Are you looking for a reason to start adding exercise to your weekly routine? Exercise or any physical activity is great for you in many ways. Living a more active lifestyle can lead to a happier and healthier life! Here are six benefits of exercise:

Weight Control:
It’s no question that exercise can help you lose weight. Even the smallest amount of exercise can have an impact on your physical appearance. This can be done by any form of exercise or physical activity.

For example:

• Weight training
• Walking/running
• daily chores/activities
• Sports

You may notice the scale numbers move or that your clothes fit differently once adding exercise in. Although, some people may not see much movement on the scale but will notice their pants fitting looser. This could be because your body is gaining lean muscle tissue.  Muscle takes up less space than fat. It is a more compact substance. So, next time you step on the scale and notice the number is the same after working out consistently, this could be why.

Boost in Energy:
Have you noticed you are feeling more tired than usual?Did you know you could get a burst of energy by doing more than just adding more caffeine to your diet? Regular exercise improves your cardiovascular health by providing oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. When your lung and heart health improve, then you have more energy to tackle daily activities.

Mood Improvement:
Are you in need of a mood boost? Exercise is the perfect way to destress after a long day. When you exercise, you stimulate the chemicals in your brain, which can leave you less anxious or stressed. Staying consistent will make you feel accomplished and more confident. Pick a good song, put in your headphones, and enjoy a good workout!

Sleep Improvement:
Struggling to get catch some ZZZ’s? Exercise allows your body to fall asleep faster and fall into a deeper sleep. Although, try not to exercise right before bed, because you may still have a ton of energy from your workout, and falling asleep could be more difficult.

Builds Community & It’s Fun:
Whether you are taking an exercise class, going for an outdoor walk, exercising at home, or playing Pickleball with friends, being active is a great way to build community. Even if you would rather work out alone, staying connected to other people and their fitness journey is a great way to stay motivated and inspired. If getting started is hard for you, then grab a friend and take a new class together. Why not try something new? You will be surprised how much fun you will have, and all the great people you will meet!

Prevents/Manages Health Conditions:
Prevent high blood pressure by staying active! When you exercise you are boosting high density Lipoprotein cholesterol (good Cholesterol), and it decreases unhealthy Triglycerides. When this happens, it causes blood to flow smoothly and decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Staying active can help manage or prevent multiple kinds of health problems, such as:

• Stroke
• Metabolic syndrome
• High blood pressure
• Type 2 diabetes
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Many types of cancer
• Arthritis
• Falls

Regular exercise or physical activity provides many benefits, that are TOO good to pass up. We’ve given you six benefits of exercise, but there are many more! If you’re not sure where to start, come see us at the Family Life Center here at First Baptist Church of Arlington. We have exercise classes, a walking track, weights, racquetball courts, workout machines, Pickleball, Open Play Basketball, etc. Come take a tour of our facility, and don’t hesitate to email or call us is you have any questions!

We have a place for you!