Look Great, Feel Great: Key 3

Key 3: Exercise

My favorite part of this chapter is when Joyce talks about how exercise makes you happy. When I read that I immediatly thought of this quote: "Exercise creates endorphins, endorphins make you happy! Happy people just don't kill their husbands!" Haha, oh dear, I am a dork, yes this quote is from Legally Blonde (love it!).

But it is true! Exercise does make you happy! When you are stressed to the max, your body goes crazy. You pace, you fidget, you don't know what to do! Thats because your body wants you to exercise! That way you will release endorphins and lower your stress level. I never thought of it this way, but God, in his infinite wisdom, made us perfectly! We have a tool to counteract stress, and that is exercise!

Joyce says that studies have shown that exercise can even help some forms of depression and those who do not react to anti-depressants.

God created us to be movers & shakers. Not drivers & sitters. We are created to move, that's why we have joints, muscles, endorphins... The world continues to create so many 'convienances' for us, that cause us to be less active. Sure we get things done faster but our stress levels and weight pay for it!

I like this chapter because Joyce doesn't just say.. exercise is good, will make you thin, ok moving on..... she actually talks about the health benefits, in detail. Apparantly regular exercise could prevent diabetes, heart diseases and other health problems.

Here is an example: when you exercise, your blood is pumped harder. When your blood is pumping more, not only are you getting a good workout, but so are you veins, aretries, blood cells, etc. Its internal, not just external. If you have a strong running 'motor system' you are less likely to develop diseases.

Another example: Your body uses glucose (sugar) for energy, when there is too much glucose your body stores it. Your blood cells actually absorb the sugar as well. What happens when you keep adding sugar to something? It gets sticky! Your blood gets sticky and will stick to things, causing blockages... which causes strokes, heart failures.. etc... So if you are consuming too much energy, and not burning enough... you're in trouble!

Oh and one more that I thought was interesting: Osteoporisis can also be avoided! If you exercise regularily, you can prevent brittle bones! As you get older you might tend to exercise less and this causes your bones to slowly break down. However if you keep them active, they will be in great shape a lot longer!

This doesn't mean you should start training to be the next olympian... but if you can fit a 30minute walk into your day, every day, you will greatly increase your life span, and quality of life! Is there somewhere you could walk to instead of taking the car? How about riding a bike? What can you do today to improve your quality of life?