What Happens When I Exercise?

Why is exercise important for our body?

Exercise helps boost blood circulation from the heart to various different organs and parts of the body and helps keep them healthy.  It has been proven scientifically that being physically active leads to a healthier and happier life. People who exercise daily have a lower risk of getting diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cholesterol, and cancer. Exercise not only keeps the body fit but also helps to boost self-esteem, confidence, and mood. 

Why do we feel body pain after an intense workout?

This generally occurs because our muscles run out of energy. During exercise, our muscles generate lactic acid as one of the by-products due to which the pH level of the blood falls. At this point, we need some rest. We also utilize a lot of energy while exercising which depletes the body’s energy reservoirs. Hence it is very important to eat healthy, energy-rich foods, typically proteins after an intense workout, to replenish the body. 

What are the Benefits of Exercise?

 Exercise not only keeps the body fit but also helps to boost self-esteem, confidence, and mood. Some other benefits of exercise are:-

1. Exercise controls weight

Exercise helps to prevent excess weight gain and keeps our body fit. Engaging in physical activities such as running and jogging helps to burn calories. The more intense the workout is the more calories one burn. While some people focus too much on losing belly fat, it is important to remember that every part of the body needs exercise and focusing on only one thing may not be very useful in the long run. Consistency is key in order to achieve a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle. 

2. Exercise improves mood

Performing exercise improves mental health to a great extent. It reduces anxiety, stress and boosts our morale. Exercising releases endorphins which improves mood as well as the energy level of the body. Positivity in body language is reflected in people who exercise daily.

3. Exercise boosts energy

Physical activity that increases the heart rate is very good. It helps in blood circulation. It delivers oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and helps our cardiovascular system to work efficiently and smoothly.

Exercises we can perform at home

Some exercises we can perform at home are:-

1. Pushups: Pushups are beneficial to maintain the upper part of the body. It also helps to build up triceps and pectoral muscles.
2. Squats: Squats strengthens the lower part of the body and provides core strength. It improves the flexibility of the back and hips.
3. Single-leg deadlifts: This exercise helps to maintain balance. Single-leg deadlifts provide stability and leg strength.
4. Burpees: Burpees are super-effective exercises that involve almost every muscle of the body. It provides great bang for cardiovascular endurance and muscle strength.
5. Plank: Last but not the least, a strong body always requires a strong core at its foundation. It reduces the risk of any back injury and strengthens three muscle groups at once.

Fun-Facts:-

1. The human body uses 200 muscles to take a single step forward.
2. People who don’t regularly exercise may lose up to 80% of their muscle strength by age 65.

Objective Questions:-

1. What are the advantages of exercise?
   (a) Controls weight.
   (b) Improves blood circulation throughout the body.
   (c) Boosts confidence and self-esteem
   (d) All of these
2. Why do we feel fatigued after an intense workout?
   (a) Due to the release of lactic acid
   (b) Due to increased levels of glucose in the body.
   (c) Due to the release of hormones.
   (d) None of these
3. What are the simple exercises we can perform at home?
   (a) Tire-flip
   (b) Battling ropes
   (c) Push-ups
   (d) None of these
4. How many muscles does one use to take a step forward?
   (a) 10
   (b) 100
   (c) 150
   (d) 200

Quiz:-

1. Exercise refreshes our mood and builds up strength. (T/F)
2. If we do not perform physical activity regularly then we can lose up to 80% of our muscles. (T/F).
3. Exercise does not improve cardiovascular endurance (T/F).
4. Exercise improves oxygen circulation throughout the body (T/F)
5. Exercise does not cure any disease (T/F)