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A factory or battery chicken
is not allowed any exercise. It's kept inside a cramped cage, 24 hours
a day, and fed so much that it gains over 43 times it’s initial weight
within 8 weeks. By contrast, we can move around whenever we want. But
do we make the most of this freedom? I’m afraid not.
Result? Just like a
battery hen, we’re getting plumper, fattier, and less healthy.
Why not try a different
approach?
Don’t spend the rest of your life cooped up in your kitchen, or your four-wheel
armchair. Instead, get moving! Start moving those arms and legs and get
some air into your body! Why? Because regular exercise gives you 12 great
benefits.
- It helps protect against heart disease.
- It helps protect against many other
diseases, including cancer, strokes, bowel disease and diabetes.
- It strengthens your bones and muscles
which helps to prevent aches and pains as well as osteoporosis and arthritis.
- It helps your body to get rid of toxins
and other waste products. It is particularly beneficial for smokers
as it combats lung-damage and helps protect against poisons in the bloodstream.
- It improves your circulation, thus improving
your skin, hair and eyes.
- It aids digestion.
- It’s good for the brain.
- It boosts energy and stops you feeling
tired.
- It reduces stress, improves your mood
and combats depression.
- It improves your sex life.
- It helps you to get a good night’s sleep.
But the biggest benefit
of all, is happiness. Why? Because as soon as we start exercising,
certain ‘happiness’ chemicals, called endorphins, are released into the
bloodstream. These chemicals give us a natural feeling of well-being,
so we feel more in control of our lives and more confident about ourselves.
Result? Life gets better and more enjoyable.
What sort of exercise do
I recommend?
It depends on your condition.
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If you’re very overweight,
then first have a word with your doctor. If it’s okay with him/her,
I suggest you start with something very gentle but do it regularly
– i.e. at least 10 minutes a day. Try walking, or doing a few gentle
exercises while sitting in a chair, or lying on the floor. Then, as
you get used to moving around, gradually build up to about 20 minutes
a day.
-
If you’re less than two
stone overweight, try going for a daily 15 minute walk. Then, as you
get used to it, gradually extend it to 30-40 minutes a day. Just remember:
there’s no hurry, so take it easy and don’t strain yourself.
Like having sex, or going
to Mass, exercise benefits us most when we make it a regular part of our
lives. It’s no good rushing out and exercising like mad for two weeks
and then giving up. We must make it part of our daily routine.
According to the Journal
of Advanced Medicine (1994), every mile you walk or run theoretically
gives you an extra 21 minutes of life and saves you 30 cents (20p) in
medical care.
So, don’t be a battery hen!
Get moving and start living! It doesn’t matter how flabby or unfit you
are, the benefits you get from even a small amount of regular exercise
far outweigh the effort involved.
The moral? Walk, walk,
don’t squawk, squawk!
For more details about exercise,
click Exercise Tips
To see how many calories we burn up by exercising, click Calories
Return to Weight
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