personal trainers can all help with this. In the same way, there are many of health supplements which can support both weight management and athletic performance. For example, slimmers often find that protein shakes and meal replacement powders are valuable, because not only can they offer a low-calorie supply of nourishing substances, but the high protein content helps tissue and cell repair, preserve and grow muscle and bone mass, keep the immune system strong and prevent fatigue. Several research reports have suggested that a high-protein eating plan combined with working out can support the weight loss process, raise fat loss, improve muscle tone and improve blood fat levels. As protein can assist in the repair and growth of muscle, this tends to mean that more calories are used up each day. Higher-protein diets could also potentially help slimmers to get better control over their appetites and calorie consumption, help them to regulate their blood sugar levels and minimise cravings. Whenever your heart beats faster and you breathe faster, it helps to lower your blood sugar levels (and that's why exercise is all the more valuable if you suffer from diabetes). Similarly, ensuring appropriate mineral and vitamin intake is a crucial part of any weight management programme, to ensure that you are dropping pounds in a healthy manner. For example, antioxidants (such as vitamin C) are helpful in preventing damage by free radicals, which can be released during detoxification processes. * Before changing your diet or taking health supplements, it is recommended to consult your doctor or qualified health practitioner (particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or on medications).  © Specialist Supplements Ltd 2011 This is an information site only!  0845 094 3627 Shape and Weight Management Shape and Weight Management [Home] [Health Information] [Exercise] [Detoxification] [Colon Cleansing] [About Us] [Contact Details] [Sitemap] [HTML Sitemap] [Diet] [Dietary Fibre] [Fat Burner] [Metabolism] [Slimming] [Slimming Pills] [Weight Loss] [Meal Replacements] [Blog] [Slimming Products]