I'd like to talk to you today about a certain “attitude” that affects millions of people and leads to a variety of serious health problems and even early death.

I’ll call it “I-hate-to-exercise-itis!”

I swear some people would rather lie in a bed of spiders and snakes than to work up a good sweat on a regular basis.

And that's a shame because regular exercise has SO many outstanding health benefits!

Here are 10 of the best:

10 benefits of regular exercise

1- Get those skinny jeans out!

This is the most obvious--exercise burns calories and that means losing weight and keeping it off. 

2- Happy heart

Exercise helps improve your circulation and strengthens your heart.  This can lower your blood pressure and cholesterol and reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.

3- Joint pain? What joint pain?

The stronger the muscles are around your joints, the more pressure they take off those joints and the less arthritis pain you have.

This can also mean needing fewer pain pills or anti-inflammatories, and hence a lower risk of ulcers, gastritis and liver damage too.

4- Squeaky clean on the inside

Your lymphatic system is your "inner vacuum" that filters out and eliminates the wastes around your cells.

But unlike your blood which is pumped through your body by your heart, there is no "pump" for your lymph...so YOU have to be the pump with regular exercise! 

5- Endless energy

Exercise delivers oxygen and nutrients to your cells and helps your cardiovascular system work more efficiently.  When you have strong heart and lung function, you have more energy!

6- No more counting sheep

Regular exercise can help you fall asleep faster and deepen your sleep.

7- Improved intimacy

Studies show that exercise improves blood flow all over your body, including below your belt.  Plus it can psychologically enhance intimacy because of the improved confidence in your body and appearance. 

8- Lift your mood

Exercise promotes the release of neurotransmitters and endorphins in your body.

They're Nature's antidepressant and they have absolutely NO side effects! 

9- Chillin’ out

Exercise is far and away the number ONE stress reducer.

Plus the increase in body temperature and release of stress during exercise can have a calming effect on any anxiety you might be suffering from.

10- You’re looking younger every day!

Researchers at McMaster University in Ontario studied a small group of adults between ages 20 and 84, and found that the regular exercisers who were over age 40 had skin that resembled the more supple, elastic skin of people in their 20s and 30s!

Now let’s switch gears and take a look at…

The many forms of “I-hate-to-exercise-itis”

Now that you've (hopefully) gotten the idea that regular exercise is a good thing, let's look at the many forms of "I-hate-to-exercise-itis" and how you can overcome them.

1) "I hate to sweat!"

In addition to regulating your body temperature, sweat is also the vehicle for eliminating lots of toxins from your body.

If those toxins instead remain inside of you, that can lead to inflammation, pain, low energy, really bad BO and swamp breath.

So think of it this way--the less you sweat the more you resemble a dumpster on the inside (and smell like one too).  I hope that’s motivation for you.

2) "I don't have the time."

If you have even looked at a TV or signed on to Facebook this week, you have time to exercise, period. 

Note that you can exercise while watching your favorite shows!  Just put a TV in front of the treadmill or do some squats, push-ups, sit-ups or free weights in front of your living room TV.

You can also take a walk on your lunch hour at work, take the stairs instead of the elevator or park far away from the entrance at the store.

3) "I feel self-conscious at a gym."

Who said you had to exercise at a gym?

There are DVD programs out there for all levels of fitness and activity.  Plus, there are reasonably priced pieces of equipment you can use in your house. 

And remember walking is free (besides the cost of sneakers).

4) "I get bored/It's no fun."

If you get bored with exercise or it feels like drudgery, you need motivation.

Get an exercise buddy.  Not only will you talk and laugh the time away, but you'll be far less likely to skip a workout if you have someone counting on you to show up.

Be sure to pick an activity that you actually like.  If you detest running, please don't try to run.  Walk instead.  Or take a dance class if you like to dance.  Or do yoga.  Just pick something. 

5) "I get out of breath while exercising."

This is most commonly due to conditioning, and the more you strengthen and condition your body, the less winded you will get over time.

Exercise-induced asthma is also an issue for some people.  If that is the case for you, then vitamin C supplements can help.

6) "I get sore muscles."

If you and the couch have been BFFs for a while, you can expect to have some sore muscles when you first start exercising.  The soreness will subside as your body gets more accustomed to moving. 

However, be careful not to go too gung-ho at first and injure yourself.  Build up slowly and smartly.

7) "I'm too old/It's too late."

You are NEVER too old and it's NEVER too late to improve your health!

I saw a 72-year-old female runner when I ran the Empire State Marathon last year at age 56…and she didn’t finish far behind me!

While you don’t have to run 26.2 miles, you certainly can incorporate exercise at ANY age.

Just be sure to get your doctor's OK, especially if you have health challenges or haven't exercised in a long time.

8) "I have no energy for exercise!"

Although regular exercise helps create energy, you must also feel energized enough to do it to begin with!

Lacking energy is very often the result of nutrient deficiencies---and that is typically due to bad digestion or a nutrient-poor diet!

If heartburn, gas, bloating or constipation are regular companions of yours, trust me, you have shoddy digestion and it’s time to change that.

My Great Taste No Pain system can show you how to put together delicious meals that are a snap for your system to digest! 

Goodbye digestive misery!

Plus, GTNP stresses wholesome real foods that provide energy-giving essential nutrients.

In addition, some people experience poor digestion due to being low in enzymes.  If you suspect that’s the case with you (and trust me, if you’ve used acid reducers for a long time or are missing your gallbladder, it’s a given), a complete enzyme formula like Digestizol Max can be just what you need.  Boosting your body’s own enzyme supplies has helped to dramatically improve digestion for many people.

And lastly, if your diet is dicey or you want to make sure you have all your nutrient bases covered, a full-spectrum multi-vitamin and mineral formula like Super Core can round out your nutrient supplies and provide what you may be missing. 

Note that Super Core also contains natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, which can help support your body during exercise!

Adios sofa!

Your days of being a couch potato are about to come to an end.

And you are on the brink of feeling great as a result--probably better than you have felt in YEARS!

Please do it.  Now.

You couldn't do anything nicer for yourself.

To your health,

Sherry Brescia