Six More Reasons to Sweat

Have you been hitting the gym and not seeing the number on the scale change much? Don’t lose heart. Remember that shedding pounds isn’t the only reason to get active. Exercise can boost your health in a number of ways. Here are six reasons to keep on sweating.

1. Maintain a Healthy Heart
Getting and staying fit may help reduce the risk of heart disease even if you’re overweight. It helps even if you gain a few pounds. Working out actually protects you from some of the unhealthy effects of being overweight.

2. Beat Depression
Research has shown that exercise can help relieve sadness in men, women and people with chronic illnesses. Experts think movement may boost feel-good brain chemicals, including serotonin and norepinephrine.

3. Cut Your Cancer Risk
Moving reduces your risk for tumors in your breasts, colon, lungs, and prostate. Research is under way on other cancers, too. The American Cancer Society recommends adults get 150 minutes of moderate activity, 75 minutes of vigorous activity, or a combination of the two spread throughout the week.

4. Stay Independent as You Age
No matter your age, it’s never too late to start or continue exercising. Being active every day helps older adults continue to do the things they like to do. You’ll gain the strength, energy and balance you need to get through your day.

5. Manage Illnesses & Treatments
In people with Type 2 diabetes, regular physical activity helps control blood glucose and prevent complications. If you have cancer, it reduces some side effects of treatment.

6. Live Longer
Older adults who got more physical activity were less likely to die over a four-year period, according to a recent study in Archives of Internal Medicine. The results add to accumulating evidence that regular exercise can lead to a longer life.