Did you hear that sitting is the new smoking? This is what we now hear instead of the term couch potato. I cannot stress to you how important it is to have movement in your life. I don’t care how healthy your diet is, if you don’t get movement in your day, you're missing a huge part of being healthy.
There are so many reasons why movement is beneficial for both your physical and mental well-being. Here are some of those reasons.
1. Regular movement helps improve your cardiovascular fitness, strengthens muscles and bones, and enhances overall physical strength and endurance. It reduces the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and certain types of cancer.
2. Engaging in movement can help you lose weight by burning calories and increasing your metabolism. Combined with a healthy diet, exercise can help you maintain a healthy weight or achieve weight loss goals.
3. Movement has a profound impact on mental well-being. It stimulates the release of endorphins, which are natural mood-boosting chemicals in the brain. Regular movement can reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, and enhance your overall emotional well-being.
4. Movement has been linked to improved cognitive function, including enhanced memory, attention, and problem-solving skills. It promotes neuroplasticity and the growth of new brain cells, which can potentially reduce the risk of cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
5. Having movement in your day can increase energy levels and helps fight feelings of fatigue. It also improves sleep quality, making it easier to fall asleep and promotes deeper, more restorative sleep.
6. Leading an active lifestyle has been associated with a longer life expectancy and a higher quality of life. Regular movement can help you maintain independence as you age, improve mobility, and reduce the risk of falls and injuries.
7. Movement has a positive impact on your immune system, making you more resistant to certain illnesses and infections. It can enhance the production of antibodies and white blood cells, improving your overall immune response.
8. Participating in group classes, team sports, or simply getting out and walking with friends and family can provide opportunities for social interaction and strengthen relationships. It can contribute to feelings of belonging and provide a support system for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
These are all really good reasons for you to get moving.
Please notice that I don’t use the term exercise. At the age of 58, the word exercise makes my body feel uncomfortable. As a personal trainer for many years I pushed my body hard, and this doesn’t work for us today.
If you’re still working out the way you used to and the weight isn’t coming off, you may not understand it, but you know what I’m talking about. The way we used to exercise doesn’t work in a positive way after menopause because estrogen is our exercise recovery hormone, and when we don’t have enough of it for our bodies to recover from exercise it causes inflammation and keeps the weight on.
That’s why I use the word movement. We need to be moving throughout the day, getting up from our chairs and stretching, taking a walk, meeting friends for activities that don’t include alcohol and bar food. Yes, lifting weights or even body weight movement is important to keep the muscles we have and this should be incorporated into your movement. Walk with light weights in your hands doing curls or, instead of channel surfing during commercials do some squats or wall pushups. This is included in movement.
Need help fitting movement in your life? Click here to schedule a Discover call to see how I can support your journey.
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