Benefits of Being More ActiveStrengthens muscles that help you breatheYou become a better fat burner; you actually make more of the enzymes that burn fat in your bodyYou’ll have more energyHelps you regulate your appetite betterImproves insulin sensitivity which helps you to burn calories easier rather than store them as fatIncreases self-esteem so you feel confident about the decisions you are makingHelps relieve tension and anxiety so you are better able to manage your food decisionsDecreases the risk of colon cancer and possibly other cancersMay help retard agingMay increase brain powerWeight bearing and resistance exercise will:Help increase bone strength and prevent osteoporosisHelp you develop overall muscle strengthIncrease basal metabolic rate so you burn more calories even while sleepingHelps keep you from fallingSpecific Benefits to Your Heart:Increases stroke volume (the amount of blood pumped out each time your heart beats)This allows heart rate to decrease and resting pulse to decrease (so the heart works less at rest!)The amount of work performed before you get chest pain will increaseHelps protect against rapid heart rateAffects other risk factors for heart disease by:Decreasing blood pressureDecreasing the circulating blood fats (triglycerides)Decreasing weight around the middleIncreasing HDL, the good cholesterolHelping with smoking cessationHelping to control blood sugarRelieving stressAltering a sedentary lifestyleBy Nancy Kennedy, MS, RD, Cardiac Rehab Educator, Shelby Township, MI