Is this a dirty word to you too?

As I sit here in my karate gi (uniform) and obi (black belt) ready to go teach a class at the dojo soon, I'm compelled to mention an "exciting study" that I read about recently in a magazine. 

The article stated that a study has shown brisk walking is just as good as running when it comes to health benefits like lowering blood pressure.

My reaction was: That’s true, but it’s just the tip of the iceberg.  There’s a lot more to say than that.

So it inspired me to talk to you today about that naughty "E" word and give you the rest of the story…

Is it a dirty word?

Exercise is a dirty word to a lot of people.  It's seen as this dreaded chore that people have to grunt through IF they even do it at all.

Many claim to "not have the time."  Yet they can tell you in detail what happened on Game of Thrones or The Big Bang Theory this week.

Others say that they feel "uncomfortable or self-conscious at a gym."  I have good news:  There are DVDs and equipment you can use right in your own home.  Imagine that.

And sweating?  Oh my word!  I can't even count the number of people that have told me they "just HATE to sweat!"  A shower will take care of that pronto.

The sad thing is, many of these people also happen to be overweight, sick and medicated.

If I've just described you, please listen up.  It's time you opened your eyes and acknowledged that YOU and only you are responsible for your ill state of health.

Then DO something about it...and start by getting some exercise.

Trust me, when you do, a whole new exciting world can open up for you!

Let's take a closer look at what goes on inside of you when you live in...

The happy world of regular exercise

Everyone knows that exercise burns calories and that means a smaller or non-existent spare tire or muffin top.

But that's just the beginning!

Here are 4 other impressive reasons to shake your booty on a regular basis:

1- Double whammy for your ticker and vessels

Not only does exercise help improve your circulation, but it also strengthens ALL of your muscles, including your most important one--your HEART.

That can help lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol and help prevent against heart attack and stroke.

How does THAT sound to those of you on high blood pressure drugs and statins?

2- Spring in your step

The stronger the muscles are around your joints, the more pressure they take off your joints.

Great news for anyone with joint pain and stiffness or full-blown arthritis.

As a matter of fact, in a Tufts University study, arthritis patients who did strength-training exercise reported a 43% decrease in pain compared with only a 12% drop in non-exercisers!

So if you're popping pain pills or anti-inflammatories on a regular basis, you could feel a WHOLE lot better if you just get moving.

Oh, and help prevent against ulcers and gastritis from the pills too.

3- Turn on your inner vacuum

Here's something a lot of people don't realize.

Your lymphatic system is your "inner vacuum."  It's an amazing filtration system in your body designed to suck out and eliminate the garbage around your cells.

One of the ways it dumps out your inner trash is through your SWEAT.

So those of you who "don't like to sweat?"  When you don’t sweat, you run the risk of resembling a walking dumpster, keeping a whole lot of cell wastes and garbage inside of you. 

Not only can this give you BO that deodorant won’t even cover up, but it also makes you a very attractive home to sickness and disease--including cancer.

Maybe sweating isn't so bad after all.  

 

4- Put on a happy face

Exercise encourages the release of feel-good chemicals (neurotransmitters and endorphins) in your body.

They're Nature's anti-depressant and they have absolutely NO side effects!

Plus for those of you with anxiety, the increase in body temperature and release of stress during exercise can have a calming effect on your mood.

OK, but where do I start?

Now that you see that exercise is SO much more than just burning calories, you may be overwhelmed and not know quite where to start.

Once you get your doctor’s nod of approval (trust me, he or she will be thrilled), here are 4 tips to help make sure you succeed:

1) Start slow and build up

One of the most common reasons people don't stick with an exercise program is they go gung-ho in the beginning, get hurt, then quit.

Start slow and build up, my friend.  There's no need to act like you're qualifying for the Olympics on day one.  

Remember this: Whether it takes you 16 minutes or 6 minutes, a mile is still a mile.  

And if walking or running is your activity of choice, know that you'll burn about 90-100 calories a mile whether you walk or run.

2) Make it fun

Exercise doesn't have to be drudgery--it can truly be fun!  Here are some proven ways to make it more enjoyable:

• Pick something you like. And if you don't like any form of exercise, you can at least walk around the block and say hi to your neighbors.
• Get a buddy. You're more likely to stick with exercise if you have someone else relying on you to show up. And if all your friends are exercise loathers, a dog can be your exercise buddy.
• Multi-task. If it's TV you love, watch TV while you're on the treadmill, stationary bike or elliptical. You can watch your favorite shows AND watch your gut disappear! 
• Use your imagination. Things like dancing, yard work and washing the car are exercise too.

3) Improve your digestion

Lacking energy is a BIG reason why many people don't exercise.

But what they don't realize is that many times, lacking energy is a direct result of their how good (or bad!) their digestion is.

You see, nothing your body does demands more energy than digestion.  So if your digestion is poor, 

your body is desperately using up a lot of its energy capabilities just to get the job done.

And that can mean very little energy remaining for your workout!

Plus inadequate digestion can lead to poor nutrient absorption too, which can also leave you too pooped to pop.

Now, the key to having good digestion is to eat meals that your body can more easily break down.

Unfortunately, the typical meals that most people eat could not be digested efficiently even if their GI tract was as strong as the 1970's Pittsburgh Steelers.

But the Great Taste No Pain system can show you how to structure easier to digest meals that taste positively fantastic!

When you eat combinations of foods that can be broken down more efficiently by your stomach and intestines, your system doesn't NEED to use such a tremendous amount of energy for digestion.

So that can leave lots more energy for your workouts!

Plus you'll help encourage proper absorption of nutrients too, which will help ensure your body has what it needs to keep YOU moving!

4) Consider Vitamin B12 supplementation

Vitamin B12 is an important facilitator in your metabolism that generates your body's energy from fats and sugars.

Unfortunately, it's also a very common deficiency--especially with vegetarians, people who use antacids, people who have had gastric surgery and the elderly.  

When you're low in B12, your body has trouble producing energy as efficiently as it should...and you can end up quitting on your workouts as a result.

Your doctor can do a simple test to see if you're low in B12.  If you are and changes to your diet aren't enough, supplementation can help make sure you get what you need.

And Hydroxaden 2.5 is as good as it gets.

Hydroxaden 2.5 is a convenient vitamin B12 spray that gives you the 2.5 mg of B12 (in the form of hydroxocobalamin) suggested by many health experts.  Just five sprays under your tongue each day is all it takes.

Studies show that B12 taken sublingually can be quickly and efficiently absorbed right into your bloodstream from the mucus membranes in your mouth.

And from there it can "get busy" boosting your energy level!

Open up YOUR whole new world

Once you begin moving your body, a whole new world can open up for you...a world where you feel better than you have in YEARS!

Don't procrastinate any longer.  Don't make excuses. 

Nothing is more important than your health.

Start now.

To your health,

Sherry Brescia

PS: Always be sure to let your doctor or healthcare provider know what supplements you are taking.