Is exercise pointless?
Replies
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Since I started exercising, my headaches have gone away and I have more energy. No headaches make me a much happier and nicer person to be around.....at least that why my husband says. :laugh:0
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Wow? Pointless? Hellz no! Listen to what the others have posted, its very good advice!!!0
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I think i just need to qoute "Elle" from leagally blonde. Excersice gives you endorphines, endorphines make you happy! Happy people just don't kill people. They just don't.0
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POINTLESS? are you kidding me? it shouldn't be just about weightloss...OUR entire existence is built on moving our bodies...we were not created to sit...
there's many benefits to exercise other than cancelling out calories...0 -
Here's what the Mayo Clinic has to say about exercise. Troll or no Troll there are other people on this website wondering why they should exercise if they can just cut calories to lose weight.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise/HQ01676
Exercise: 7 benefits of regular physical activity
You know exercise is good for you — but do you know how good? From boosting your mood to improving your sex life, find out how exercise can improve your life.
By Mayo Clinic staff
Want to feel better, have more energy and perhaps even live longer? Look no further than old-fashioned exercise.
The merits of regular physical activity — from preventing chronic health conditions to promoting weight loss and better sleep — are hard to ignore. And the benefits are yours for the taking, regardless of age, sex or physical ability. Need more convincing? Check out seven specific ways exercise can improve your life.
1. Exercise improves your mood.
Need to blow off some steam after a stressful day? A workout at the gym or a brisk 30-minute walk can help you calm down.
Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed than you were before you worked out. You'll also look better and feel better when you exercise regularly, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem. Regular physical activity can even help prevent depression.
2. Exercise combats chronic diseases.
Worried about heart disease? Hoping to prevent osteoporosis? Physical activity might be the ticket.
Regular physical activity can help you prevent — or manage — high blood pressure. Your cholesterol will benefit, too. Regular physical activity boosts high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good," cholesterol while decreasing triglycerides. This one-two punch keeps your blood flowing smoothly by lowering the buildup of plaques in your arteries.
And there's more. Regular physical activity can help you prevent type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and certain types of cancer.
3. Exercise helps you manage your weight.
Want to drop those excess pounds? Trade some couch time for walking or other physical activities.
This one's a no-brainer. When you engage in physical activity, you burn calories. The more intense the activity, the more calories you burn — and the easier it is to keep your weight under control. You don't even need to set aside major chunks of time for working out. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Walk during your lunch break. Do jumping jacks during commercials. Better yet, turn off the TV and take a brisk walk. Dedicated workouts are great, but physical activity you accumulate throughout the day helps you burn calories, too.
4. Exercise boosts your energy level.
Winded by grocery shopping or household chores? Don't throw in the towel. Regular physical activity can leave you breathing easier.
Physical activity delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. In fact, regular physical activity helps your entire cardiovascular system — the circulation of blood through your heart and blood vessels — work more efficiently. Big deal? You bet! When your heart and lungs work more efficiently, you'll have more energy to do the things you enjoy.
5. Exercise promotes better sleep.
Struggling to fall asleep? Or stay asleep? It might help to boost your physical activity during the day.
A good night's sleep can improve your concentration, productivity and mood. And you guessed it — physical activity is sometimes the key to better sleep. Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and deepen your sleep. There's a caveat, however. If you exercise too close to bedtime, you may be too energized to fall asleep. If you're having trouble sleeping, you might want to exercise earlier in the day.
6. Exercise can put the spark back into your sex life.
Are you too tired to have sex? Or feeling too out of shape to enjoy physical intimacy? Physical activity to the rescue.
Regular physical activity can leave you feeling energized and looking better, which may have a positive effect on your sex life. But there's more to it than that. Regular physical activity can lead to enhanced arousal for women, and men who exercise regularly are less likely to have problems with erectile dysfunction than are men who don't exercise — especially as they get older.
7. Exercise can be — gasp — fun!
Wondering what to do on a Saturday afternoon? Looking for an activity that suits the entire family? Get physical!
Physical activity doesn't have to be drudgery. Take a ballroom dancing class. Check out a local climbing wall or hiking trail. Push your kids on the swings or climb with them on the jungle gym. Plan a neighborhood kickball or touch football game. Find a physical activity you enjoy, and go for it. If you get bored, try something new. If you're moving, it counts!
Are you convinced? Good. Start reaping the benefits of regular physical activity today!0 -
I smell Troll!
{sniff...sniff} Hmmmm...lol!0 -
You could look at exercise like the glass being half empty or half full too.
Eating lots is something you DON'T DO on a diet (negative)
vs
Exercising is something you can DO on or off a diet (positive)
Combine them so neither sticking to a diet or exercising is quite so hard.0 -
I am 61 and now a true believer in exercise !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My joints no longer hurt as much as they did and I know that weight loss has a lot to do with that,but the range of movement increases. It overall makes you feel so-o-o-o much better. I feel great.0
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Thanks so much for sharing the 100 reasons to exercise :flowerforyou:
I honestly cannot eat enough of my calories right now after burn but I refuse to let up on exercise because I love how it is toning me even at my large size, firming my butt, slimming my face and most importantly giving me energy to run around with my 2 toddler girls. Oh and did I mention that after having asthma for the last 8 years without it getting any better I am now down to using my inhaler once a day just as precaution since I am almost down 50 lbs. That is reason enough for me! :bigsmile:0 -
Maybe hangin' out under a bridge somewhere, looking for goars, I'da know.
I do know this - a year ago I could barely get off the couch. It was all I could do just to stagger through a day at my lame *kitten* desk job. Now I feel like bionic superman on crank. Oh yeah,,, sit on the couch if you wanna'... I like to move it move it. :laugh:0 -
Maybe hangin' out under a bridge somewhere, looking for goars, I'da know.
I do know this - a year ago I could barely get off the couch. It was all I could do just to stagger through a day at my lame *kitten* desk job. Now I feel like bionic superman on crank. Oh yeah,,, sit on the couch if you wanna'... I like to move it move it. :laugh:
Preach it! "bionic superman on crank" is now my new favorite descriptor. I shall be "bionic wonder woman on crank".:laugh:0 -
I agree with Vinjama.
Do not feed the troll!
I workout for all the reasons already listed and well, I hear ppl say they workout for food, I used to laugh now it makes me sorta half roll my eyes. Excercise for food, really? I never think of eating more food when I am working out, I may earn more cals back but it's not something I actually run out and do to eat an extra sandwich or hot fudge sundae. Maybe I'm missing something? Oh wait, I'm not.:flowerforyou:
For me excercise is done because I love how my body feels while doing it, after doing it and the whole day long I get benefits. It's good stuff, healthy stuff!
Really try it,
You'll love it
Becca:flowerforyou:0 -
100 Benefits of Exercise
A major and often overlooked benefit of exercise is that it helps you to sleep better.
But the benefits of exercise don't stop there. Below are 100 other benefits of exercise (not necessarily in order of importance).
1. Reduces blood pressure
2. Reduces cholesteral levels
3. Increases the concentration of high-density lipoprotein (HDL or “good” cholesterol in the blood)
4. Reduces chances for coronary heart disease
5. Increases efficiency of heart and lowers resting heart rate
6. Makes heart muscles stronger
7. Improves contractile function of the heart
8. Strengthens lungs
9. Improves respiratory function
10. Improves cardiovascular endurance and performance
11. Provides more oxygen to body, including organs and muscles
12. Provides more nutrient supply to the body
13. Reduces chances for stroke
14. Helps to alleviate varicose veins
15. Increases metabolic rate
16. Stimulates digestion
17. Makes digestion more efficient
18. Stimulates intestinal movements, resulting in better elimination of wastes
19. Reduces changes for colon cancer
20. Strengthens and develops muscles
21. Increases efficiency of muscles
22. Benefits joints due to stronger muscles
23. Helps maintain cartilage health in the joints
24. Eases muscular tension
25. Alleviates back problems
26. Increases muscle flexible and agility
27. Improves speed of muscle contraction and reaction time
28. More healthy skin due to the fact that skin pores open more during exercise, resulting in more efficient removal of dirt and impurities
29. Burns up and removes toxins from body
30. Increases blood flow to the brain
31. Stimulates growth of nerve cells in memory center of the brain
32. Improves various indexes of psychological functioning
33. Enhances brain functioning by increasing the amount of oxygen available to it
34. Increases sense of well being
35. Increases resistance to pain because endorphin levels are elevated
36. Increases sense of excitement because hormone epinephrine is elevated
37. Alleviates boredom
38. Lessens worry and tension
39. Reduces stress by removing lactic acid from blood
40. Alleviates anxiety and/or pain because tranquilizing effect of exercise lasts for several hours
41. Enhances mood
42. Reduces anxiety more effectively and safely than anxiety-reducing medication
43. Boosts energy
44. Improves self-esteem and self-confidence since body and mind are improved and strengthened
45. Increases sense of self control
46. Provides source of pleasure and fun
47. Releases anger and negative emotions
48. Reduces depression more effective than short or long-term psychotherapy
49. Enhances coordination, power, timing and balance
50. Boosts immune system functioning
51. Reduces severity of asthma
52. Improves functioning of organs
53. Can relieve tension headaches
54. Can reduce the urge to smoke because the adrenaline rush and stress relief from a brief workout can replace similar feelings smokers get from tobacco
55. Burns calories
56. Causes body to use calories more efficiently
57. Causes weight loss
58. Allows one to keep lost weight from returning
59. Can act as an appetite suppressant
60. Decreases fat tissue
61. Improves physical appearance
62. Enhances one's image and opinion of the body
63. Improves bone density and prevents osteoporosis
64. Reduces joint discomfort
65. Help manage arthritis
66. Allows one to feel better about their bodies and enjoy sex more as a result
67. Provides enhanced ability to achieve orgasm
68. Allows for greater sexual satisfaction
69. Can reduce or eliminate impotence due to increased blood flow
70. Prevents or manages type 2 diabetes
71. Helps insulin work better, lowering blood sugar
72. Has a significant salutary effect on fibrinogen levels
73. Alleviates menstrual cramps
74. Improves athletic performance
75. Can add years to one's life
76. Enhances quality of life
77. Reduces pain and disability
78. Improves glycogen storage
79. Reduces risk of developing certain types of cancers of the colon, prostate, uterine lining and breast and other chronic diseases
80. Regulates hormones
81. Allows you to overcome illness or injury more quickly
82. Can lessen medical bills
83. Reduces anxiety by causing fewer worries about health
84. Can allow for better performance at work
85. Allows one to stay independent as they get older
86. Can keep health care insurance premiums lower
87. Makes one more attractive to potential mates
88. Allows for healthy pregnancy
89. Increases energy and ability to do things one likes
90. Allows you to be more productive and less stymied by stress and depression
91. Can help make possible increased income due to increased energy
92. Allows one to become more familiar with their body and its functioning
93. Can stimulate mentally
94. Lets one eat more without gaining weight
95. Provides a healthy break from work
96. Adds variety and spice to life
97. Gives one increased ability to defend oneself and loved ones if needed
98. Provides a natural high afterwards, such as runners' high
99. Provides heightened alertness
100. Reduces inflammation
http://www.sleeplikethedead.com/exer-100benefits.html
Thanks for this wonderful list:bigsmile:0 -
The more I exercise the more I can eat! Funny though, when I am working out alot I lose the desire for bad/junk food. Also, I don't want to be unable to run around,ride horses,hike and bike when I'm 60 ( which is getting closer everyday). I am just back on MFP after a years absence since 10 lbs have crept on in the last 6 months and they WILL be gone by the end of June. I love food too much so the only waythat works for me is exercise and more exercise.0
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Right - I'm gonna sit on the fence here (cop out I know)
Yes it SEEMS pointless spending 1 hr doing cardio to "only" burn 500 calories which would equate to:
2 doughnuts
a prepackaged BLT sandwich
1 can of coke, choccy bar and packet of crisps (chips for you guys over the pond) - this was my fave mid afternoon snack !
I could go on with a shed load of foods that add up to 500 calories - such a small amount of food in comparison to such a huge amount of cardio.
BUT
Since I've started doing regular cardio exercise I've not needed to visit my chiropractor - I slipped my L3/4 disc years ago and would guess I have spent approx £2000 ($3000) getting treatment.
I joined my gym 18 months ago and have only spent £500 ($730) and I have never had any problems with my back since - i had one check up and my chiropractor was amazed at how quick my disc had repaired itself.
All that with a little bit of hard work and determination.
Cardio is crap (in my opinion) unless you can find something you love doing and don't see it as mundane repetative cardio exersise.
I started Kick Boxing which I did twice a week and loved it - you get to socialise a lot more than the gym as you have to interact with people.
If you have to do the running machine or cross trainer - get an iPod - or join a gym with a TV on the wall... You'll be surprised how quickly 30 mins can pass when you are watching that episode of Friends or Scrubs or listening to a Podcast or Audio Book etc... Or sticking some music on will help keep the timing for you running etc.
Stick with it - don't feel like it's a chore - think of it as part of your every day life like going to school or work and going to bed... If you see it as an inconvenience you will never want to do it !
Chin up
Chris...0 -
I lost weight on the low carb diet and I discovered that when I exercised I lost weight slower. As soon as I stopped the exercise (3 times a week), I started back loosing again. Exercise is a healthy thing, of course, but I don't think you have to obcess over doing it. I never eat those extra calories it allows you anyway.0
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AHHHH I think I gave off the wrong impression. Don't get me wrong! I run three miles every day. BUT, I was just wondering if you do eat up those extra calories gained doesn't it just cancel out what you burned?0
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AHHHH I think I gave off the wrong impression. Don't get me wrong! I run three miles every day. BUT, I was just wondering if you do eat up those extra calories gained doesn't it just cancel out what you burned?
Nope 'cause MFP already calculates a deficit for you. So even if you eat everything you burn, the deficit that MFP created is still there.
Also, exercise is good because it helps get rid of flab!
Lol. When I lose weight through diet alone, I'm skinny but still flabby. When I work out, I'm skinny and hard-bodied and much nicer to look at.0 -
Thanks for your answers errrbody0
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Or you could just not make up the extra calories that you burn from exercising and you will just lose the weight even quicker. If you exercise enough to lose 500 calories a day for 7 days that is 3500 calories extra you burned that week which equals one pound of fat that you just burned off your body in a week. if you are set to lose 1 pound a week through diet, then you just doubled your weight loss for that week., and I think losing weight is the biggest point of being on this site, so no, exercise is not pointless.0
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