The Role of Exercise on Vitality and Agility

When I was young, thinking about physical and mental health wasn't even on my radar. Exercise was more of an activity to plan with friends, an excuse to slip into shorts, rock the tank tops and go to the gym, or, an occasions to be at the country club. Looking “skinny” was the goal rather than a deliberate choice for well-being. Fast forward a few decades, my perspectives changed, health became a priority. I find that in our twenties and thirties, we feel invincible. In our forties, we start contemplating our choices, and by the time we reach our fifties, health occupies a significant role in our lives. 

In this blog, I will share the evolving insights of my take on exercising, as I explore a topic I am passionate about: Longevity. 

Exercise is a powerful factor behind our vitality and healthspan. Of course, it does not go “solo” as it works in synthony with nutrition, sleep, and emotional health. Exercise does a lot: it enhances our mind, body, and emotions while also helping to prevent injuries. I will leave aside the specifics about how much and how often you should exercise. Instead, I want to offer basic information on the essential benefits that come with exercising and how you can integrate them into your weekly routine. Before I start, let me emphasize that the benefit of exercise stems from the simple act of moving. Our bodies are naturally wired to move, and through motion, we ignite our entire internal system - from the cardiovascular and muscular aspects to the respiratory and nervous system, and more.

Here are three pillars, distinct and yet synergistic, that encompass the full benefits of exercising and its impact on our energy, vitality and agility.

Cardio workouts benefit our heart muscles, amplify blood circulation, and facilitate oxygen delivery to various body tissues. Participating in cardio exercise positively impacts our mood, alleviates stress levels, and improves our cognitive function by providing more oxygen supply to our brain. 

Actionable tip: Incorporate activities like aerobics, High intensity interval training (HIIT), CrossFit, biking, jogging, or brisk walking to benefit our heart health and nurture our mental well-being.

Strength training builds muscle strength, maintains bone density, and prevents age-related muscle loss. Incorporating resistance bands, and weights or utilizing our body weight in our workouts leads to stronger muscles, refines movement, and optimizes targeted muscles with every extension and flexion. 

Actionable tip: Integrate exercises like squats, push-ups, lunges, rows, bicep curls, and bench presses to strengthen your muscles effectively.

Stability and balance are crucial and cannot be overlooked. The body is one system of interdependent parts, where smaller muscles that we may not know exist support the movement of large muscles.

Actionable tip: Engage in Pilates to activate muscle groups, concentrating on stability, balance, core, and spinal alignment. These combined benefits improve body control, overall posture, and stability, thus reducing the risks of injuries. Yoga is also a formidable and serene exercise for stability and balance.

Approaching exercises from the three modalities of cardio, strength training, and stability is a great strategy for keeping our bodies strong and agile. Consider it a tool to unlock the door to a longer, more agile life. From the invincibility of our 20s to the wisdom of our 40s and beyond, remember that exercise is crucial to our well-being. Exercise finds its true potential when partnered with proper nutrition, adequate sleep, and emotional well-being. 

So, as you’re the architect of your well-being, persist in your movement, squat, lunge, push, pull, all while discovering your body’s balance and alignment through the graceful practices of Pilates and yoga. 

In good health!

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