So, we all (or perhaps many of us) know that exercise is good for us right? Benefits of regular exercise are endless. And guess what, not getting enough exercise can cause endless problems too. Unfortunately, it’s not just weight gain, but it goes way beyond that.
If you’ve ever considered what actually happens to your body if it doesn’t get enough exercise, below is a list of reasons you should avoid inactivity at all costs. No one is immune!
#1 Energy Levels drop
In order for you to feel energetic, you need “mitochondria” which are energy producing structures that live in the cells of body tissues, organs and muscles. These amazing little structures need carbohydrates and oxygen to function properly. Since they are required for all bodily functions and movement, you definitely can’t live without them.
If/when your heart isn’t working at its full potential, i.e when you’re not exercising enough, mitochondria levels drop and your oxygen levels reduce due to this lack of exercise. This results in you feeling fatigue when energy production is slowed down and the body requires the same amount of energy to get work done.
#2 Bone Issues
Apparently our bones love a workout almost as much as they love calcium. The lack of weight-bearing exercise causes bones to lose density and the ability to properly store calcium. Less calcium in your bones means more of a mineral build up in organs such as your kidneys, the cause of kidney stones.
If the period of inactivity is long enough, bones eventually start to weaken. This oftentimes results in osteoporosis, which leads to a much higher risk of painful bone fractures.
#3 Muscle Problems
Just like bones, muscles benefit from a good workout. One of the first signs of being out of shape, due to inactivity, is loss of strength and muscle tone. When muscles are idle, blood flow slows down and the exchange of waste products and nutrients decreases. Less mitochondria results in lack of muscle coordination.
Without exercise, the “electrical” connection between your nerves and muscles is sporadic at best. How does this affect you? You’ll typically find it more difficult to move around with the agility that you once could. It could also mean decreased strength and an increased risk of muscle injury, because of shrinking muscle mass.
#4 Heart-Related Difficulties
Whatever your age, it’s important to keep your heart as healthy as possible. Even though your heart muscle is different from your skeletal muscles, the same health-related principles apply. Without proper exercise, the heart muscle shrinks. This makes it difficult to adequately distribute blood throughout the body and causes the heart to work much harder to get the blood to where it actually needs to go, especially in your hands and feet.
Sluggish blood flow can lead to plaque formation in the blood vessels. This, in turn, sometimes causes high blood pressure, dizziness and circulation problems. All of these conditions are potentially dangerous if left untreated.
#5 Weight gain
And of course weight gain is one of the common results of lack of exercise.
As you can see, inactivity causes havoc and damages your body. This is especially true for individuals who already deal with chronic conditions, because it typically only makes things worse.
In many cases, periods of inactivity are inevitable. But, the sooner you can participate in even a light exercise regimen, the better off your mind and your body will be.
It’s important to remember that even a little bit of exercise is better than no exercise at all.
Hate exercise much? Has this post changed your mind? Would love to hear your experience/comments even if you love exercise.
Check out my other posts to help with your exercise
Get into the habit of walking without hurting yourself
All good reasons to exercise regularly 🙂
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True Lisa 🙂
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This is fantastic! I’ve been struggling lately and these reminders of how important exercise it on all parts of my body is really great motivation. Thanks!
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You’re welcome Kristin 🙂
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I just started a new job where I’m sitting at a desk for most of the day. I can already see this impacting my health in a negative way. I just need to be more conscious of moving throughout my day and scheduling in times to workout in my week.
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Congrats on the new job Divya! And yeah with an office job you’ve to be careful or you’ll move less and get used to it (lol) which won’t be good. I’ve had office jobs all my career life and the best way I’ve incorporated exercise is to have an exercise routine either first thing in the morning or after work AND going out for/around lunch (no matter what’s happening that day). If i didn’t, I got tired, lol.
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Unfortunately this is me! Especially with the fatigue, the muscle issues and the weight gain. I definitely need to get out more and exercise!
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Acknowledging it is a start! Once you start doing something I’m sure you won’t want to stop 🙂
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This just gave me more motivation to stay active. I actually feel cranky now, when I don’t get a workout in.
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I’m the same Jade! I feel cranky, restless and all that. Both body and mood will tell me it’s time I get a good workout!
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This post really resonates with me staying activity is important for our personal health!
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It sure is Jay 🙂
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These are good reasons why we should workout more. It is not just about weight gain but also our entire body! Thanks for the share. xx
http://www.prettyweirdbombshell.com/choosing-right-foundation-6-things-consider/
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Agree! I think most of the time we think weight gain if we don’t exercise when there’s more to it than that!
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Such valuable information in this post!
I don’t exercise regularly like I should, so tend to feel fatigue in those days I don’t.
Am trying to get back into it, just got back from a 5km walk actually 🙂
Thanks for sharing.
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Walks are good too! You’ll get there 🙂
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These are so on point! It’s amazing that you can have less energy if you aren’t active, when you’d think being active would be what drains you! Great post.
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Precisely! Staying inactive drains you too! I’m way more productive when I’ve kept the exercise going, my little one is the same too 🙂
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I can totally tell when I am slacking in the exercise department, especially in my muscles. They get so tight and my back pain starts to creep up…
http://www.overcomeordinary.com
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Same here Caroline! x
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I used to think that I hated exercise but I actually just hated running. Now that I’ve found exercises classes and types of exercise that I like, I love it! So finding something you enjoy is so important.
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Quite right Alexandria. That’s also the trick to it – finding something that works for you as long as it’s beneficial 🙂
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Great article. It should be remembered, any exercise will do – hiking, sports, biking, walking stairs instead of elevators, martial arts, tai chi…in the U.K. they have started “walking football/soccer” for those who are older/have trouble moving to keep people active.
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What a great initiative in the UK? Wish they had it in NZ… And yep, any exercise helps.
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A great reminder that working out is about our health not just our looks.
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Lol, true that!
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All good reason to exercise. But still damn lazy to absorb in my routine. Please get me an easy way to start exercising on regular basis!!!
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Regular walks helped me Muhammad but it depends on what you enjoy (walking/running/gym) and what your schedule looks like.
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This is a great article. I am quite young around but the relax lifestyle has gotten my to be lazy. I really need to improve my fitness and exercise more. But I do walk long distances though!
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Walking is great, it helps more than we think. Every bit of body movement helps actually!
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These are such good reasons. Even though I am skinny I need to exercise. I have had muscle problems because of inactivity. Thanks for these tips 😀
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True Vibeke, it doesn’t matter how big/small you’re. The trick is to keep active for the other reasons in the post. x
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Thanks for this post! This was definitely a great reminder for me. I RECENTLY just bought a gym pass so I’m all ready and everything, haha! 😉
xo, Chloe // http://funinthecloset.com/style-coats-spring/
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Good one Chloe!
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Wow, good tips! I had no idea!
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I know, right! We seem to focus more on the weight gain when there’s inactivity when there’s more to it!
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Great post! Being active is so important, and can really work to prevent so many adverse health effects and chronic disease!
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Couldn’t agree more!
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Good advice. Not comes the application lol
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Lol
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Been to busy to gym for the last two weeks, looks like I’ll have to really find the time!
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Think of the benefits and you’ll find time, lol x
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I was a college athlete. I got hurt and was forced to retire. I have definitely seen all of these come in to my life. It’s hard when you aren’t physically capable of stopping it.
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Sorry to hear that Lance. And yes it’s hard when you can’t control the situation coz of other factors like physical being. Just wondering if there’re other exercises you can do?. Totally understand it’s tough.
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Nice post! plus working out is good for the mood! :))
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True that!
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Awesome reasons! 🙂
I love working out. And I usually do it first thing in the morning. It makes me feel great and full of energy all day.
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Great Cristina! Morning workouts work wonders for me too – unfortunately i couldn’t work out first thing in the morning now as I have a little one and start my work very early while she’s asleep. But when I worked in the office, I was like you, start the day with a workout and be full of energy.
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such a good read, i completely agree with all these points definitely happens to me when I don’t exercise for a few days
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Thanks for stopping by Jessica
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All this is so true. As soon as y foot heals (It’s broken) I want to get back on track. great advice.
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Hope it heals soon Victoria! You don’t realise how much you miss exercise till something happens to your body ey! Everytime i’ve broken/injured something, I’ve missed exercise more than ever!
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Thanks for the post recently got back to working out after a break, needed the motivation indeed!
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Glad to hear you’re back to it Sushmita. yes sometimes we need motivation, sometimes it’s simply thinking of the downsides to our health that pushes us.
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Yes dear, you are right about it 😀
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My life has changed so much since I started working out. And it’s really for all of the reasons you listed here. Keeps me motivated to keep working out! Great article!
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Glad to hear!! xx
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Great tips. It gets harder and harder as you get older, but so important.
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Oh yeah! Although I manage, I can find it challenging with 1 child. I can only imagine later, lol
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Great reasons to stay consistent with an exercise routine. I will definitely come back and read this again to motivate myself to continue.
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Yes I agree, exercise is capable of giving you many benefits. It is interesting how problems can occur if you stop exercising. I have also wrote a post on how exercise effects your brain. Please read it if you are interested.
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