Self Help

Almost 3,000 years ago Aristotle helped to define the standards of fitness. He taught that something that suits its purpose well is “fit.”

The purpose behind the body’s major systems (the cardiovascular system, lungs, skeleton, muscles and endocrine system) is to help us live well. Exercise helps out with this in numerous ways.

When your physical activity increases, your heart is forced to work harder. This increases your blood flow, provides lots of fresh oxygen to your tissues and removes cellular waste products from your body. When you exercise on a regular basis you also raise the good type of cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein or HDL). Blood sugar levels are also regulated while your fat is converted into sugar that is used as energy. This is how obesity is prevented.

Of course, the benefits of a regular exercise program are a lot more obvious. Some of the most popular goals are to increase muscle mass, tone certain areas, and create healthier looking skin. With these goals naturally come greater strength, improved balance, higher endurance and a better mindset.

Different types of routines emphasize certain areas more than others. For instance, aerobic exercise helps the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems. Weight lifting helps build and tone muscles. Yoga and pilates help with balance, flexibility and muscular control. You should know though that each of these exercises do more than just what is intended. This is because the body is an integrated system, so when you improve one area you will receive beneficial consequences in other areas as well.

You can have all of these great benefits by simply putting forth minimal effort each day. This means that you need to work out at moderate intensity for 30 minutes, 5 days per day.

There are many simple activities that you can do without any special equipment or training. For instance you can take a brisk walk, take the stairs instead of the elevator, go for a short job or jump rope.

If you properly do more intense exercise you can be even healthier. Playing tennis, swimming a few laps, or spending an hour on either a treadmill or exercise bike will work well here. Your fitness can be raised to peak level with only a moderate investment of time and money on your part.

Those people who are truly committed there are gym classes and tons of home fitness equipment for every budget level. When you create a daily routine for yourself that includes free weights followed by a good jog all of your systems will function well.

As Aristotle taught centuries ago: to function well is to live well.