Why Exercise Really Matters
Do you exercise?
If you answered no, then you need to get on that…ASAP!
If you answered yes, then I want to know why. I am willing to bet your answer may have something to do with your weight.
While maintaining a healthy weight is important, there are some much bigger reasons why you should be moving and shaking every single day.
You were built to move – We have these funny little things called joints, and those joints allow us to move our body parts in a multitude of directions. Like a rusty door hinge, neglected joints just don’t work as efficiently. Give them the grease by utilizing your full range of motion.
Stagnation = Symptoms – According to Chinese medicine you have a system of vessels called the Jing mai that traverse the body from head to toe. The Jing mai are responsible for moving blood and qi (oxygen) through the body. When the vessels get obstructed, stagnation occurs and negative symptoms manifest. Regular exercise (and acupuncture of course!) is one of the best ways to keep everything moving and prevent the vessels from becoming obstructed.
The inside needs it just as much as the outside – Increased blood flow and oxygenation enable all of your organs to function more efficiently. While you may not directly feel the effects on say your heart or lungs (even though they are improving), you will likely notice that your systems of digestion and elimination are more active. That alone might keep you coming back for more!
Muscles aren’t just for show – With the intense focus on aesthetics, it is easy to forget that our muscular system serves a very important purpose – To support our entire structure and keep us upright! (No big deal) With this in mind, don’t you want to keep that system as strong as possible as you age? Not only that, stronger muscles lead to stronger bones.
Exercise relieves stress and improves mood – It might feel like pulling teeth to get to the gym, but have you ever regretted working out? Didn’t think so. Really take note of how you feel after your next workout. Notice if you are happier or if the day’s problems suddenly feel much smaller. Exercise can be very therapeutic so remember that next time you are thinking about skipping a workout.
Even if you have a block around exercise or you are already happy with your weight, I hope these ideas will encourage you to hit the gym anyway!