Exercise, exercise, exercise! Daily activity will keep you healthy. It increases energy expenditure which indirectly increases metabolism. Physically active people have less body fat. Over the long haul regular exercise will increase lean muscle tissue, keeping that metabolic rate higher on a regular basis. It helps control appetite as it has released stored fuels such as fat. Exercise reduces stress. Stress raises cortisol levels which results in added stored fat. It improves blood pressure levels, insulin resistance and cardiovascular fitness. It brings oxygen to the brain so thinking is clearer. Exercise enhances circulation thus bringing more nutrients to all the tissues in the body and aiding in the elimination of the waste products produced.
Both aerobic and weight-bearing exercise is important. A minimum of 30 minutes a day of getting your heart rate up is recommended. This could be in the form of a brisk walk, run, bicycle ride, dancing or whatever is enjoyable enough to do daily. Weight bearing exercise should be done at least three times per week. This will increase bone density thus aiding in the prevention of osteoporosis.
Here is a video on how to stretch the Iliopsoas muscle:
“As I mentioned, I was a personal trainer years ago and I still refer to my anatomy books to diagnose surprise aches and pains. Suddenly a couple of weeks ago I developed major discomfort in my left groin and lower back so I limped around my business office for a full week before I searched online for treatment for the iliopsoas muscle. Your video demonstration reminded me that sitting at a desk all day will reduce flexibility, shorten muscles and over time compromise posture. The best part of your video was the stretch you demonstrated to lengthen the iliopsoas muscle area. My discomfort was remarkably improved after only one day of stretching and I just about have regained full range of motion.
The trend these days is for people to live longer lives. As a professional financial advisor, I have to prepare more ‘preventive’ investment strategies for my clients to stay ahead of potential financial problems later in life.
I see the same ‘preventive’ value for regaining and maintaining healthy posture and stretching flexibility, to assure functionality and better quality of life. Certainly posture and stretches are cheaper than pills and surgery!
Thank you, Julie!”
-- D.M. Shepard, Torrance, California
Here is a video for keeping your knees healthy by using a foam roller:
