How Exercise Makes Everything Better

Exercise is fundamental for longevity, well-being and functional ability, said Dr. Uday Deoskar, an internist and geriatric specialist (1).

"There is not a single organ in the body that does not benefit from exercise," said Deoskar, who owns the Successful Aging Center and the Fitness Learning Center in Bloomington, Ill. with his wife, Anita.

"Exercise can delay or prevent stroke, memory loss, depression, coronary artery disease, type 2 diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis and vascular disease and can help with balance," Deoskar said. “It supports what the body needs and takes away what the body doesn’t need.”

Muscle strength, bone density and flexibility are boosted with exercise, reducing the risk of falls and fractures, said Anita Deoskar, a nutritionist and exercise physiologist.

"Look at your medical history and condition and check with your doctor. If it's safe to exercise, start low and slow and gradually increase," Uday Deoskar advised.

He suggested that individuals get help from an exercise professional to exercise safely and efficiently. "Exercise is rarely harmful if it's done correctly."

Exercise also is an inexpensive way of treating disease and helping to keep personal health care costs down, he said.

Visit different exercise facilities to determine whether they have equipment, classes, instructors and trainers who would be a good fit for you, Anita Deoskar said.

Group exercise classes are great motivators to keep people compliant with their exercise.

Interaction in the classes helps to preserve memory, increase socialization, decrease the risk of isolation and depression and keep the mood light, the Deoskars said.

"When there is quality of life, there is fun," Anita Deoskar said.

"When you exercise, you experience stress reduction, your mind gets calm and quiet, and you relax," she said. "Isn't that what all of us want?"

Well, Does Exercise Make Sex Better?

We'll leave it to Zen Gray, host of the Skinny, to tackle this very important question

Zestfulness says: If you can't find time to get to the gym or are too afraid of snatch thieves and stray dogs to take the morning walk, get an elliptical trainer (also known as a cross-trainer).

The benefits of using an elliptical trainer are very impressive. The fact that you can get all of these with a machine that takes up relatively little space compared to other fitness machines, and at a cost that won't break the bank, makes it an excellent choice of equipment.

The elliptical trainer can deliver a cardio-vascular workout comparable to a treadmill without putting strain on your joints. This is good news if you're currently overweight or recovering from an injury or illness.

It also gives a better whole body workout compared to an exercise bike because you use both your arms and your legs - a rowing machine can do this but does tend to take up more space. A recent study found overweight people were able to train longer on an elliptical trainer than a treadmill and minute for minute used more calories and consequently lost more weight.

1. Published September 10, 2007, in The Pantagraph - Bloomington, Illinois
2. Picture Credit