Why Do I Need to Exercise?

Lowering Cholesterol Levels with Exercise

Regardless of whether or not you have been diagnosed, exercise is a very important weapon in the fight against high cholesterol and heart disease. Studies have proven that exercising regularly (about 30 minutes between three and five times a week) elevates HDL (the "good" cholesterol) levels, therefore removing excess LDL (the "bad" cholesterol) from the blood. The activities you could do to reduce high cholesterol are without boundaries—aerobics, weight lifting, swimming, hiking, and dancing are just a few that come to mind. The point of exercise, along with a healthy diet and lifestyle, is to reduce the amount of cholesterol circulating in the blood. By doing this, you are limiting heart disease and many other serious complications that are associated with having high cholesterol.

Getting Motivated

Finding the Time to Exercise with a Busy Schedule

Now, I know what you’re thinking…you have a MILLION things to do—where do you find the time to exercise? Just follow these simple steps, and you’ll be very surprised how easy it is!

• Before you begin any type of exercise program, consult your physician to make sure that program is right for you.
• Set aside time in your schedule to exercise, just like you would set aside time for any other appointment. Just remember, any time is a good time for exercise.
• Daily chores count!Various household chores, such as vacuuming, mowing the lawn and washing your car are good forms of exercise.
• Walk as often as possible, even if it means parking further away from your destination or not relying on automotive transportation altogether.

  Walking is not only good for you, but it is also safest form of exercise there is.

• Work out your exercise plan to where you are able to do a variety of exercise activities during the week. Doing only one activity may cause you to become bored and quit exercising.
• Skip the elevators and escalators—take the stairs! This form of exercise will also help to build leg and lower abdominal muscles.
• If it has been awhile since you have exercise, slowly build yourself up to five times a week. Beginning an exercise regimen too suddenly will cause you to burn out and stop exercising.
• If you have hard time committing yourself to exercise, initially commit yourself to five minutes of exercise that day. You will find that once your five minutes have passed, you won’t want to stop.
• Have fun! Not only are you going to look and feel great, you are also going to be lowering your cholesterol levels and preventing heart disease in the process.