And it just makes you feel good. Exercise releases endorphins, your body’s natural happy pill. The more endorphins you have coursing through your veins, the better you feel.
Moderate and Steady Wins the Energy Race
That picture you have in your head of being chained to the treadmill, drenched in sweat, pounding away for hours, just to reap these benefits – throw it out. Long, grueling exercise only leads to fatigue for most people.
What takes you to the finish line in your everyday life is regular, moderate exercise. A brisk walk, a bike ride, an aerobics class can all do the job – anything that gets your heart rate and breathing up.
Not quite there yet? Low-intensity activities work too. One study showed that regular, low-intensity exercise, such as leisurely walking, helped inactive adults who suffered from fatigue increase their energy by 20 percent and decrease tiredness by 65 percent.
If you have a choice between not moving and moving – move!
Experts are quite clear on this point: Get 30 to 60 minutes of exercise three to five days a week for improved energy as well as to help prevent heart disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer. But if you can’t hit that target for whatever reason, do something.
One of the biggest mistakes people make is having an all-or-nothing mentality. If you can realistically only commit to working out three days a week, remember that three is better than zero! Even if you can devote only 10 or 20 minutes to exercise, you’ll always feel better afterward.
Catch some Zzzzz!
To lose weight and feel great getting good shut-eye is a must. While quality sleep helps our bodies and our minds repair and recharge, chronic sleep deprivation creates persistent fatigue. And many of us are not getting the seven to nine hours a night we need. When we’re tired, our bodies crave high carbohydrate foods like sugary snacks. Sweets mean more calories, not to mention that sugar crash we know is coming. Plus, when we’re sleep deprived, our bodies hold on to calories and fat. And, as if that weren’t bad enough, when we’re tired, we’re less likely to exercise.
But you can flip that downward spiral on its end and create a positive routine instead. Get good, regular sleep and you’ll have more energy for every part of your day. You’ll have more energy to exercise and be active. You’ll be more ready to tackle the stress. And you’ll look and feel great!
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. The information on this site is for information purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from a physician or other health care professional or any information contained in product labeling. You should consult a healthcare professional before starting any diet, supplement or exercise program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem.
