Beyond Weight Loss: Why Should Women Exercise?

Many women believe that workout is all about losing weight and staying in shape.But the fact is that exercising is about more than just toning up – it can actually improve your entirewell-being.

Believe it or not, a regular workout can boost your immunity, make your skin glow, improve your mental health, reduce cancer risk, and more.

Let’s take some time to explore some of the other benefits of exercise that go far beyond just losing weight. 

Stabilizing Mood Swings

From a very early age, women deal with the fluctuation of estrogen and progesterone that affects both their reproductive patterns as well as their mood. A low estrogen level can also impact the “feel good” brain chemical called serotonin which causes women to be more prone to depression andanxiety.

Physical activities such as jogging or weight lifting can help to stabilize hormonally driven mood swings by increasing theproduction of the happiness hormone called endorphins that leaves you feeling more relaxed and happy.  

Increasing bone density

Women are more at risk of developing osteoporosis and fracture not only because they have smaller and thinner bones, but also because hormonal changes at menopause directly affectbone density – falling estrogen levels at the onset of menopause can lead to rapidly decreasing bone density.

Resistance training strengthens the bones very much like how it strengthens the muscles – by forcing them to react to the force that is placed upon them. When you exercise, your bone adapts by building more bone thereby becoming denser.

Exercises such as weightlifting, step aerobics, dancing, hiking and jogging help to strengthen your bones by increasing bone mass and subsequently reducing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

Keeping Your Skin Healthy

This may surprise some people but it has been proven that exercise also comes with beauty benefits. As we all know, physical activities make your heart pump faster which delivers more blood, nutrient, and oxygen to all body cells, including your skin. 

Exercise also increases the production of sweat which can flush out oil, bacteria, and dirt, further adding to the health of your skin. 

This is why you usually develop both a clear complexion and radiant glow after your exercise!

Improving Sleep

According to one study, 9 out of 10 Malaysians suffer from sleep problems. This is likely to be worse for women due to hormonal fluctuations, high-stress levels, night sweats during perimenopause, and the responsibilities of motherhood. 

The good news, however, is that exercise is a scientifically proven method of improving sleep by reducing stress levels which cause you to be more relaxed and increasethe sleep driveby tiring out your body, both of which make it easier for you to fall into sleep.

Exercises like aerobics, cardio, resistance training, and yoga are highly recommended for improving sleep. 

Preventing the Risk of Breast Cancer

Many studies have shown that an increase in physical activity is linked to a lower risk of breast cancer. How exercising lowers breast cancer risk is not fully understood but it is thought to be related to hormone regulation such as estrogen and insulin,which can be responsible for breast cancer growth.

Moreover, regular exercise also helps maintain a healthy weight which keeps the immune system healthy in order to combat cancer cells.  

So there are many benefits of exercise that go far beyond just losing weight. If you would like to find out more just get in touch and we will be more than happy to help you get started.  

At Life n Fitness, we provide specialized fitness programs and classes for women of all ages in an enjoyable and safe space. So don’t worry if you are new to the world of exercise – our friendly and experienced trainers will be here to guide you and to make you feel right at home. Just get in touch now and let us be a part of your fitness journey!