Health Tip of the Month

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If Barack can find the time to
exercise, you can, too

Barack Obama may be the busiest man on earth – facing issues of a failing economy, the housing crisis and global warming, to name a few. But the new President of the United States always makes time for his exercise routine.

If the leader of the free world can do it, surely the average citizen can, too. Olawale Ayeni,MD, a family practitioner on the BackusMedical Staff with an office in Colchester, said once the benefits of regular exercise are understood, its easy to see why a president would want to make time for a regular exercise routine.

“There are a lot of tangible benefits to exercise that can be seen with the naked eye,” Dr. Ayeni said “And there are a lot of benefits that are on the microscopic level.”

Exercise does far more than help a person lose weight, Dr, Ayeni said. Proven benefits of exercise include:

  • Improvesmood and your sense of  well-being. It is a common treatment for depression.
  • Helps relieve stress and anxiety.
  • Helps you sleep better. Regular exercisers feel more refreshed when they wake.
  • Increases energy and endurance.
  • Reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, diabetes and obesity.
  • Increases metabolism, helping you to maintain a healthy weight.
  • Strengthens muscles and bones and keeps joints, tendons and ligaments flexible, which makes it easier to move around.

President Obama maintained a regular exercise routine while on the campaign trail. After winning the election he had to make some adjustments - giving up his regular walks for security purposes - but continues to work out almost daily. The President's commitment may have a positive effect on the nation's health. Ayeni said.

Anthony Alessi,MD, Chief of Neurology at Backus with expertise in sports medicine, said Obama understands that by exercising regularly he is actually investing in himself.

“Your exercise routine should be like any other appointment on your schedule,” Dr. Alessi said. “There are studies that show you can improve your efficiency by exercising.”