Happy Valentine’s Day my lovelies!💗💗 I write this post to you with love and appreciation, and I hope your day is filled with positive motivation, love (self-love is OK), and of course, chocolate.🍫
OK, so I am an admitted slugbunny. I love my food, my coffee and my couch. Even so, (28 day reset aside) it is uber important to exercise. It’s not just about losing weight and looking fit in those skinny jeans, it is one of the BEST things you can do for your health and well-being. I’m talking mind and body peeps. And to prove I’m not just spewing words, I walked 5 miles yesterday, and boy is my maltipoo wiped – she slept in an extra 3 hours this morning!)
So let’s make this quick and painless. Five reasons WHY we all need to move it. Grab your gym bag or your trainers and let’s shake it peeps!
WHY WE NEED TO MOVE:
- Sleep. Way, way back in 2010, there was a small study (probably out in Cali) that took a look at older peeps (anyone over 35) who had some sleep issues. If you had trouble snoozing, you were eligible. Anyway, for 16 weeks, these poor slug-like and tired folk followed a program of regular exercise and some classes on good sleep habits. Bottom line, on average these red-eyed peeps gained an extra 75 minutes of deep sleep (the good kind) per night. There was also a study that tracked insomniacs – the sedentary kind, (you know, like me most days) and found that after 6 months of adding in a little exercise, they dozed off faster. I’m going to have to try this.
- Second Wind. Ok couch potatoes – that second study…not only can we doze off faster, but if we get up and move it, we will have more energy! YIPPEE! So the study showed that peeps who get about 2 ½ hours of moderate level exercise per week, are 65% less likely to feel that need for a nap midday.
- Prevent Dementia. One more study folks…if you work out just 4 hours after you learn something new, your brain holds onto that info like it was covered with superglue. Research scientist believe that exercise increases catecholamine’s (yup, a tongue twister)- chemicals in the brain that improve memory consolidation. So sweating to the oldies can increase memory retention. All hail Richard Simmons.
- Longevity. Not just genetic now, the American Heart Association recommends 2-3 hours of moderate exercise per week for a 10% lower risk of heart failure. Olivia Newton John had it right telling everyone to “Get Physical,” because it lowers blood pressure, raises good cholesterol, makes your arteries more stretchy (good for blood flow) and helps you increase effective use of oxygen.
“The optimist sees the glass half full, the pessimist sees the glass half empty, and the awesomist sees a dragon in the water.” - Mindful Living: Glass half full. Oh yes my peeps, this is what the bonus is… 15 minutes of exercise boosts your positivity. Remember those happy hormones? Consistent exercise is just as powerful on those feel-good mind blowing chemicals Serotonin and Norepinephrine as the best antidepressant on the market. (Hmm…I wonder if they’ve taken chocolate into the equation?)
And there you have it folks. So I’m going to sign off, and before I hit the couch, I think I’ll take a little walk… Slugbunnies of the world unite, get moving and live long! (and prosper of course – we are all geeks here after all, lol)
Stay motivated and caffeinated!😉☕
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slMub4NtrSk[/embedyt]