July 2003
What Happens When You Excercise
Whenever one talks about healthy living the subject of exercise always gets mentioned. Did you ever wonder why this simple process seems so important? The following is a brief synopsis of your body’s reaction to exercise:
When you put your body into physical motion your cells are instantly aroused from their resting state of balance to meet the increased demand placed upon them. First, additional oxygen is required to fuel the metabolic functions necessary for sustained action. The respiratory and circulatory functions must gear up to deliver oxygen loaded blood to working muscles. Next metabolism must accelerate in order to begin to produce larger amounts of body waste products. These products are carried to waste-removal sites such as the lungs and kidneys for expulsion from your body. Sweating will be another by-product of exercise which is the body’s way of cooling down and maintaining a safe temperature. Your heart pumps faster and you breathe more rapidly as these processes take place, making these vital organs work most efficiently. These functions rid the body of excess waste and tone vital organs for optimum performance.
Physical activity is essential to a healthy lifestyle. Being active significantly lowers your chances of developing potentially fatal diseases and helps you stay disability-free as you age. Specific benefits of regular exercise are:
- Lower risk of early death
- Lower risk of heart disease
- Lower risk of high blood pressure ( expect a drop of high blood pressure if you have it)
- Better weight control
- Lower risk of diabetes
- Lower risk of colon cancer
- Increased bone strength
- Improved balance
- Lower risk of depression and anxiety
- Increased energy level
- Overall sense of well being
- Lower cholesterol readings
We have an excellent program of opportunity to stay active and healthy here at our Baptist Retirement Communities. One may join the morning stroll group, try out the water aerobics, or use the well equipped gym room and enjoy his or her body’s response.
We monitor blood pressures each month. There are also discussion times to discover answers to health questions.