Fit for Life: The Number One Reason to Exercise Revealed

Saturday, December 07, 2013

Matt Espeut, GoLocalWorcester Health + Lifestyle Contributor

According to Matt Espeut, the number one reason people exercise is because it makes them feel good both mentally and physically.

After approximately 20 Fit for Life articles, with ideas, topics, and advice flowing freely to you, GoLocal readers, I found myself on a Thursday night, with a Friday deadline looming before me, wound up from teaching my spin class, and wondering why this week’s focus wasn’t coming to me. I was looking for a fresh idea, an inspiration to write, so I thought about a few encounters I had had this week. First, was friend who talked about how good it feels when you get in more than three workouts in a weeks time. Then, there was my colleague at the gym – the “beast”, we call him - who told me that he was bummed out that work was busy and he had missed the gym all last week. I reassured him that you couldn't tell he missed a beat, and he replied "but I notice - and feel it". I knew just what he was talking about. Finally, there was my client who I hadn't seen since Thanksgiving, and hearing her tell me how she felt so much better after our session today. Then, the week’s topic hit me.

The number one reason to exercise

I found the number one most important reason to exercise. Not for health, not for aesthetics, not for performance, and not for longevity - but because it makes you feel good. Both physically and mentally you just feel good after properly performed exercise. Physically it gets your blood pumping, lubricates your joints and stimulates endorphins.

Endorphins ("endogenous morphine") are endogenous opioid peptides that function as neurotransmitters.[1] They are produced by the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus in vertebrates during exercise,[2] excitement, pain, spicy food consumption, love, and sexual activity,[3][4] and they resemble the opiates in their abilities to produce analgesia and a feeling of well-being.
In other words it elevates your mood and gives you more energy.

And let's not forget the "pump" you get after a bout with the weights, or the clean feeling of fresh air in your lungs after an outside workout. And the best physical benefit is that your posture improves as your core gets stronger, which makes you stand taller, alleviating many aches and pains.

Mental well-being

Mentally it takes away the stresses of the day. If you have been sitting in one place all day, your mind needs to unwind, and working out can put you in another place. When you are working out your main focus is on breathing and lifting with proper form and not the laptop you left in the car. It also builds your self-esteem - thinking that you are looking better makes you feel sexier, and helps build confidence. If you are doing cardio you can let your imagination run wild. Put on some great tunes, and be a beast! Or, just meditate and go for a walk. Whatever your choice, just do something that gets you up and moving gets your blood pumping, and puts your mind at ease, you, too, will feel better. If you don't believe me, ask someone else that exercises, they will give you that confirmation.

Matt Espeut has worked as a personal trainer for almost 20 years with clients ranging in age from 14 to 86. His focus is on overall health, strength, and functional conditioning. Holistic health and nutrition is the cornerstone of all his programs. Matt works in private and small group training available at your home or office location or at gym facilities. Matt offers his services to everyone wanting to be more fit and healthy, overweight young people, youth/collegiate athletes, and seniors. Matt has worked and continues to train at several facilities in the Providence area including Gold's Gym and CORE Studio, and he believes continued education is a must in his field. Email Matt: [email protected], check out his website at www.fitnessprofiles.net or on Facebook at Matt Espeut or on Twitter @MattEspeut.

Related Slideshow: Check Out The Grades: Massachusetts Hospitals Report Card

A recent survey released by The Leapfrog Group assigns a Hospital Safety Score, using the report card system of A to F to each of the hospitals in Rhode Island. These grades are based on expert analysis of injuries, infections and errors that cause harm or death during a hospital stay.

Let's see how each of Massachusetts' hospitals were graded from highest to lowest:

Fit for Life: The Number One Reason to Exercise Revealed

The number one reason to exercise

Mental well-being

Related Slideshow: Check Out The Grades: Massachusetts Hospitals Report Card

Addison Gilbert Hospital

Fall 2013 Grade: A

Spring 2013 Grade: A

Anna Jaques Hospital

Fall 2013 Grade: A

Spring 2013 Grade: B

Baystate Franklin Medical Center

Fall 2013 Grade: A

Spring 2013 Grade: A

Baystate Medical Center

Fall 2013 Grade: A

Spring 2013 Grade: A

Berkshire Medical Center

Fall 2013 Grade: A

Spring 2013 Grade: A

Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Milton

Fall 2013 Grade: A

Spring 2013 Grade: B

Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Fall 2013 Grade: A

Spring 2013 Grade: A

Beverly Hospital

Fall 2013 Grade: A

Spring 2013 Grade: A

Boston Medical Center

Fall 2013 Grade: A

Spring 2013 Grade: A

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Fall 2013 Grade: A

Spring 2013 Grade: A

Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital

Fall 2013 Grade: A

Spring 2013 Grade: A

Cambridge Health Alliance: Cambridge

Fall 2013 Grade: A

Spring 2013 Grade: A

Cambridge Health Alliance: Whidden

Fall 2013 Grade: A

Spring 2013 Grade: A

Cape Cod Hospital

Fall 2013 Grade: A

Spring 2013 Grade: A

Carney Hospital

Fall 2013 Grade: A

Spring 2013 Grade: A

Charlton Memorial Hospital: Southcoast Hospitals Group

Fall 2013 Grade: A

Spring 2013 Grade: B

Emerson Hospital

Fall 2013 Grade: A

Spring 2013 Grade: B

Hallmark Health System: Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford

Fall 2013 Grade: A

Spring 2013 Grade: A

Hallmark Health System: Melrose-Wakefield Hospital

Fall 2013 Grade: A

Spring 2013 Grade: A

Harrington Memorial Hospital

Fall 2013 Grade: A

Spring 2013 Grade: A

Holy Family Hospital

Fall 2013 Grade: A

Spring 2013 Grade: A

Jordan Hospital

Fall 2013 Grade: A

Spring 2013 Grade: C

Lahey Hospital and Medical Center

Fall 2013 Grade: A

Spring 2013 Grade: A

Leonard Morse Hospital

Fall 2013 Grade: A

Spring 2013 Grade: A

Lowell General Hospital

Fall 2013 Grade: A

Spring 2013 Grade: A

Marlborough Hospital