Weekly there are new reports on the growing problem of obesity in America. The advantages of making exercise a regular part of your life outweigh the medical conditions affiliated with an excessive beltline. The most prevalent health issues associated with being overweight include the following medical conditions:

• Coronary artery disease
• Depression
• Diabetes
• Osteoporosis
• High blood pressure
• Stroke

Did you know? Regular physical activity may also help reduce the chances of acquiring certain carcinomas, such as colon cancer.

As easy as it sounds to perform 30-minutes of physical activity per day, the hardest obstacle is getting motivated to put one’s body into motion.

Here are ten incentives to exercise:

• Boosts lung and breathing capacity
• Maintains flexibility and endurance
• Develops bone mass
• Improves the body’s balance
• Working-out is a primary ingredient in controlling blood pressure
• Physical activity relieves the mind of symptoms associated with depression and anxiety
• When diabetics add exercise to their lifestyle, it helps manage the condition
• For patients with osteoporosis, working out helps strengthen bones and muscles
• Aquatic physical activities help ease chronic pain
• In patients with Alzheimer’s Disease, working out enhances both the physical and emotional well-being

There is a misconception amongst people with chronic diseases about exercise. For example, when arthritic patients add moderate activity to their life, they can lessen pain, increase the flexibility of joints and enhance mobility. Researchers have found that aquatic exercising and bicycling alleviates certain arthritic pain.

More importantly, as the body matures, it is depleted of lean muscle mass. The elasticity of skin, joints and ligaments decreases with age. The vital bodily function of delivering oxygen to the heart, lungs and blood vessels diminishes, as well. Consequently, physical activity is imperative to enduring health.