Exercise To Live Well
Exercise over long periods of time reduces the risk of heart attacks, improves lung function, lowers blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, and improves muscle and bone strength with advancing age. It also improves the immune system and boost oxygen levels which means the body can fight bacterial and viral infection more effectively. In short, exercise can lengthen life and improve the quality of that life.
Exercise Slows Premature Aging & Prevents Diseases
Since exercise has not been shown to extend maximum lifespan in animals or humans it appears likely that exercise does not affect the underlying processes that cause us to grow old and die. However its ability to extend mean lifespan suggests that it is effective in slowing premature aging and in helping to prevent heart disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, and other diseases of aging.
Strengthening Bones and Muscles
 Studies have shown that exercise strengthens bones and slows the progression of osteoporosis, a bone-thinning disease that commonly occurs in older women. Weight bearing exercise, especially from lifting weights and using resistance machines places a healthy stress on the bones and encourages new bone growth.
Additionally, with a well-conditioned muscular system, the body is kept in proper alignment. Since muscles hold the skeletal system in place, weak and out-of-shape muscles cause the body to be poorly aligned anatomically. Such malalignment can lead to degenerative joint disorders as bones and their connections, compress together. When joints become crowded, their natural gaps and lubrication is reduced, so that grinding during movement wears them down even further.
Resistance training is especially useful in preventing bones degeneration, which is why we use a Total Gym trainer similar to the one shown in the picture above.
Exercise Extends Life Span in Diabetics
Insulin-dependent ("juvenile") diabetics suffer from faulty pancreatic function, which keeps them from producing the insulin they need for carbohydrate metabolism. Such diabetics suffer a higher than normal rate of cardiovascular diseases and other pathologic complications that lower the quality of their lives and shorten their lifespan.
A study of the effects of exercise in 548 insulin-dependent diabetics at the University of Pittsburgh compared to non-diabetic controls showed that exercise level varied inversely with the occurrence of diabetic complications and mortality Sedentary male diabetics were three times more likely to die than physically active male diabetics. A similar but lower correlation was found in female diabetics.
Exercising For Health and Long Life
It is important to approach exercise as a regular activity designed to improve your health, rather than as a means to competitive success. Exercise must be part of a healthy lifestyle, including a good diet, avoidance of smoking and excessive alcohol intake, reduction of environmental stress, and a positive mental attitude towards life.
Contrary to popular belief exercise does not have to be vigorous or difficult. As long as an extra demand is placed upon you above that which is normally experienced, your body will adapt to the new stress and become conditioned, stronger and healthier. With this strategy progress is assured as your activities are paced within your body's metabolic capabilities and recovery ability.
Learn how to Exercise
The necessity of learning the correct ways to exercise cannot be over stated. Write down your goals, your strengths, and your weaknesses, and discuss them with a knowledgeable trainer, Start at your own pace and move forward when you feel capable. If you perform below your expectations on some days, don't be alarmed. your body has its own biorhythms and will fluctuate in energy and strength from one day to another Just get out there and enjoy yourself. You don't have to measure up to one else or to your previous performances.
Exercise sessions do not have to last several hours to be productive. If you exercise correctly, sessions well under an hour will be sufficient for all your needs. However if you like taking long walks or bike rides, or playing tennis, go ahead and enjoy yourself. To prepare and better endure your workouts, bring some water or maybe a good carbohydrate this will keep you hydrated and protect you form mineral imbalances.
Spinal Injury & Exercise
 As someone with fairly extensive spinal and pelvic injury I cannot over state the importance of a well disciplined exercise routine. Far from discouraging you to exercise a spinal injury should actually be a driver to you exercising. You will of course need to start with some professional assistance in order to build a tailored program to suite your particular injury. Pilates was an exercise program originally designed for those with spinal injuries. It provides a low impact, aerobic form of exercise that teaches disciplined breathing techniques (which is why it is such a good compliment to Yoga exercises).
Pregnancy & Exercise
 Improves self esteem: Keeping fit can help you look and feel great during your pregnancy. At a time when a womens body is going through so many amazing changes, exercising can help us to adapt and embrace our growing body. Exercise can boost our mood, improve self esteem & self confidence.
Promotes healthy weight gain: Staying active and eating well encourages a healthy weight gain during your pregnancy. It can also make it easier to loose pregnancy weight after.
Improves circulation: There is a 30-50% increase in blood volume that comes with pregnancy so staying active promotes circulation that can help to prevent & reduce some of the common minor ailments of pregnancy.
Prevents aches and pains: Pregnant exercisers report fewer pregnancy related issues, such as back and hip pain. Strengthening the muscles of the back, abdominal wall and pelvic floor can help to keep the muscles of the core strong which helps relieve some lower back pain. Keeping muscles strong also helps to correct postural changes that occur as a pregnancy progresses which can keep you feeling great the whole 9 months. Well toned muscles also make birthing easier and less painful.
Increases energy: Exercise can actually give you more energy. It will also help you sleep better at night A pregnant womans body is working hard growing their baby and although there isn't a way to completely offset all the energy going into this, exercise can help. Getting your recommended dose of activity can give you an energy boost that may keep you going longer and feeling better
Prevents gestational diabetes: Exercise and good nutrition are two key ways to prevent gestational diabetes during your pregnancy. If you do experience gestational diabetes during your pregnancy, exercise can help to keep blood sugar levels under control.
Prepares body for childbirth: Childbirth can be an athletic event. Prenatal exercise may not make the labour easier or shorter but going into it strong and fit can give you the stamina and endurance needed for the duration of labour. Exercising mothers tend to have a more rapid physical and emotional recovery from childbirth compared to those who did not exercise during pregnancy.
Decrease in Postpartum Depression: Women who exercise during their pregnancy report fewer incidences of postpartum depression after they've had their baby. During exercise, endorphines are released that give you that natural exercise high which can go along way to helping you feel better about the new changes in your life.
Easier transition to motherhood: Being a mother can be a juggling act; carrying the baby, the diaper bag and lifting the car seat and strollers. Strength training can help moms keep pain free giving them the strength and postural awareness to lift and carry baby and accessories in a way that won't cause injury.
Getting your body back: Losing pregnancy weight can be a big issue for women in the postpartum period. By staying fit during and after pregnancy, you will have an easier time toward getting your old body back.
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