Daily Exercise

The term "use it or loose it" can be applied to many things in life such as our talents, ideas, thoughts, actions, and the health of our minds and bodies. The more we make use of what we have now, the more it grows to be of better use to us in the future.

Benefits of Exercise

Some of the many benefits of all forms of exercise include:

Increasing energy, flexibility, strength and endurance

Increasing production of hormones and other body chemicals such as DHEA, HGH, serotonin, testosterone and endorphins

Regulating blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, hormones and body weight

Improving nutrient absorption, digestion, metabolism, circulation, oxygenation, detoxification and immunity

Promoting the growth of new brain and nerve cells, thereby improving memory, learning and cognitive ability

Aerobic Exercise

Swimming, jogging, biking, power yoga (i.e., a form of yoga performed in a swift, flowing manner) and other aerobic exercises strengthen the entire body, especially cardiovascular and respiratory systems. True aerobic workouts increase the body's oxygen production and consumption by increasing the pulse to what is called a "target heart rate", and keeping it there for at least 15-45 minutes. To calculate your own target heart rate, get an average maximum heart rate first by subtracting your age from 220, then multiply this number by 50-85% depending on the intended intensity of exercise workouts.

Resistance Exercise

Resistance exercise could rightfully be called anaerobic exercise, because although it increases metabolism and consumption of oxygen, it does not increase production of oxygen as aerobics do. Resistance exercises such as weight training and bodyweight calisthenics increase bone density, tone and build muscle. Building more muscle is actually accomplished by ripping tears in the muscles, which stimulates the growth of new muscle to fill in the gaps (thus the term "ripped"). Heavier weights and fewer repetitions build muscle, while less weight and more repetitions tones muscle and increases endurance.

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