19 awesome reasons to exercise

I know it’s summer and you have exciting places to go and things to do. But wait! Did you forget about your workout?Lots of people fall off the exercise wagon during summer months due to vacations, taking care of kids home for the summer months and other warm weather distractions. I get it, but what about all the amazing perks you’re missing?Just in case you needed motivation to lace those shoes and get your workout back on track, here are 19 awesome reasons to exercise today!

1. Exercise makes clothes fit better: Consistent exercise will tone and tighten your body, and your clothes will not only fit better they also will also look nicer. But don’t get too attached to your current clothes. Exercise ensures that soon you’ll be trading those current clothes for smaller sizes.
2. Exercise reduces stress: Let’s face it, you have enough stress in your life, so take a break. A challenging workout invigorates your muscles and leaves you relaxed and less stressed.
3. Exercise boosts energy: Research routinely concludes that exercise increases energy levels in sedentary people. When you’re feeling fatigued, fight it with exercise.
4. Exercise makes you stronger: You rely on your body’s muscle strength and endurance throughout each day. With consistent, challenging exercise; the body will naturally become stronger.
5. Exercise burns calories: Extra calories end up stored as fat. Fight back by eliminating loads of calories with fat-blasting workouts.
6. Exercise gives you confidence: By exercising consistently, you’re able to increase your natural confidence.
7. Exercise can be fun: Whether you believe it or not, exercise can be enjoyable. Remember how fun it was to run and jump as a child? Tap into your inner child, as you find enjoyment in moving your body through exercise.
8. Exercise reduces blood pressure: Exercise is so powerful that it has been proven more effective than medication in reducing high blood pressure. A single workout has even been shown to reduce blood pressure for the day, and consistent exercise reduces overall blood pressure.
9. Exercise tightens problem areas: With exercise, you can reduce flab on your arms, legs and waistline. So wave goodbye to the jiggles with a consistent, challenging exercise program.
10. Exercise increases insulin sensitivity: Research continues to prove that exercise dramatically improves insulin sensitivity. Peak after-meal insulin levels have been shown to drop by more than 20 percent after as little as three weeks of consistent exercise.
11. Exercise improves sleep: Exercise is your most powerful sleep aid. Tired muscles encourage your body to quickly fall asleep in order to get overnight repair work done.
12. Exercise lowers the risk of heart disease: Exercise strengthens your heart and protects it against disease. A non-active lifestyle is a huge risk factor for heart disease, so use consistent exercise as your ally.
13. Exercise feels amazing: Challenging exercise releases natural endorphins (happy hormones) into the bloodstream that dissolve pain and anxiety. You’ve probably heard of the ìrunner’s high:î This can be achieved by any great workout.
14. Exercise lowers the risk of diabetes: Research has shown that exercising as little as half an hour each day can dramatically reduce your risk of diabetes. If you are at risk of diabetes or already have diabetes, use regular exercise as treatment for reversing the disease.
15. Exercise is an opportunity to meet people:Gyms, boot camps, workout centers and even jogging trails are great places to connect with new friends. So lace up and put yourself out there!
16. Exercise improves BMI: Maintaining a healthy BMI is key in disease prevention, and exercise is the best way to keep BMI under control.
17. Exercise increases endurance: Don’t ever get out of breath from walking up stairs or through the mall again. Regular exercise builds up endurance for everyday activities.
18. Exercise improves overall health: Once you start exercising regularly, you and your doctor will see an overall improvement in your health.
19. Exercise makes you look amazing: Regular, challenging exercises will work wonders on your physique. Within just a few weeks, you’ll start to see shape and tone in all the right places.

Motivation is what gets you started, habit is what keeps you going.RECIPE OF THE MONTHMexican style cauliflower riceMost meals are served with some form of carbs ñ rice, noodles, potatoes or bread. To make strides toward your fitness goal, it’s a good idea to eat fewer carbs at dinner. This recipe for cauliflower rice is a great way to still enjoy a side of rice without sacrificing results by taking in too many calories and carbs. Servings: 8Here’s what you need:1 head organic cauliflower2 small tomatoes, chopped1/2 an onion, chopped2 garlic cloves, minced1 tbsp. tomato pastedash of salt and pepperdash of tajini or red pepper flakes1/4 cup fresh, cilantro, choppedjuice from one lime1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease shallow baking pan with olive oil.2. Using a food processor with the grating blade, grate all of the cauliflower. Set aside.3. In a high speed blender or food processor, blend the tomatoes, onion, garlic, tomato paste, salt, pepper and tajini until smooth.4. Mix the tomato blend evenly into the shredded cauliflower. Pour into prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes. Stir and bake for another 20 minutes.5. Remove from the oven, transfer to serving dish. Mix in the chopped cilantro and drizzle with lime juice. Enjoy!Nutritional Analysis: One serving equals: 28 calories, 1g fat, 91mg sodium, 5g carbohydrate, 1g fiber, and 1g proteindavid@perfectfitwc.com719-331-3352