Is Fitness Really That Important?

The answer to this question is yes. Fitness is a very important aspect of life, and it includes an endless number of benefits. Being fit contributes to your overall health, and by participating regularly in an exercise program can significantly lower your risk for heart disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), some cancers, osteoporosis, Type 2 Diabetes, and more. Other benefits of exercise include an increase in energy levels, a boost in self-esteem, reduced feelings of depression and anxiety,
increased concentration levels, stress relief, loss of weight, and also a new way to make new friends. The current statistics in the United States relating to obesity and other health related issues is far from anything to brag about. Every state in the United States has at least 15% of its population obese with 34 states having at least 25% of its population obese and 9 states have at least 30% of its population obese. The following link from the CDC (Center for Disease Control) has an animation showing the increasing trends of obesity from 1985-2009 http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html. A person is considered obese when he or she has a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 30 or higher. The following link from the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute is a great way to determine your own BMI http://www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/.

Exercise is also a great way to boost your mood, provide energy, and improve your self-esteem. The way exercise improves these areas is by the release of endorphins. Endorphins are, in short, neurotransmitters produced naturally in the brain during exercise, excitement, pain, fear, and love that reduce pain and reduce stress. The effects of endorphins are similar to those of opiates in a way that reduces pain and provides a sense of well-being. During exercise, endorphins are produced and released during long, continuous workouts, when the level of intensity is between moderate and high, and breathing is difficult. Two common types of exercises that are good for the release of endorphins are cardiovascular exercises and aerobics. In order to get obtain the affects of endorphins, it is recommended for at least 15 minutes, however, it is recommended to exercise for at least 30 minutes to obtain all of the benefits of exercising.