Exercise...Is it really that important?

Exercise... Is it really that important?

Exercise in Japanese is 運動・(Undo=Oon Dough)  

I just returned from a health event in Osaka where I was one of the speakers and trainers for the day... It was a great event and fun to watch how active and focused everyone was. 

Japan is famous for its Guinness-worthy lifespan of women avg. 86 and men avg. 79 but as I talked to many of the participants after my seminar I came to the realization that the Japanese are starting to get rounder... Round is a shape but not the shape we want to be in... 

The amount of obesity in Japan (3.2% obesity) of course is still minuscule compared to the USA (30.6% obese) and other countries but I was very surprised that I could actually see the difference from the year before.  After my seminar many people came up to shake my hand and a number offered me their vast experience on  exercise programs that they themselves swear by and as I listened to their philosophies I couldn't help but think that it appeared to me that the exercise programs that they swear by were not working...  And this is coming from a country that walks and bicycles a lot everyday for commuting to work etc...  So if Japan, a country that seems very active is getting rounder what does the future hold for the rest of the world that isn't very active?   


Overweight is defined as weight  in excess of what is  considered normal, proper, or healthy with some risk of health problems.  

Obesity is defined as the condition of being very fat or very overweight; with high  risk for major health problems...

So even being overweight can have some health risks... There are many things you can do to help yourself from being overweight and exercise is a big part.  

Exercise is any physical activity that is planned, structured, and repetitive with the purpose  of conditioning any part of the body. Exercise will help you to improve health, maintain fitness and is important as a means of physical rehabilitation. 

I repeat...  

Exercise is a planned, structured, repetitive physical activity with a purpose...  

How many people do you know that have gym membership but never lose weight... Chances are they have good intentions but no planned, probably weakly structured and making the time to go once a month is definitely not repetitive... So do you exercise with purpose... that doesn't mean you don't have a goal... it means do you exercise with a the mindset to achieve that goal?   

20 reasons why you should exercise...

(not listed in order of importance... they are all important)    

1   Exercise makes you feel good...NO... makes you feel great!!!   

2   Elevates your metabolism= burn more calories... 

3   Stronger muscles, tones... muscular endurance... 

4   Raises fitness level... 

5   Lower blood pressure...

6   Breakdown of more fat...

7   Stronger Heart= Stronger pump...  

8   Stronger bones.... 

9   Produces more HDL(the good cholesterol)... 

10  New blood vessels in the heart and other muscles... 

11  Larger veins and arteries to and from the heart...

12  Lower risk of blood clotting in blood vessels...  

13  Better digestion...  

14  Better control of blood sugar...

15  Better sleep... 

16  Thicker cartilage in joints...  

17  Higher hemoglobin concentration=more oxygen to the lungs...

18  Lower triglycerides (fats) ...

19  Decrease in risks associated with aging... 

20  Better blood flow to skin= feel and look healthier... 

Let's add one more... 

21  Exercise keeps you around longer so you can see your children and       

     grandchildren grow up... 

There are many more reasons why you should exercise but that should be enough to show you how important exercise is... Remember exercise is one of the things you can control when it comes to the aging process...  

When people found out that Paul Ryan ( the man who could become the next vice president of the Unites States) was on a particular exercise program.. many people immediately went to a sporting goods store or online to buy the same exercise DVDs... People are funny...   

Will it work for you like it did for Paul?  

The sad truth is the most of you will give it up after a few days or so...   You need to get in the habit or exercising and you need to get into the right mindset... If you can do that... then your chances of getting into the shape you desire greatly increases with any program you choose to use...  

If you are going to buy a DVD program online... do some research and consult with your doctor before going full bore into a new exercise program...   

Speaking of mindset... In the next issue,  I discuss how you can lose weight and get the body you want by using your brain...   In later issues, I will discuss how to eat...not diet but how to eat and what your body is scientifically doing with the food (energy) that you consume...     

To Your Bari Bari Health, 

Robert Scott

Exercise and Sport Sciences/ Sport Psychology Specialist. 

University Professor at University in Osaka, Japan

Teaches  Sport Philosophy, Psychology, Pedagogy and Physiology

(Master/ＰｈＤ．courses) 

Ex-Professional Athlete-- 

Motivational Speaker and Trainer to  Professional Athletes and the Masses 

Please click the comment button below  and tell me what you are interesting in concerning health...Physical, Mental, Psychological... etc... Also, comments about the site as it grows...  Please come again... Thank you for your time :) 

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