The "Sweaty Dozen" is a list from the Cleveland Clinic of 12 ways that exercise can transform your life, making you live longer, stronger and happier.
In fact, a study published in the journal Circulation found that over 30 years, people who followed the minimum guidelines by getting 150 minutes of moderate or vigorous physical activity a week lowered their risk of dying from any cause by as much as 21%.
So how does exercise achieve such amazing improvements in longevity?
1. Regular exercise can improve your VO2 max — that means your body consumes more oxygen — helping you fight off aging.
2. It helps burn calories and prevents fat accumulation.
3. Muscles stay stronger longer as exercise pushes back against age-related fading of muscle mass. That protects you from falls, increasingly sedentary behavior, and chronic conditions such as heart disease.
4. Walking, yoga, and strength-training can all help protect bones from osteoporosis.
5. Physical activity reduces the risk of dementia.
6. It also reduces the risks for cardiovascular disease, stroke, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, and breast and colon cancers.
7-9. Exercise also boosts energy (making everyday activities less stressful) and helps control depression and anxiety. It eases chronic pain associated with osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and rheumatoid arthritis as well
10-12. The last three benefits: better sleep, better sex, and better-looking skin.
What's not to love? Start today with a walking program, a yoga class, or a game of pickleball.
For help sticking to your workout plan, get a buddy and read my book "This Is Your Do-Over."