The cold makes you want to spend the day in bed, but there are eight good reasons to stop being lazy and exercise
Regular exercise is essential for maintaining good health. However, during the cold winter days it is common to feel lazy and, as a result, abandon your routine.
To encourage you to maintain your training routine even in winter, we have invited a team of experts to list some benefits of this practice. Watch:
1 – Reduces swelling and cellulite
When we exercise there is an increase in blood flow. This causes increased transport of oxygen and nutrients to the body’s tissues.
“As a result, the lymphatic system starts to work faster, promoting faster elimination of toxins from the body and reducing fluid retention. As a result, swelling is reduced, which also becomes less frequent,” says dermatologist Paola Pomerantzeff, member of the Brazilian Society of Dermatology (SBD).
In addition, exercise is also essential to treat cellulite. “Diet, exercise and lymphatic drainage are essential. Aesthetic treatments must be started after the patient has become aware of the importance of changing their lifestyle. Otherwise, results will not be achieved”, emphasizes Cláudia Merlo, a doctor specialized in Cosmetology at the BWS Institute.
2 – Improves hair health
Hair also benefits from exercise. “The increased blood flow provided by exercise and the resulting improvement in the supply of nutrients and oxygen to the scalp creates an ideal environment for the growth of healthy hair,” says Jaqueline Zmijevski, dermatologist at the Brazilian Society of Dermatology (SBD ) and Member of Trichology of the Brazilian Medical Association (AMB).
Additionally, exercise helps reduce stress, which can cause hair damage. “Cortisol is the main hormone released when we are under the influence of stress. The problem is that high levels of cortisol can lead to an inflammatory state. This prevents hair growth and is involved in the hair loss process,” warns the doctor.
3 – Promotes anti-aging action
A series of other mechanisms come into play in the anti-aging action of physical exercise. “Through exercise, our body is better able to deal with free radicals thanks to the extra production of endogenous antioxidants. This helps prevent oxidative damage and the production of enzymes that degrade collagen and promote the appearance of wrinkles and sagging,” says dermatologist Mônica Aribi.
Another anti-aging benefit of exercise is the proper use of energy from the carbohydrates (sugar) we consume. “Excessive sugar consumption leads to increased oxidative stress and collagen glycation. This process accelerates the appearance of sagging and wrinkles,” explains plastic surgeon Beatriz Lassance.
4 – Prevents metabolic diseases
It is proven that exercise can prevent numerous diseases and even reverse cases of diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. “The practice of physical activity is considered of great importance in the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome,” says nutritionist Marcella Garcez, director and professor of the Brazilian Association of Nutrology (ABRAN).
The professional emphasizes that combining strength activities with resistance and aerobic exercises offers the best results. “Even those who already suffer from diseases such as diabetes, high cholesterol and hypertension benefit from physical exercise. This is because they experience greater metabolic expenditure, greater insulin sensitivity, greater cardiorespiratory capacity, reduced anxiety levels and better sleep quality,” says Marcella.
5 – Helps with fertility
Several studies report that physical activity can provide benefits for fertility. That is, if the exercise is not strenuous, does not involve the use of steroids, and is combined with adequate nutrition. This is because one of the great benefits of physical exercise in relation to fertility is better weight control.
“Obesity has a direct influence on fertility. In men, excess body fat impairs testosterone production. This, in addition to reducing sexual appetite and causing erection difficulties, also interferes with the quality and quantity of In general, the greater the overweight, the lower the quality, concentration and mobility of the spermatozoa”, underlines Rodrigo Rosa, human reproduction specialist and clinical director of the Mater Prime clinic.
“In women, inadequate weight interferes with the production of female sex hormones, especially estrogen, which consequently hinders the ovulation process. And, in this case, it is not just obesity, since even excessively thin women, such as those who suffer from anorexia are less likely to get pregnant, as well as having a greater risk of going into early menopause”, adds the doctor.
6 – Contributes to the correct functioning of the kidneys
Practicing physical activity is an important precaution to prevent pathologies that can affect the kidneys. “Exercise has a positive effect on a number of risk factors associated with the onset of chronic kidney disease, such as chronic inflammation, cardiovascular disease and diabetes/hypertension,” explains nephrologist Caroline Reigada, medical specialist intensive care of the Brazilian Association of Intensive Medicine.
“People who already have kidney disease can and should also exercise. The biggest effect on these patients is the improvement in their health and vascular function, which directly affects the health of their kidneys,” says the specialist. According to her, both weight training and resistance training as well as aerobic exercises help the overall health of patients with and without kidney disease.
7 – Reduces the risk of thrombosis
Sedentary lifestyle, as well as cold, is one of the main risk factors for the development of thrombosis. “Staying still for a long time without moving your calves decreases the speed of blood inside the vessels, favoring the formation of clots inside the veins of the legs that impede the passage of blood,” warns vascular surgeon Aline Lamaita, member of the Brazilian Society of Angiology and Vascular Surgery.
In rarer cases, according to the specialist, the clot can also detach from the wall of the vein and travel through the circulation until it reaches the lung, causing a pulmonary embolism that can even lead to death.
“Therefore, physical exercise is essential to minimize the risk of thrombosis, since physical activity increases blood flow and improves venous return,” he emphasizes.
8 – Shape your body for the summer
Bodybuilder and former BBB Aline Dahlen emphasizes that the summer body is built in the winter, which gives her even more reason to keep up her exercise routine even in the cold.
“If I say it’s not a big effort, I’m lying. The first advice I give to my followers is: a beautiful body is what makes you feel happy. When we find pleasure in what we do, both through the process itself, through the aesthetic result or healthcare, it stops being a sacrifice and becomes a pleasure. We must love ourselves more and always take care of ourselves”, he says.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
