For some who stay on course, their motivations have evolved to more long-term goals than beginners. Continually improving baseline performance and just increasing personal ability have become primary drives. Push more weight. Increase speed. Improve endurance. These can become primary factors and are benefits as themselves. Yet, we should not overlook the possibilities that may lie further out. Let’s not forget, your physical activity may be slowing the aging process and extending longevity.
It has become widely known that those who get at least a minimum amount of exercise tend to outlive those that don’t. In Western cultures, and increasingly in others, the leading causes of death are lifestyle related. Diet and exercise are the major factors in cardiovascular disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, many cancers, and possibly even Alzheimer’s disease. Burning more calories and increasing lean body mass can greatly affect body composition and function, greatly reducing the risk of these maladies.
Improving your cardio health of course strengthens your heart and lungs, helping to give you better stamina and endurance. A stronger heart pumps blood more efficiently, improving the delivery of blood and nutrients throughout the body. Aerobic activity can also cause a boost to the immune system, which can gradually decline as we age. There is research that suggests that aerobic activity also has a beneficial effect on brain function and can help fight depression by the release of endorphins. Most commonly known, aerobic exercise burns calories and helps increase good cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
In addition, strength training can be very beneficial as we age for improving quality of life. It helps with remaining independent and functional, slowing or even stopping the muscle degeneration process. It reduces the risk of many age-related injuries, as bone density and strength is improved. Mobility and performance are maintained with the strength to move about freely and continue to bear heavier loads. The gained strength could even directly save your life or the lives of others in emergency situations.
So as the new year begins, many people will begin an exercise program focusing on short term goals and benefits. Many of those same people will quit after a short period of time, because they experience discomfort in the beginning without seeing immediate improvements. It may be more fruitful for them to visualize their program from the beginning as a lifelong endeavor to keep the body healthy and functional, rather than immediate results. Just keeping their program regular and consistent may yield better long-term benefits over becoming super fit in the short term.