Red Hot Mamas In Charge of Change.
By: Red Hot Mamas
Published: January 12, 2015
“I don’t exercise. If God had wanted me to bend over, he would have put diamonds on the floor” ~ Joan Rivers
Dear Red Hot Mamas®,
Well it’s a brand new year and many of us have once again made those resolutions which oftentimes include getting fit through exercise. We have all heard the cliché “no pain, no gain”, and, I’ve frequently pondered whether you truly have to experience pain to achieve the benefits from exercise.
I’m in my menopausal years, so I’m not competing in any sports and I certainly am not the one to have experienced a “runner’s high” even though I know jogging is healthy. For me, endorphins don’t hold a candle to eating a big bowl of spaghetti!
After speaking to some menopausal women, it seems that I am not alone when it comes to not being addicted to running. Many women, in fact, prefer to walk. Walking is great exercise, and it seems that walkers have the lowest dropout rate of all the exercises to choose from.
Here are some of the benefits of walking and moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day:
- Reduce the risk of coronary heart disease
- Improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels
- Improve blood lipid profile
- Maintain body weight and lower the risk of obesity
- Enhance mental well being
- Reduce the risk of osteoporosis
- Reduce the risk of breast and colon cancer
- Reduce the risk of non-insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes
There really are so many benefits for such a simple activity!
However, before beginning an exercise program, you should talk to your clinician, especially if you have been sedentary for a while.
As far as the “no pain, no gain” is concerned, forget about it. Pain means something is wrong and you should listen to your body. Yes, you might get some achiness, and the best way to handle this is to try not to overdue your exercise regime, and rest a day or two in between.
Then go back to it at a less intense level. But, if you find something really hurts, you might actually be doing damage and you need to discuss this with your doctor.
Just remember to do things in moderation. Start out slowly. Learn the proper technique of the exercise you are doing as well as the proper usage of any exercise equipment you are using.
Exercise is important in both health and quality of life.
So, instead of thinking about jumping into your hammock, or Lazy Boy recliner, fire up that treadmill or pull out one of those old Jane
Fonda videos and let those endorphins have a chance to kick in.
In closing, take precautions and be conscious of your body’s response to exercising.
Good health to you all,
