Day 5: The Breathe First and Get Moving 10 Day Challenge

What's Up, Pumpkins?

Happy Friday!  Still movin' and groovin'?

I know some days it's harrrrrd to get motivated (that's why we wrote down our WHYS as one of our prep for success steps!).  So when you're sitting there debating whether to get up and move or sit on the couch with a bag of Doritos, grab your list of WHYS and read it!  And if THAT doesn't do it...take a look at this ah-mazing list of exercise benefits!  

Exercise for a Healthy Bod!

• Live Longer:  Wanna spend more time on this Earth with the humans you love?  Regular exercise helps you live longer!
• Grow Bigger Biceps (and Other Important Muscles!): Exercise helps build muscles. (Duh!) In fact, lifting weights can increase muscle mass in just a couple of months. Soon, you'll be the family's go-to pickle jar opener! Wahoo!
• Be Unbreakable (Or at least LESS breakable!): A combo of weight-bearing exercises, resistance training, and balance exercises can help strengthen bones and prevent falls.
• Boost Your Immune System: Wanna give yourself a little extra protection during this year's cold and flu season? Get moving now to keep those germs at bay!
• Dampen the "Old People Noises": Creaky joints? Moaning and groaning when you get up and down off a chair? Regular, low-impact exercise and stretching helps your joints stay nimble...no need for an oil can.
• Breathe Easier: All that huffing and puffing you're doing while you're getting your cardio in helps improve lung function. 
• Chase Away the Big C:  According to the American Cancer Society, getting more physical activity is associated with a lower risk for several types of cancer, including breast, prostate, colon, endometrium, and possibly pancreatic cancer. So put on those running shoes and get after it!
• Obliterate Obesity: Exercise increases your energy expenditure and boosts your metabolism which can help you maintain or even lose weight (provided you don't eat MORE to compensate for the extra calorie burn--exercising is NOT an excuse to eat a whole stack of Oreos on the daily)! 
• Banish High Blood Pressure: Both vigorous and gentle exercises can lower your blood pressure. It's time to chill out and get your zen on!
• Level Your Lipids: Sick of your PCP scolding you about your Cholesterol levels?  Exercise can boost good cholesterol (HDL) and lower bad cholesterol (LDL). 
• Dance Away Diabetes: Regular Exercise (both aerobic and resistance training) can reduce your risk of insulin resistance, prediabetes, GDM, type 2 diabetes, and diabetes-related health complications. So, shake it like a polaroid picture and keep those sugar levels in check!
• Healthy Heart: You know those risk factors listed above (obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes). By addressing these factors, the risk of developing heart disease is significantly and unequivocally reduced.

Okay...great reasons, right?  Now get your bodacious bod out there and reap the bennies!  Have fun, my Friends!  See you tomorrow!

On Fridays we FLEX!