Basic Pursuits

My man, Gaines Adams, is a defensive lineman drafted in the first round by Tampa Bay last year. He had an ok first year, and knows he can do better. According to this article from the St. Pete Times, he's put better eating at the top of his ways-to-improve list.

"It's about staying disciplined and trying to eat the right things," Adams said. "It's okay to splurge a little bit. But you have to stay focused."

It reminded me of the undeniable fact that people will not accept. Exercising to lose weight is almost always a lost cause. How much more exercise can you do as a first string NFL defensive lineman? Yet Adams was a bit pudgy at the end of his first year. It was because of what he ate.

Look at the offensive linemen, many with bellies hanging over their belts.

Look at sumo wrestlers.

These guys get more exercise in a day than most people get in a month. Yet they are fat.

It's in the eat. It's because of what they eat.

Feel good
The main reason that people exercise is that it makes them feel better. Just ask anyone with a long term exercise habit why they exercise. A huge majority will answer in some version of, "Oh, I just feel better."

Why does exercise make people feel better? Here's a partial list of reasons:

• Improves physical appearance
• Increases muscular strength and endurance
• Increases stamina
• Increases energy levels
• Improves fitness levels, or your body's ability to use oxygen
• Provides protection against injury
• Improves balance and coordination
• Increases bone mineral density
• Lowers resting heart rate and blood pressure
• Reduces triglycerides and bad cholesterol
• Enhances sexual desire and performance
• Reduces heart disease risk and stroke
• Reduces the risk of developing certain types of cancer
• Increases insulin sensitivity, prevents type 2 diabetes
• Reduces anxiety and helps manage stress
• Improves function of the immune system
• Improves self-esteem and confidence
• Helps you sleep better
• Improves mood

Or course exercise can have a very beneficial effect on weight, but many people can and do out-eat that benefit.

If you want to lose weight, change your eating habits.

And exercise, because it makes you feel really good!

21 Powerful Scientifically Proven Reasons To Exercise

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