Benefits

When losing weight, more physical activity increases the number of calories your body uses for energy. Using calories through physical activity, combined with reducing the calories you eat, creates a calorie deficit that results in weight loss.

Most weight loss occurs from decreasing caloric intake. However, evidence shows the only way to maintain weight loss is to be engaged in regular physical activity.

Being active and taking regular physical activity lowers blood pressure by keeping your heart and blood vessels in good condition. Regular activity can also help you lose weight, which will also help lower your blood pressure.

A lack of physical activity can increase the level of “bad cholesterol” (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL). LDL carries cholesterol to the cells that need it. If there’s too much cholesterol for the cells to use, it can build up in the artery walls, leading to disease of the arteries.

HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) carries cholesterol away from the cells and back to the liver, where it’s either broken down or passed out of the body as a waste product. For this reason, HDL is referred to as “good cholesterol” and higher levels are better.

Physical activity is important for building strong bones when we are younger, and it is essential for maintaining bone strength when we are older.

Physical activity promotes chemicals in the brain that improve your mood and make you more relaxed. Specifically, the brain releases feel-good chemicals called endorphins throughout the body.

Just as physical activity strengthens other muscles in your body, it also helps your heart muscle work better to pump blood throughout your body. This lowers the stress on your heart and arteries, which if blocked, can cause heart attacks and stroke.

Physical activity can help relieve joint pain from osteoarthritis. It strengthens the muscles around the joints which helps take the stress off joints, reduces joint stiffness, and builds flexibility and endurance.

Staying active can help you lower your risk of many types of cancer including breast, colorectal and uterine cancers. It may lower cancer risk by helping weight management and strengthening the immune system.

Increasing your activity levels can contribute to more sound and restful sleep. Physical activity increases the time spent in deep sleep, the phase of sleep that is most beneficial to our health. Deep sleep also helps to boost immune function, support cardiac health, and control stress and anxiety.