Reasons to prioritize exercise and nutrition
Both exercise and nutrition play vital roles in overall health and wellbeing. Building strategies to eat nutritiously and exercise regularly can bring a host of benefits. Let’s take a closer look at the importance of exercise and nutrition for health.
Exercise for health
Exercise is essential to maintaining a healthy body and brain. It helps provide the following benefits:
- Improved cardiovascular health
- Better respiratory efficiency and lung capacity
- Easier weight management
- Muscle growth and maintenance, particularly if you lift weights regularly
- Improved bone density, even into older age
- Better sleep
- Improved self-esteem and better mood
Nutrition for health
Nutrition is the foundation of health. It provides the body with essential nutrients for growth, maintenance and repair. It also provides the energy required for regular and effective exercise.
Proper nutrition provides the following benefits:
- Reduced risk of disease
- Lower risk of nutrient deficiencies and associated complications
- Easier weight management
- Production of energy for daily activities and exercise
- Better metabolic health and reduced risk of chronic metabolic health conditions like type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome
- Supporting muscle growth, enzyme activity, and tissue repair (specifically when you consume enough dietary protein)
- Improved gut health
- Better appearance and function of the skin
- Better immune function