© Specialist Supplements Ltd 2011  0845 094 3627 Weight Management Weight Management This is an information site only! Your health is your responsibility The importance of exercise Regular physical exertion is important for everyone, not just those who are overweight. Our bodies were built to be in motion, not to be sedentary right through the day. They crave exercise and actually need it so that they can continue to function correctly. As obesity numbers in both adults and children continue to rise, a lifestyle that features regular physical activity is necessary for individuals of all ages. The key message is - avoid inactivity; even some exercise is preferable to none at all. To put it differently, working out is one of the most important elements to good health and it helps to stave off many conditions and illnesses. So how exactly does exercise help to support general health and well-being? Although exercise undoubtedly helps to enhance the appearance of the physique (for instance through slimming and firming), it also has other benefits that are more than aesthetic. Resistance training is frequently regarded as being only for “muscle-bound gym junkies”, but working out really has a number of internal benefits, which can contribute to the longevity and quality of life. In particular, it is critical for the protection against, management and treatment of a great deal of chronic ailments, such as osteoporosis, coronary disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes, obesity and high blood pressure. In point of fact, in both the USA and Europe, there are a number of programmes that call for physical activity and training to be standard elements of both disease prevention and medical treatment. Exercise is also important for muscle tissue and bone strength and has a crucial part to play in preserving a strong immune system by, for instance, stimulating the lymphatic system. It is widely considered that the lymphatic system is the body's first line of defense against disease. Exercising additionally elevates blood circulation, helping to carry new energy to every single cell. How could exercising support weight loss? A very common mistake that quite a few dieters make when they want to shed weight is that they only consider their eating and forget the crucial role of exercising. Our weight is directly linked to the balance between the the level of calories eaten each day and the number of calories burned. The main way in which physical activity can assist with weight loss is through the burning of more calories. Both cardio exercise and strength training can accomplish this. A healthy diet on its own isn't enough to ensure you reach your ideal weight in a healthy manner. In fact, a 2006 research project (Weiss et al) completed by Saint Louis University considered the effects of physical exercise versus diet only in losing fat. Whilst both sets of participants lost weight, only those who exercised kept their strength and muscle mass and increased aerobic capacity. Those people who dieted only, lost muscle mass, power and aerobic capacity. Analysis continually shows that regular exercise, combined with a well-balanced diet, is considered the most efficient and healthy way to manage your weight. In particular, physical fitness can impact on our metabolism; when we exercise and eat sensibly, our metabolism tends to accelerate and burn off excess calories and fat that it wouldn't otherwise do during periods of inactivity. Some support For those who are new to training, you will want to take things gradually and, if required, speak to your doctor or other qualified health practitioner before putting into effect extreme changes to your diet or beginning a new exercise regime. For a lot of people, a suitable weight loss and exercise plan  can provide support and guidance during the early phases and a dietician, nutritionist and personal trainer can all assist with this. Similarly, there are various health supplements that can help to support both weight management and athletic performance. For example, those trying to lose weight often find that protein powders and meal replacement powders are advantageous, because not only can they deliver a low-calorie supply of vitamins and minerals, but the high protein content is vital for maintaining and growing muscle tissue and bone mass, for tissue and cell repair, for keeping the immune system strong and for curtailing fatigue. Quite a few clinical trials have indicated that a high-protein diet, in conjunction with training, can support the weight management process, boost fat loss, improve muscle tone and improve blood fat levels. As protein can assist in the repair and growth of muscle, this in turn is also likely to mean that additional calories are utilised each day. Higher-protein diets could also potentially help slimmers to get better control over their appetites and calorie intake, help them to control their glucose levels and reduce cravings. Whenever your heart beats faster and you breathe faster, it helps to lower your blood sugar level (which is why exercise is even more necessary if you suffer from diabetes). Likewise, ensuring adequate vitamin and mineral intake is an important part of any weight management programme, to make sure that you are slimming down in a healthy manner. For example, antioxidants (such as vitamin C) are needed in preventing damage by free radicals, which can be released during detoxification processes. * Before changing your diet, taking health supplements or undertaking a new exercise regime, always be sure to consult your doctor or qualified health practitioner (particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or on medications). [Home] [Health Information] [Weight Management] [Diabetes] [Healthy Diet] [Exercise] [Sitemap] [HTM Sitemap] [Slimming] [Diet] [Weightloss] [Body Fat] [Carbohydrates] [Herbs] [Metabolism] [Diet-Pills] [Cellulite] [Detox] [Ephedrine] [Slimming Pills] [Thyroid] [Ephedrine Fat Burner] [Herbal Slimming Pills] [Diet Pages] [Weight Loss Links] [Specialist Food Supplements] [Slimming Information] [Weight Loss Slimming Pills] [Metabolism]