Although weight loss is one of the most common motivators, there are many additional health benefits to be gained from exercise. Exercising regularly can lower your risk of suffering from certain ailments, while boosting positive responses in the body.

Exercise Decreases Risk of:

- Cancer - The link between physical activity and a reduced risk for various cancers is well established. The American Cancer Society recommends exercising 30 or minutes, at least 5 days a week, for the maximum protection.
- Cardiovascular disease – Exercise strengthens your heart and cardiovascular system, improve circulation, helps your body use oxygen better, lowers blood pressure, and reduces levels of inflammation-causing C-reactive proteins.
- Diabetes - Regular exercise reduces your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If you already have type 2 diabetes, taking part in a regular walking program can improve your body's ability to process sugar and lower your blood sugar.
- Macular degeneration – An active lifestyle can cut your risk of age-related macular degeneration by p to 70%. Just be sure to wear sunglasses that block UVA/UVB rays when taking that activity outdoors.
- Gum Disease – Adults who do 30 minutes of moderate activity 5 or more times per week are 42% less likely to have the gum disease periodontitis.
- Osteoporosis - Performing weight-bearing exercise increases bone mass and density, and lessens your risk if osteoporosis and bone fractures.
- Musculoskeletal pain – Healthy adults who consistently do aerobic activity have 25% less musculoskeletal pain than no-exercisers. For those with conditions such as arthritis, low-impact exercise actually decreased pain and stiffness.
- Sleep problems – People who regularly engage in exercise have fewer episodes of sleeplessness. Exercise promotes improved sleep quality by allowing smoother and more regular transition between the cycles and phases of sleep. In addition time required to fall asleep was reduced by half in adults who engaged in exercise 20-30 minutes every other day, and sleep time increased by almost one hour.

Exercise Boosts:

- Energy – Moving your body actually increases energy and reduces fatigue in nearly every group studied, even among people suffering from chronic medical conditions associated with fatigue.
- Brain power –Exercise increases blood flow, delivering more oxygen to your brain. It also spurs new growth in the areas of the brain that control multitasking, planning and memory.
- Immunity – Moderate activity boosts your immune system, helping your body to fight off viruses and other bugs. Regular cardio exercisers had 1/3 as many colds as those who didn’t exercise.
- Mood - Exercising regularly increases endorphins, which promote a sense of well-being, and stimulates the release of epinephrine, a hormone that creates a sense of happiness and excitement.
- Self-image – Of course, regular exercise can lead to positive changes in how you look. But, just knowing that you are doing something good for body can make you feel better about yourself; research has shown that women who engaged in an exercise program felt more attractive, even if they didn’t lose weight.

What is the best exercise program? Anything that keep you moving! Even walking 30-45 minutes most days of the week would help you achieve most all the health benefits listed above; incorporating flexibility and strengthening exercises would provide numerous additional advantages.

Dr. Cherry often says that health on the natural side consists of exercise, supplements and nutrition. If you get these three things working together, you will be well on your way to your pathway to healing.