Exercises Increase mental Agility

Exercise over the long term has been proven to improve brain function. It increases oxygen levels and blood flow to the brain while increasing levels of chemicals such as serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine, which are associated with cognition.

Fitness workouts are also proven to prevent “senior moments.” After the age of 30, the brain starts to lose tissue in areas associated with cognition and memory. Exercise increases neurogenesis, the production of neurons, and thus prevents loss of tissue, improves memory and keeps the brain young. Physical activity has also been proven to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s Disease.

If you can’t fit in 30 minutes of exercise a day, make sure that you exercise for at least 20 minutes on most days of the week to ensure peak physical fitness and increase brain function.

Increase Energy

One of the best benefits of fitness is the increase in energy you get from fitness workouts. It can be hard to exercise when you feel fatigued, but it only takes a little physical activity to increase your energy levels. Sedentary people who participate in a regular exercise program reported increased energy when compared to people who did not exercise, according to a 2006 University of Georgia study.

It is normal to experience some fatigue after exercising, but this usually fades after a half an hour or so. The more consistently you work out, the faster your body will adjust to exercise. As your body gets accustomed to your physical fitness routine, it will take less time to recover and you will experience more of an energy boost. If you are involved in a particularly strenuous or intense workout, make sure you get enough sleep and rest between workouts.

Weight Management

Trying to lose a few extra pounds you packed on during the holidays? You’ve tried cutting calories, eating smaller portions and even eliminated all junk food from your diet but those stubborn pounds just won’t go away. You’ve reached the dreaded “diet plateau,” which usually happens after your body adjusts to a decreased calorie intake.

Diet alone will not eliminate those few extra pounds around your middle. If you want a way to keep off the pounds permanently and revitalize your diet, you must develop a regular fitness workout routine. Exercise helps you burn off extra calories that would otherwise be stored as fat.

Most fitness articles recommend moderate cardio for 30 to 40 minutes four times a week to burn fat and keep the weight off, but the amount of exercise varies according to your size and weight goals. If you are trying to lose weight you will need to work out more than if you are trying to maintain your weight. If you have been working out regularly and aren’t seeing results, increase the intensity and frequency of your workouts. Switch up your workout routine so you are using different muscle groups. Try a new weight machine, or go for a swim instead of using the treadmill.

Get a better night sleep

Insomnia is one of the more common problems reported among postmenopausal women. If you are one of those who suffer with sleep problems, factor regular fitness workouts into your schedule.

Studies show that morning exercise can help you fall asleep, while exercise at night can make it harder to fall asleep. Though researchers are unsure as to why regular morning aerobic activity helps people catch Z’s, some believe that exercise helps steady your body’s natural Circadian rhythms and also stabilizes stress hormones. Exercise can also help you fall into a deeper sleep, faster. If you have Insomnia, avoid working out three to four hours before you go to bed and instead try relaxation exercises such as stretching, yoga or tai chi. Increased rest and relaxation is only one of the many benefits of physical fitness.

Decrease risk of breast cancer

Recent health and fitness articles published by the Archives of Internal Medicine suggest that exercise can cut the risk of breast cancer by up to 20 percent. Many doctors highly recommend exercise to women who have a history of breast cancer in their family or are at an increased risk.

Just a few fitness workouts per week can also help women who already have breast cancer. Though exercise is not a substitute for medical treatment, researchers have found that physical activity can help those with breast cancer fight the disease. Exercise can increase flexibility and strength, and can deter weight gain and fatigue associated with chemotherapy. Women who do decide to do physical activity while on chemotherapy may need to adjust their fitness plans on a day-to-day basis, depending on fatigue levels. It is very important to monitor all fitness activities while undergoing treatment and follow a progressive fitness plan that is not too strenuous. Women with breast cancer may enjoy working out in groups with other breast cancer survivors.