Top 5 Reasons to Exercise

1. Exercising makes you healthier and stronger. It lowers blood pressure, resting heart rate and cholesterol. This gives you the ability to do daily chores such as mowing the lawn and taking out the garbage without getting tired and out of breath.

2. Research has shown that exercising makes you happy. It goes beyond feeling good about what you just did, it has to do with chemicals released when you exercise. If you're feeling down, try starting a daily exercise routine.

3. Exercising doesn't necessarily make you live longer but it does extend the disease free years of your life. In effect you'll stay younger for longer. You always hear people talking about how they don't want to live the last years of their lives because they're the worst. With exercise, those last years won't be the worst anymore.

4. In the older population, exercising helps slow down bone deterioration and can even reverse it. By exercising, you actually increase bone density and lower the risk of life threatening accidents as you age. Imagine not being able to lift simple items such as a gallon of milk. Exercise can help older people remain independent.

5. Everyone wants to look great and exercise helps you achieve that goal. It lowers your body fat percentage and increases muscle tone which will make you look great for those beach days.

Now that you know why exercise is important, visit the Beginner's Guide to Exercising and start your own routine. You can also read about other people's workout plans at the cardiovascular exercise and weightlifting forums.

Health Poll of the Week: Does your mind have control over your body when you're at the gym? Do you find yourself giving up mentally sooner than your do physically? Find out how others deal with this problem and state your opinion for a chance to win some free gas or an Amazon gift certificate.