As the year comes to close and we enjoy the holiday festivities it becomes increasingly hard to keep our exercise routines up.  This newsletter highlights easy ways to incorporate exercise into our daily routines.

For my patients who received the holiday promotion letter – please send the letters back as soon as possible!

Dr. Jaspreet Mundeir

Health Benefits of Exercising!

Exercise improves your mood. Stimulating brain chemicals while exercising leaves you feeling happier and more relaxed.  Losing a few pounds from exercising will also help boost your confidence and self-esteem.

Exercise combats chronic diseases. It has been proven repeatedly that exercising can reduce your risk for diseases such as osteoporosis, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, and colon cancer to name a few.

Exercise boosts your energy level. Physical activity increases the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to your tissues – when incorporated into your routine regularly, exercise can help the circulation of your blood be more efficient.  The result is more energy!

Exercise promotes better sleep. Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and deepen your sleep.  Be sure not to exercise too close to bed time – as it can keep you awake.

Exercise can put the spark back into your sex life. Looking and feeling better, as well as having more energy may have a positive effect on your sex life.  Women who exercise regularly experience enhanced arousal and men who do the same are less likely to have problems with erectile dysfunction.

Eight Exercise Tips

Eight easy tips to sneak exercise into your busy schedule.

1. Going outside to pick up the mail or the newspaper?  Take a brisk 5 minute walk up the street and back.  Got time on your hands as you wait for your prescription to be ready or your child to finish their music lessons?  Do the same.  Add 1 minute bursts of jogging if you are feeling more adventurous.
2. During commercials – jog in place, do jumping jacks and some crunches.  Alternate after every two commercials – in one 5 minute commercial break a 150 pound woman can burn 45 calories!
3. While cooking dinner – do lunges or standing push-ups against the kitchen counter (away from the stove) in between tasks.
4. Play with your children or animals.  Turn a trip to the park into a workout! Get creative!
5. Increase your productivity at work – while taking your break – go outside for a brisk walk with a co-worker (get your gossiping and exercising in!), or spend 5-10 minutes climbing the stairs while listening to your iPod.  Have to go to another building for a meeting?  Leave 5 minutes early and take the longer route to walk there.
6. Going shopping or out to eat?  Park further away so you have to walk!
7. While traveling in airports – avoid the moving sidewalks, while waiting for a flight – walk around the concourse as much as you can.
8. Avoid the elevators and take the stairs as much as you can.  If you have to take the elevator – do calf stretches!  Encourage your fellow elevator riders to join in – you might make a new friend!