The Fab Four to Fitness

You’ve heard it lots of times, “don’t be a couch potato... get up and exercise!” But what is all the hype about and why is exercise so important? Read on for the scoop.
Have you ever watched a hamster in a cage running on a wheel? Why do they spend so much time doing that every single night, even though they never really go anywhere? Turns out our furry friends have an inside secret: exercise is necessary to keep our bodies healthy and our minds happy!

THERE ARE FOUR MAIN BENEFITS OF EXERCISE:

A Top-Shape Ticker
Your heart is your body’s main muscle and works
hard to pump blood and deliver oxygen to all the
parts of your body. When you run, swim, ski, ride
a bike, jump rope or play hopscotch, your heart rate
increases and you may notice you’re breathing faster
and even sweating. This is called aerobic exercise
and is just what your heart needs to keep healthy.

Strong Muscles
Another kind of exercise is called strength training.
When you do push ups, climb a tree or even help
your mom carry the groceries, you’re working your
muscles and making them stronger. Strong muscles
help build strong bones and make you leaner.

Better Flexibility
Can you cross your legs while sitting and bend
like a pretzel? Probably so, since most kids are
pretty flexible. Being flexible means you can move
your arms and legs freely without feeling pain or
tightness. Stretching is not only good for your
muscles, it can feel really good too, like when you stretch
and yawn when waking from a long night’s sleep.

A Better Mood
When you exercise, something special happens
inside your body. Your brain releases a chemical
called endorphins that make you
feel great. Exercise not only makes you look better,
it can even make you feel better about yourself.