Is consistent exercise a part of your job search?

One of the best ways to battle discouragement in a job search is to exercise consistently.   I work at Fort Detrick and the Director of Physical Training for the 1200 active  soldiers on base who have as a part of their "job description" staying in shape (hummmmmm, I wonder why more organizations don't have this as part of employee job descriptions...) said that studies have shown that being "active" 30 minutes a day is the best thing that can be done for long term health.  He went on to say that the most effective way to accomplish this is not by joining a health club and beginning a rigorous workout routine 3 times per week...but rather just to get up out of your chair (and your sedentary life style) and take a 30 minute walk every day.   Studies show that the benefit from a brisk walk 30 minutes a day are huge not only physically but mentally as it will positively effect your outlook on life. From another angle, I have found  "Walk and Pray" effective...or in my case in this season, "Ride (a bike) and Pray".... one of the best ways I can spend a segment of my day.   "Walking and Praying" 30 minutes a day allows you to steward your physical body while:- giving thanks to the Lord for provision of another day, -casting  your cares on him because he cares for you - petitioning him for your daily bread (needs)- interceding for the needs of others  If you own an MP3 player or any kind of portable music player you can also "make your soul happy in the Lord * "__________________________  (*Note: famous quote of Hudson Taylor's describing his objective each day when he spent time with the Lord) _________________________ by adding even more "soul delighting" content to your walk listening to:- worship songs, - recorded messages or - audio recordings of the Bible which if one by an expressive reader can bring passages alive with emotion, especially books like the Psalms .
So I suggest that if you find yourself sitting through most of your day with little or no physical activity....schedule into your day a slot to take a 30 minute walk.  You can even do this with your spouse to promote praying together as a couple.  Begin TODAY to partner with God, empowered by the Holy Spirit...it might take this kind of power to pull this off  :)  ......to steward the body God has given you for his glory and your best good in long term service of him on earth.  The following are two posts that reinforce the benefits of consistent exercise.  One post is from the Mayo Clinic Staff "7 Benefits of Regular Physical Activity" followed by "Top Twenty Benefits of Exercise" by Greg Landry who give diet and exercise advice at http://www.freeweightloss.com/article12.html

Exercise: 7 benefits of regular physical activity

 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/exercise/HQ01676 

By Mayo Clinic staff

Want to feel better, have more energy and perhaps even live longer? Look no further than exercise. The health benefits of regular exercise and physical activity are hard to ignore. And the benefits of exercise are yours for the taking, regardless of your age, sex or physical ability. Need more convincing to exercise? Check out these seven ways exercise can improve your life.

No. 1: Exercise controls weight

Exercise can help prevent excess weight gain or help maintain weight loss. When you engage in physical activity, you burn calories. The more intense the activity, the more calories you burn. You don't need to set aside large chunks of time for exercise to reap weight-loss benefits. If you can't do an actual workout, get more active throughout the day in simple ways — by taking the stairs instead of the elevator or revving up your household chores. 

No. 2: Exercise combats health conditions and diseases

Worried about heart disease? Hoping to prevent high blood pressure? No matter what your current weight, being active boosts high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good," cholesterol and decreases unhealthy triglycerides. This one-two punch keeps your blood flowing smoothly, which decreases your risk of cardiovascular diseases. In fact, regular physical activity can help you prevent or manage a wide range of health problems and concerns, including stroke, metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, depression, certain types of cancer, arthritis and falls.

No. 3: Exercise improves mood

Need an emotional lift? Or need to blow off some steam after a stressful day? A workout at the gym or a brisk 30-minute walk can help. Physical activity stimulates various brain chemicals that may leave you feeling happier and more relaxed. You may also feel better about your appearance and yourself when you exercise regularly, which can boost your confidence and improve your self-esteem.

No. 4: Exercise boosts energy

Winded by grocery shopping or household chores? Regular physical activity can improve your muscle strength and boost your endurance. Exercise and physical activity deliver oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and help your cardiovascular system work more efficiently. And when your heart and lungs work more efficiently, you have more energy to go about your daily chores. 

No. 5: Exercise promotes better sleep

Struggling to fall asleep? Or to stay asleep? Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and deepen your sleep. Just don't exercise too close to bedtime, or you may be too energized to fall asleep.

No. 6: Exercise puts the spark back into your sex life

Do you feel too tired or too out of shape to enjoy physical intimacy? Regular physical activity can leave you feeling energized and looking better, which may have a positive effect on your sex life. But there's more to it than that. Regular physical activity can lead to enhanced arousal for women. And men who exercise regularly are less likely to have problems with erectile dysfunction than are men who don't exercise.

No. 7: Exercise can be fun

Exercise and physical activity can be a fun way to spend some time. It gives you a chance to unwind, enjoy the outdoors or simply engage in activities that make you happy. Physical activity can also help you connect with family or friends in a fun social setting. So, take a dance class, hit the hiking trails or join a soccer team. Find a physical activity you enjoy, and just do it. If you get bored, try something new.

The bottom line on exercise

Exercise and physical activity are a great way to feel better, gain health benefits and have fun. As a general goal, aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day. If you want to lose weight or meet specific fitness goals, you may need to exercise more. Remember to check with your doctor before starting a new exercise program, especially if you have any health concerns.

 

Top 20 Benefits of Exercise

http://www.freeweightloss.com/article12.html

1. Elevates your metabolism so that you burn more calories everyday.

2. Increases your aerobic capacity (fitness level). This gives you the ability to go through your day with less relative energy expenditure. This enables a "fit" person to have more energy at the end of the day and to get more accomplished during the day with less fatigue.

3. Maintains, tones, and strengthens your muscle. Exercise also increases your muscular endurance.

4. Decreases your blood pressure.

5. Increases the oxidation (breakdown and use) of fat.

6. Increases HDL (good) cholesterol.

7. Makes the heart a more efficient pump by increasing stroke volume.

8. Increases hemoglobin concentration in your blood. Hemoglobin is part of the red blood cell that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.

9. Decreases the tendency of the blood to clot in the blood vessels. This is important because small clots traveling in the blood are often the cause of heart attacks and strokes.

10. Increases the strength of the bones.

11. Causes the development of new blood vessels in the heart and other muscles.

12. Enlarges the arteries that supply blood to the heart.

13. Decreases blood levels of triglycerides (fat).

14. Improves control of blood sugar.

15. Improves sleep patterns.

16. Increases the efficiency of the digestive system which may reduce the incidence of colon cancer.

17. Increases the thickness of cartilage in joints which has a protective effect on the joints.

18. Decreases a woman's risk of developing endometriosis by 50%.

19. Increases the amount of blood that flows to the skin making it look and feel healthier.

20. Exercise, in addition to all the physiological and anatomical benefits, just makes you feel GREAT!

Author and exercise Physiologist, Greg Landry, offers free weight loss success stories and articles, and unique weight loss programs at his site.. http://www.greglandryfitness.com
Thank You Greg Landry!