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For some reason 'exercise' seems to have acquired a bad reputation. It seems that people are more able to relate to high-profile actors and singers who claim that they love fast food whilst at the same time shun the gym and other forms of physical activity. Clearly, though, most celebrities are in good shape, so they either have very good genes or their lifestyle isn't as unhealthy as they maintain. However, most of us prefer to cling on to the idea that exercise is not an important part of a celebrity's lifestyle because it makes us feel less bad about our own laziness!

It doesn't have to be like that, though, because exercise really isn't all that bad, at least not once you have made it part of your routine. It is recommended that adults engage in moderate physical activity for at least half an hour five days a week. There is some debate about whether low-intensity physical activity raises heart levels enough for people to obtain much benefit, but surely doing any kind of exercise is better than nothing. Indeed, if exercise is to be incorporated into a person's lifestyle it is important that it involves activities which keep them interested, because otherwise it becomes very hard to stay motivated, making it even easier to throw in the towel.

The actual act of beginning a new exercise regime can be the most difficult aspect of lifestyle change, particularly if you are very unfit, and it is often advisable to consult with a doctor before embarking on a new exercise programme. If you are not used to doing exercise it can be hard to know where to start and how to fit exercise into your everyday life, but even just walking to work instead of taking the car can make a difference. Hopefully, once you have started building up your stamina and fitness levels it will be easier to engage in more high-intensity activities.

Exercise is often seen as something time-consuming, pain-inducing and only useful when you need to lose weight. However, exercise can also help individuals to maintain a certain weight, and has other associated health benefits including the fact that it reduces the risk of developing heart disease and cancer, it boosts the immune system and helps promote healthy blood sugar levels. Exercise can also help increase self-confidence and prevent depression, as well as increasing brain function. After intense levels of exercise your body may feel tired, but often your mind is clear, and you feel happier, since exercise encourages the body to release endorphins which give people a natural high. Eating chocolate can also stimulate the release of endorphins, but it's not quite as good for you as exercising!

Exercise can also lead people to develop new hobbies and to make more friends, and since exercise works most effectively when it is integrated into people's lives, this can help encourage them to stay with an exercise plan and to make it part of their lives. Some people do take exercising to extremes, particularly if they have a goal in mind such as becoming a weight-lifter or being involved in other sporting competitions, but for most people exercise is a way in which to become healthier and fitter and to stay that way.

Learn more about this author, Michelle Wilkinson.
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