Reaping The Rewards of Exercise

People constantly adjust aspects of their lives. Some people make changes to their family life; they might decide to expand their family by having children, to remarry after a divorce or death of a spouse, or to share their home with a needy friend or relative. Other individuals make changes regarding their health; they may attempt to stop smoking, to adjust their diet in order to attain a healthier weight, or to become more active.

Why Exercise?

There are many benefits to be gained from regular exercise. Being physically active can help people to maintain weight loss or to avoid gaining excess weight in the first place. In addition to feeling better physically, a person’s mood may improve due to exercise’s ability to stimulate calming brain chemicals. Individuals often find that their self-esteem and confidence levels increase when they exercise.

Physical activity can also have a social component. Many folks enjoy the camaraderie of a team sport or fitness group Jersey City NJ. These enthusiasts might also benefit from the increased motivation that comes from not wanting to disappoint their teammates or the others in their exercise class by being absent.

How Much Exercise?

If someone has a specific fitness goal or a certain health condition, he or she will likely need an individualized plan. Some general recommendations intended for healthy adults are provided by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). These guidelines suggest engaging in a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity during the week. People could also combine both types of physical activity.

The guidelines also recommend that, if possible, individuals exercise throughout the week and incorporate strength training. It’s important to remember that as with many things in life, something is better than nothing. Even if people do not exercise as often as the DHHS suggests, they can still benefit from even a small amount of physical activity and feel good about themselves for doing so.