The aim of this article is to show just what a range of benefits that you can achieve by losing weight and improving your overall fitness. By consistently following a program of sound nutrition and exercises you will reach your goals but don’t expect it to happen overnight.

The first thing you need to do is to stop listening to or buying into the multitude of diet scams that are around these days. Reality is that you are not going to lose weight or get fit with no effort. Permanent weight loss and fitness requires effort and commitment but the end result is worth it.

There is no other way around it…you have to eat properly and you do have to exercise.

Okay…let’s look at some of the benefits of exercise.

1. Losing body fat

If you diet without any exercise, you lose some fat but you are also losing lean muscle. Restricting calories actually slows down your metabolism causing you to gain weight as soon as you increase those calories again. Combining an exercise program with your dieting helps to maximize fat loss while minimizing lean muscle loss.

2. Maintaining a healthy body weight

A good routine of healthy eating and exercise keeps your weight stable so that you don’t have to turn to dangerous fad diets all the time. These scams may work for a very short time but you will put the weight on again just as quickly. If you make healthy eating choices and exercise a part of your life, a stable weight will be normal for you.

3. Faster metabolism

How many times have you heard someone use the excuse of a slow metabolism? I must admit that I’ve used it myself. Well, it’s a myth. Our metabolism slows down due to our own unhealthy choices not the other way around.

Calorie restrictive diets create havoc with the metabolism whereas an effective nutrition and exercise plan can definitely speed up your metabolism, allowing it to burn off those excess kilos.

4. More sustained endurance and muscular strength

You don’t need to be a bodybuilder or an elite sportsperson to benefit from increased strength and endurance. Whatever you do, it allows you to perform more efficiently. Some women are concerned that increased muscular strength means huge, bulky biceps and so forth but that isn’t what you need to become.

5. Better cardio respiratory function

A properly designed exercise program can improve your endurance in a short time. As the cardio respiratory system responds positively to exercise, you will find you can climb the stairs without any trouble.

6. More strength in the bones, ligaments, and tendons

Weight bearing exercises and a sensible regimen of resistance training will not only strengthen the muscles but will benefit the entire skeletal system and connective tissues, greatly reducing risk of injury.

7. Greater muscle mass

An increase in muscle mass equals an increase in the number of calories burned throughout the day, meaning a faster metabolism. It also makes you more physically attractive.

8. Lower blood pressure

High blood pressure can lead to strokes or heart attacks. While medication can help, lifestyle changes in diet and exercise are the vital elements in blood pressure control.

9. Lower cholesterol

Cholesterol is necessary for some of our bodily functions but many people have led a lifestyle that has left them with a dangerously high level of cholesterol. This can lead to cardiovascular disease, particularly if you are also overweight or obese. Losing fat through nutrition and exercise is the key to the overall improvement in cholesterol levels.

10. Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes

In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin to maintain the bodys blood glucose levels. Maintaining a healthy weight and leading an active lifestyle decrease the risk of this disease.

11. Lower risk of osteoporosis

This condition is a very painful disease characterized by decreased bone mass as well as ‘chalky’ bones. Because they are so fragile, fractures can occur from something as simple as bumping into something. Resistance training and weight bearing exercises can assist in increasing bone density.

12. Higher self-esteem

Participating in structured exercise leads to an improvement in appearance. This makes you feel good about yourself and you find an increase in energy, vitality, and confidence.

So, as you can see, the benefits to your overall health are numerous and too important to leave to chance. As the saying goes, "use it or lose it" and this is very applicable to the use of your muscles and your body in general.

Anne has worked primarily within health and welfare for around 35 years. She has always loved to write and has a wide range of interests. She is the owner of http://www.ozehealthbiz.com and http://www.ourkidzbiz.com