May is National Fitness and Sport Month

May is National Fitness and Sport Month, and dietitians can support your active lifestyle with one-on-one nutrition coaching, group nutrition tours, and our best foods, products and nutrition solutions to get the most out of your way. of your exercise routine.

The top five reasons to increase your physical activity:

It can improve your mood. Regular physical activity has been shown to make you happier and decrease feelings of depression, anxiety and stress. Research has shown that exercise produces changes in areas of the brain that regulate stress and anxiety while making the brain more sensitive to “feel-good” hormones like serotonin and norepinephrine.

It helps build and maintain lean muscles. Resistance training stimulates muscle building, especially when paired with adequate protein intake. This signals the body to build lean muscle mass and reduce muscle breakdown. As we age, we tend to lose lean muscle mass and function, which can lead to injury and disability. This is where some form of resistance training is essential for reducing muscle loss and maintaining strength as you age.

It is crucial for bone health. Exercise helps build our bone density and helps prevent osteoporosis throughout life.

It helps relaxation and quality of sleep. Regular physical activity, whether aerobic or resistance training, can help you sleep better and feel more energetic during the day. In addition, the energy depletion that occurs during exercise stimulates the recovery and repair processes during sleep.

It reduces your risk of chronic disease. Regular activity promotes cardiovascular health, body composition, insulin sensitivity, blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which overall reduce the risk of leading causes of death like heart disease and diabetes.

The information is not intended as medical advice. Please consult a healthcare practitioner for personalized advice. Have a question for your Hy-Vee dietitian? Contact Jenn at jblaser@hy-vee.com or call her at 515.695.3795. Your question will be answered and can be presented with your permission.