by Iris W

Created on: August 05, 2008   Last Updated: August 22, 2008

Exercising is not only for those who wish to keep the fats at bay, but also (and especially) for those who want to stay healthy. The majority of us are doing sedentary work in the offices; we rarely get the chance to flex our muscles. Well, these are five good reasons why you should start now.

1) Burns those calories

The more you work out, the more calories you lose and the greater density of muscles you will form. If you want to lose weight or just maintain your current weight, then exercising will do you much good. Following a strict diet is one thing, but it's hardly going to work without any workouts at all. Even doing household chores like vacuuming or gardening are considered a form of exercise. You will also be able to increase the metabolic rate, which helps weight loss too.

And with that, you can also lower the chances of obesity, a social illness that is striking America.

2) Keep fit and get healthier

High cholesterol. Back pain. Weak bones. These are just a few diseases that often threaten our health. Taking vitamins and watching your diet helps to fight them off, but the best (and free) method is still by exercising.

Regular activity strengthens the heart muscle, lowers blood pressure, increases "good" cholesterol and lowers "bad" cholesterol. Compared to a couch potato, a person who exercises regularly will have enhanced blood flow and this helps the heart to function more efficiently. This in turn helps reduce the risk of stroke, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Researchers have also shown that regular exercise can help prevent type 2 diabetes as well. Weight-bearing exercise (such as jogging, stair climbing, or lifting weights) strengthens bone formation and prevents the bone loss often seen in women after menopause; this will benefit people with arthritis, osteoporosis and backpain. Any other light exercises can assist in healing joint pains that resulted from repetitive stress injuries (like carpal tunnel syndrome and tendinitis).

3) Improve your mood and look good too!

Feeling stressed, depressed or sombre? Do some exercises! It's true; exercising can actually lift up your mood as it stimulates various brain chemicals. Your body releases chemicals called endorphins, which improves your mood and leave you feeling happier and more relaxed than you were before you worked out.

Not only will you feel better, you will look better too! Exercising increases circulation and delivery of nutrients to skin cells and efficiently removes toxins from our body.

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