5 Reasons Why Exercising is as Important as Eating Well

Although it is pretty common knowledge that exercise and nutrition intake are equally important in contributing to great health, I am still amused by the number of people and advertisers who are trying to sell their ‘magical’ food products by claiming ‘magical outcomes’.

I am more amused that people buy into these advertisements! And I constantly have sedentary friends who will ask if this popular tea works, if that special berry can really be effective in metabolizing fats, whether they should buy into the next detox-juicing program.

When people hear about the word exercise and working out, they get terrified. They get the images of having to spend grueling hours and sessions in the gym. Having to sacrifice precious time to sweat, pant and be engaged in an activity they don’t quite fancy. Having to feel vulnerable when faced with these macho fit gym dudes…. And the list goes on.

You don't need a Gym

But guess what, you don’t really have to go to the gym to get some activity going. In fact, everyone is so busy and caught up these days that it seems hard to allocate time to working out because we cannot imagine “scheduling time for the gym”. I do like working out in the gym when my schedule permits and I am near one in the vicinity. But when my schedule does not allow, I don’t like spending hours there too. When life gets busy, it becomes all too easy to blow off exercise if exercise is equated to “gym session”.

So what else can you do, besides heading to the gym, to get yourself moving?

Climb, Run, Swim, Long walks, Take the stairs, stand at your desk … etc?

I would say find something that works for your schedule and keeps you happy, and you have a movement plan going on!

In my book, 18 Again, I dedicated a chapter on “Throwing Out Your Gym Membership” as one of the strategies to help mummies get moving more.  You can definitely read up more details in the book.

What I wanted to specifically get into today, is to explain why exercise – MOVING, is as important as putting the right food in your mouth.

1. Better insulin sensitivity

So that your body doesn’t need to produce more than it actually needs.

So that you don’t end up in a situation when you get insulin insensitivity, and go down the path of Type II Diabetes – the common modern  day disease.

I quote Dr Hyman, M.D, “Less insulin means less belly fat”. Simple

2. Reduce stress

Nobody ever says that they feel bad after an exercise. Yes you may feel tired while at it because you are coping with the load and work. But after you cool down and clean up, you will definitely feel good. And this feeling may last to the next day!

It is because exercise reduces the stress hormone – cortisone. Cortisone is directly linked to belly fat. And it is food news that this feeling good activity helps you eliminate belly fat (our biggest worry). Besides, increased in activity increases the happy hormones – endorphine!

Now do you need any more convincing why exercise is essential for your lifestyle?

3. Reduce risk for chronic disease

We are so obsessed with the images thrown out by the fitness industry and the increased number of instagram photos showing bikini bods and flawless complexion, that most of us forgot this simple fact!

That exercise and activity is essential in helping us keep a healthy heart!

Isn’t this a fundamental need?

4. Make you the Fat Burning Furnace

The more you move, the more fat cells get channeled into these cells called mitochondria. Mitochondria activity is what fuels up your body and gives you energy. And it can metabolise fats! The more your move, the bigger these cells get, the more these cells replicate!

Now that’s how you turn your body into a fat burning furnace!

5. Improved Sex life

It goes without saying, the more movement and activity you get into with exercise, the more circulation and increased energy you will get.

Let’s not also forget about the increased in body confidence when you get more energy and vibrance.

Look forward to better sex life when you get more mojo going!

In essence, non of the above can be achieved by just drinking a special mint tea, swallow tons of special berries, or get on a detox-juicing progam.

Try getting yourself onto a more whole foods plant-based diet, make sure you move for at least 30min everyday and sweat as a result (not movement from sitting and rocking on some massage chair)! And you will definitely be on a start towards a better, more vibrant you!