I was at a fitness conference over the weekend and I realized how far we've evolved in the fitness world since I started training some 15 years ago (I know - hard to believe I could start personal training when I was only 5 years old, right?). Back in the day, it was all about feeling the burn and getting washboard abs. Now, it's still about washboard abs for some people, but the emphasis is on:
- Functional training - Exercises that mimic how the body works and, thus, make us stronger in daily life
- Health - Looking good is still something we strive for but, in the fitness world, there's an emphasis on being healthy - lower blood pressure, lower LDL cholesterol, reducing the risk of diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc.
- Aging well - We now know that many of the problems with aging - losing strength, flexibility and agility - are things we can actually change with exercise.
With all the talk about weight loss, we sometimes forget the other things exercise does for us. Today, I'd like to hear about your experiences. Has exercise improved your health? Vote in this week's poll and leave a comment to tell us how (or if) exercise has made a difference in your health.
For this poll we should have been able to select multiple choices because AT LEAST three or four apply to me!
Begging your pardon: at least 3 or 4 of the GOOD results apply to me.
Questions are too specific, exercise benefits cover more than what is asked. Exercise is key to life.
Those who do not choose to make time for exercise, will eventually be forced to make time for illness…” A very inspirational quote for me…as it should be for everyone!
4 of the choices apply to me. First I lost a ton of weight thru exercise and better eating which resolved a lot of health issues. Now the regular workouts have made me stronger and more resilient.
I have had heart surgery – artery re-clogged. 2 stents. Asthma since age 50 – now 67. Hep C since 1977. Broken rt hip. Mensa in rt arm. Exercise 6 times per week. Live at 4,600 ft. Road bike 3 times wk x 20 to 30 miles at fitness HR. Lift 3 times wk x 3 sets x 2 hrs. Cholesterol 180 liver enzymes normal. Maintain 8 acres.Good life.
Sleepy! Make that MRSSA (I think). Infection rt arm. 10 days in hospital, 5 weeks antibiotics. Hand surgeon saved right arm.
RE Ron’s: MRSA (Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) Getting to be a super bug. Lucky you had a good doctor. I’ve seen it where I work.
Yeah, you’re right. I’d resigned myself to losing the arm. Surgeon said, “Say the word and I’ll have you on the table tonight.” They finished, put a splint on the wrist and my elbow, and said, “We’ll take a look at it in 3 wks.” Agonizing pain continued but after 3 wks home IV with Vancomycin, took off the cast and it didn’t look any worse!
I kept asking, “When’s it going to quit hurting?” Surgeon kept talking in turns of months. Got lucky.
ron
wah the only button I could check was other ? anyway all things improved. Energy, sleep, blood pressure, looks etc. etc. etc. My personal test ? getting in and out of a car I move slick as a feline. The only down side ? now I am the guy who gets to lift all the heavy stuff !!
Running reversed slightly enlarged heart and elevated HDL to high level needed to avoid re-blocking of arteries. Family history trumped 16 years of “normal” cholesterol levels.
Up until last August I worked out around 5 times a week. Most of the positive comments were valid for me. Unfortunately I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and am having some complications that prevent me from any exercise. Now I am weak, have no endurance an lost substantial muscle mass. I can’t wait till I can work out again.
I picked “other” because the bouncing back after illness and injury applies to me as well as sleeping better and having more energy. Unfortunately, I’ve been in a funk lately and haven’t been as regular in my workouts as I’d like to be. The nice thing is that everyday is a new opportunity to get back on the wagon. Onward!
Go Tracy! My right arm and hand was barely moveable after my last wrist surgery. You’ve got to train and be ready for that next hit. Bad kids get dinged every now and then and it gets worse as you get older.
I am a 34-yr old mother of 5 yr old twins. My cholestrol, LDL, BP, Sugar and triglycerides were always very good however my HDL was always less than 20, ONLY and ONLY after I started exercising I saw that go up, it is currently at 35 And I intend it to go up even higher so I am not stopping exercise anymore.
I have always exercised so I do not know if it has changed my health, however, My parents and sibling are over weight, with lots of health issues, I am 43 and healthy…so far!
For me, exercise is like paying taxes or going to work in the morning: my logical brain says that it is something that I ought to because it’s a good thing. My emotional brain says otherwise – the endless aches, pains and mood swings aren’t exactly enjoyable!
I agree about the multiple choices as several apply to me, too. Most importantly, after major back surgery in 2005, exercise saved my sanity & restored my physical fitness. While I am not able to run like I used to, I have recovered to “almost triathlete in training” status. I’d encourage everyone to keep at it – every little bit helps!