Exercise for You

Everyone is different, has different likes and dislikes and the same applies to what types of exercise we chose to participate in. There are several reasons why we participate in exercise. These can be influenced depending on what we desire to achieve through participation, and our underlying goals and motivations.

Some people exercise for:

• Enjoyment
There are those of us out there who get enjoyment out of exercising. This can be in the form of going for a walk with your dog, around a park, or playing a social game of basketball. It is a way to relax and unwind after your day.

 

• Weight management
It has been reported by a number of sources that keeping one’s weight down has added health benefits. Exercising is a time tested way to achieve this. Again your reasons can be as simple as wanting to look your best and looking after your health.

• Health improvements

As mentioned above, exercise has been shown to provide a wide range of health benefits. Exercise can help with prevention of and reducing the risk of developing chronic conditions and better management of current health conditions. For example, for those who have diabetes when you are more active your body becomes more efficient at processing and removing glucose from the blood which can in turn lower your HbA1C levels.

• Falls prevention

Staying regular with exercise or even participating in falls prevention programs has been shown to decrease the chance of having a fall. Falls can result in the loss of mobility, reduce quality of life, increased disability and death. The statistics presented by the Falls Prevention Society show 30% of adults aged over 65 have at least one fall each year. Improvement to balance and falls reduction can be achieved through the participation in exercise. Falls prevention programs should include resistance training, lower limb strength, and balance specific exercises.

• Socialisation

At most ages there can be enjoyment found in exercising in a group. This can be especially true for those who are youth challenged. It could be with a group of friends, those with the same or similar conditions or those of the same age. Depending on an individual’s preference, there are a variety of ways that you can exercise in a group. Exercising in a group can promote adherence to a program as it provides a more social and fun environment to exercise in, a consistent exercise schedule, accountability, variety and health related benefits. Exercising in a group is an ideal place to start when getting back into activity, and a social activity that can be enjoyed by all.

• Mental health

Having a set and regular exercise routine can manage a variety of mental symptom’s such as reduce stress, ward off anxiety and feelings of depression, boost self-esteem, and improve sleep quality.

Regardless of your reasons that you exercise, any type of exercise is your own individual choice and should be celebrated.