The Benefits of Exercise
Michael Villalpando
Professor Chastaine
English 102, Essay #1
September 17, 2012
Improving Your Quality of Life Through Exercise
Adding exercises into one’s daily routines can change their whole lifestyle. Many people look at exercise as being something just for people who want to lose weight or to add muscle and bulk up, but there are a great deal of benefits that can be received from exercising regularly. Gaining muscle and losing fat are the two most popular reasons that people make their way to the local gym, but they only make up a small portion of the benefits that you may receive through exercise.
There are many ways that exercise can improve one’s quality of life other than just weight management. According to a Surgeon General’s report titled, Physical Activity and Health, “despite common knowledge that exercise is healthful, more than 60 percent of American adults are not regularly active, and 25 percent of the adult population are not active at all” (Surgeon General). Exercising benefits you both mentally and physically and is as good for your head as it is for your heart.
First off exercise has a major impact mentally on one’s self-esteem. Self-esteem is related more closely to body image than any other single element of self (Fox 411-418) The saying of, “If you look good, you feel good” can be applied in this situation. I know that personally when I feel I look good or receive a compliment saying I look good than I have more confidence throughout my day. With the improvement of physical features through exercise comes an improved perception of one’s self and therefore an increase in self-esteem. (Fox 411-418) Kenneth Fox, the author of “The Influence of Physical Activity on Mental Well-Being” also has another theory on how exercise can have a positive effect on self-esteem. Fox says exercise can have a positive impact on self-esteem based on mastery and self-determination. (Fox 411-418) For most people, including myself, it feels great to have
Professor Chastaine
English 102, Essay #1
September 17, 2012
Improving Your Quality of Life Through Exercise
Adding exercises into one’s daily routines can change their whole lifestyle. Many people look at exercise as being something just for people who want to lose weight or to add muscle and bulk up, but there are a great deal of benefits that can be received from exercising regularly. Gaining muscle and losing fat are the two most popular reasons that people make their way to the local gym, but they only make up a small portion of the benefits that you may receive through exercise.
There are many ways that exercise can improve one’s quality of life other than just weight management. According to a Surgeon General’s report titled, Physical Activity and Health, “despite common knowledge that exercise is healthful, more than 60 percent of American adults are not regularly active, and 25 percent of the adult population are not active at all” (Surgeon General). Exercising benefits you both mentally and physically and is as good for your head as it is for your heart.
First off exercise has a major impact mentally on one’s self-esteem. Self-esteem is related more closely to body image than any other single element of self (Fox 411-418) The saying of, “If you look good, you feel good” can be applied in this situation. I know that personally when I feel I look good or receive a compliment saying I look good than I have more confidence throughout my day. With the improvement of physical features through exercise comes an improved perception of one’s self and therefore an increase in self-esteem. (Fox 411-418) Kenneth Fox, the author of “The Influence of Physical Activity on Mental Well-Being” also has another theory on how exercise can have a positive effect on self-esteem. Fox says exercise can have a positive impact on self-esteem based on mastery and self-determination. (Fox 411-418) For most people, including myself, it feels great to have
Cited: Raymond, Stainback. "Does exercise effect the circulatory system?." Texas Heart Insitute. St. Luke 's , 01 NOV 2008. Web. 15 Sep 2012. Fox , Kenneth. "The Influence of Physical Activity on Mental Well-Being." Public Health Nutrion. 2. (199): 411-418. Web. 16 Sep 2012. Craft, Lynette. "The benefits of Exercise for the Clinically Depressed." The Primary Care Companion. The Association of Medicine and Psychiatry, 2004. Web. 16 Sep 2012. General, Surgeon. "Physical Activity and Health." Center for Chronic Disease. N.p., 17 NOV 1999. Web. 18 Sep 2012. Dayley, Amanda. "Exercise Therapy and Mental Health in Clinical Populations." Advances in Psychiatric Treatment. N.p., 2002. Web. 18 Sep 2012.