| In my last article I discussed three ways you can | | | | ailments it is advisable that you consult your doctor |
| help improve your current fitness levels. By | | | | for advice. They will be able to tell you the best |
| implementing positive lifestyle changes, using the | | | | exercises for your particular condition. For example, |
| services of a fitness trainer and taking advantage of | | | | intensive running is unlikely to be suitable for people |
| fitness equipment you can quickly start to improve | | | | suffering from arthiritis. |
| your fitness levels. With these improved fitness levels | | | | 4) IMPROVED MENTAL CAPACITY:- There are a |
| come a number of benefits which I will discuss in this | | | | number of theories that suggest physical exercise |
| article. | | | | can improve your brain. One theory is that the |
| 1) INCREASED ENERGY LEVELS:- When you exercise | | | | dicipline of sticking to a training routine gives you the |
| your heart works harder to pump the blood through | | | | dicipline to organise your mind. Another suggestion is |
| your body. As you continue to exercise the strength | | | | that when you exercise you empty your mind of the |
| of your heart increases and it can pump more blood | | | | stress and worries associated with your life and |
| throughout your body, providing more energy to | | | | become easily focussed. A third theory is that |
| muscles where it is needed. Your other muscles also | | | | physical exercise triggers a feeling of happiness and |
| have to work harder as you exercise and this | | | | relaxation because it promotes the release of |
| increases their stamina levels. The overall impact is | | | | additional chemicals (some believe endorphins, others |
| improved energy levels for you. | | | | believe anandamide). |
| 2) IMPROVED APPEARANCE:- Regular exercise will | | | | 5) IMPROVED RELAXATION:- If you exercise |
| improve the way your body looks, even if this was | | | | regularly you have a number of slots each week |
| not your original aim. By doing the exercises you will | | | | which allow you to escape from everything else that |
| burn fat and tone your muscles. Even if your fitness | | | | is going on in your life. You can use this time to think |
| program focuses on specific areas of your body, you | | | | about anything you want without any worries. This |
| will notice improvements in other areas too. For | | | | may be the only time you get to truly relax and |
| example, if you are training to tone your arms, your | | | | escape from your 'normal life'. Regular exercise also |
| chest and shoulders will also show some | | | | increases your body temperature and has a soothing |
| improvement. | | | | effect which lowers your anxiety and stress levels |
| 3) IMPROVED BODY RESISTANCE:- Regular exercise | | | | and helps you sleep more soundly. |
| will allow your body to build a resistance to a number | | | | As you can see fitness training has many positive |
| of ailments. If you suffer from diabetes, high blood | | | | benefits. If you do not exercise regularly at the |
| pressure, high cholesterol or arthiritis, exercising | | | | moment why not give it a try? You do not have |
| regularly can help reduce the symptoms. If you are | | | | much to lose and there are potentially massive |
| exercising to improve your resistance to certain | | | | benefits to gain. |