From the June 2010 Healthy Woman publication 
Next time you’re tempted to trade your gym shoes for the couch and remote, consider these three amazing (and true) benefits of exercise:
1. A bigger (and better) brain
People who exercise score better on memory tests. Exercise targets a region of the brain within the hippocampus, which is associated with normal age-related memory decline. “Exercise has many beneficial effects on the body in general and the brain specifically,” according to Richard Strawsburg, MD, a neurologist with Associates in Neurology, PC. “Studies have shown that aerobic fitness in older adults tends to improve executive functioning, which is the ability to solve problems and execute plans. Studies have also shown that there is less brain atrophy in people who are physically fit.” Strawsburg recommends regular exercise (30 minutes every other day) to patients who are physically able. “An added benefit is that patients who exercise have better regulated sleep, more energy and report that they feel better overall.”
2. A healthier heart
“Exercise helps your heart on many levels,” said Patty Neely, RN, supervisor of Porter’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Department. “The heart is a muscle similar to the large muscles in your body. When you work out – using weights or resistance – your muscles become stronger and more efficient. The same is true for your heart. Aerobic exercise, such as walking, biking, running, swimming, and dancing all strengthen your heart muscle so it can do more work with less effort,” she said. Neely has seen many patients begin with difficulty walking and breathing at the same time. After six to eight weeks of regular exercise (at least three days per week), these same patients can perform more activities without fatigue or shortness of breath. Neely warns that heart disease kills more women than breast cancer and lung cancer combined. “Yet, one of the easiest ways to help your heart is to exercise regularly. It doesn’t take a lot of time. It can be fun AND it doesn’t have to cost a dime!” she said. Porter’s Cardiac Rehab Department can help you begin with a monitored fitness evaluation. Call 219.263.4629 for more information.
3. A happier mood 
Most people leave the gym happier than when they arrived as exercise can change neurotransmitter levels in the brain, like serotonin. In fact, many scientists think that exercise has the same biological effect on the brain as antidepressant drugs. “When we exercise, we release neurotransmitters and endorphins which give us a general feeling of well being. One study has shown that the post-exercise glow lasts up to 12 hours,” said Subha Elango, MD, a family practitioner with Lake Porter Medical Group. “Exercise helps improve both the physical and psychological quality of life and I’ve seen positive results in actual patients. I had an obese, depressed patient who agreed to incorporate exercise into her lifestyle. In the first few weeks, although she did not notice any weight loss, her mood improved and she felt motivated to make more positive changes in her life. I have seen similar positive results with patients in cardiac rehab.”