If you exercise only to lose weight then it’s time to RETHINK. Fitness is NOT a short term goal. You may start exercising with an initial goal of losing weight however your core goal should be to get fitter and think beyond weight loss.
Here are just 5 ways exercise improves our health, no matter how much we weigh:
1. Better cardiorespiratory fitness
Cardiorespiratory fitness is a measure of how far and hard you can run without needing to stop, or how many stairs you can climb without being out of breath. Running for longer, or climbing more stairs, means you have a higher absolute cardiorespiratory fitness which cannot be improved with weight loss alone.
2. Lowered risk of heart disease and stroke
Exercise reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke, even in those with a chronic disease such as diabetes, high blood pressure and reduces inflammation in the body
3. Reducing the ‘bad’ fat
when we exercise regularly, we increase our body’s ability to use fat as a fuel source as well as requiring more energy at rest.
4. Mental health benefits
Research has consistently shown that people who exercise (regardless of body size and shape) have better mental health and lower levels of stress, depression and emotional problems.
It does this via blood flow to the brain, increased release of endorphins that make us feel happy, and by helping to moderate the brain’s response to stress
5. Preventing weight gain
While exercise may not help us lose a lot of weight on the scales, it’s a good way to keep weight off and prevent weight regain.
I repeat “Don’t exercise just to lose weight”