The benefits of exercise are well-known. Exercise can help you lose weight, maintain a healthy weight, manage your blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. But what happens in your body when you exercise?
Endorphin Production
When you work out, your body starts to produce endorphins. These are hormones that are similar to opiates, which you may know of as the addictive ingredient in drugs like morphine. Endorphins are responsible for the “high” you feel when you exercise.
Endorphin production is your body’s way of protecting itself from muscle pain and soreness that might result from exertion during a workout. They also help reduce stress and anxiety.
Endorphins are released in response to a number of stimuli, including pain, fear, stress, laughter, and orgasm. So it’s no wonder that working out can make you feel good!
Stress Relief
Exercise releases endorphins, which are hormones that have mood-enhancing and stress-relieving properties. In addition, exercise often leads to improved self-esteem, energy levels, and concentration. You may also find that your sleep quality improves when you work out consistently.
Insulin Production
Exercise causes a rise in insulin production, which is a good thing! Insulin brings sugar from the blood into the cells, where it can be used for energy. This rise in insulin production helps keep blood sugar levels stable and prevents them from spiking after a meal.
Improved Cardiovascular Function
Regular aerobic exercise strengthens your heart and improves its ability to pump blood throughout your body. This improved cardiovascular function can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Weight Loss
Exercise is an important part of any weight loss program. Exercise helps you burn calories and lose weight in a healthy way. When you combine exercise with a healthy diet, you can achieve sustainable weight loss results.
Improved Bone Density
Bone density decreases as we age, which can lead to osteoporosis and an increased risk of fractures. Exercise can help improve bone density and reduce your risk of developing these conditions.
Do you need professional help when exercising?
Yes, exercise physiologists help people exercise safely by designing exercise programs that are best for their individual needs. They also monitor the exercise compliance of clients to determine what exercise changes need to be made to ensure long-term exercise success. Exercise physiologists help with weight loss and disease management through exercise prescription.
A professional who has a degree in exercise science can help you design a safe and effective exercise program that meets your individual needs. When it comes to exercise, it’s always best to consult a person who knows more than you do.
Things to Avoid When Exercising
While exercise is generally good for you, there are some things to keep in mind when you’re working out.
Don’t push yourself to do more than your body is ready for. If you feel pain or discomfort while exercising, stop what you’re doing until the pain goes away completely. Once it does, start back slowly at low levels of exertion. You can gradually build up to more intense exercise as you are able.
Don’t skimp on sleep, eat a healthy diet, and drink plenty of water. If your body isn’t getting the rest it needs or is eating junk food all the time, you won’t be able to achieve optimal results from your workouts.
Don’t overdo it. It’s important to find a balance between exercise and rest. If you’re working out too much, you may end up feeling exhausted and burned out. Take a day off now and then to allow your body to recover.
Proper Ways to Exercise
Keep these things in mind when you’re designing your workout program:
It’s generally a good idea to work out at least three times per week, with one day of rest between sessions. This way, you give your muscles time to recover and repair themselves so that they can get stronger.
Vary your workouts so that you don’t get bored. Try new activities and work different muscle groups as often as you can. This will keep your workouts fun and challenging so that you stick with them.
Warming Up and Cooling Down
It’s important to warm up before you start exercising and to cool down when you’re finished. Warming up prepares your body for exercise by increasing blood flow, which delivers more oxygen to your muscles. It also helps to lubricate the joints with synovial fluid so that they move smoothly.
Cooling down after a workout is just as important. This helps to bring your heart rate down slowly and reduces muscle fatigue after you’re finished exercising.
Warming up should last around five minutes while cooling down usually takes about 10 minutes. Make sure that these parts of your workout are included in any exercise program you design for yourself.
Exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. By understanding what happens in your body when you exercise, you can make smart exercise choices and achieve optimal results.
