Exercise Enhances Your Vegan Life

Exercise works in partnership with a vegan diet to improve and maintain health. Exercise assures that the foods and nutrients consumed in a vegan diet are digested and assimilated better. Through movement and activity, the body is strengthened, toned and energized. The all important nutrient, oxygen, is made more readily available to sustain, protect and revitalize the body. Understanding the dynamics of how diet couples with exercise to improve health, serves to give that needed inspiration to accomplish the worthwhile work which is required.

“The vegan diet works to bring relief to our systems with food choices that are lighter to digest, more nutrient rich and more easily assimilated. Exercise assist in providing extra relief and support, by strengthening and stimulating the digestive system… Regular cardiovascular exercise helps to strengthen the muscles of the abdomen and reduces sluggishness by stimulating the intestinal muscles to push digestive contents through your system.”Gesa.org

Much emphasis is placed on heart healthy foods to reduce cholesterol, clear the arteries and stabilize our blood pressure. Exercise is great for the heart as well, as it is the most important muscle we have. Through exercise, the heart muscle is conditioned and strengthened and our circulation is improved.

“Exercise lowers blood pressure, somewhat decreases the levels of total and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the bad cholesterol), and increases the level of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the good cholesterol) These beneficial effects in turn decrease the risk of heart attack, stroke, and coronary artery disease. In addition, colon cancer and some forms of diabetes are less likely to occur in people who exercise regularly.” Merck

Weight bearing exercises work along with our intake of calcium, magnesium and other supportive minerals and vitamins, to strengthen our bones. Exercise is recognized as the most important factor for strengthening bones and for preventing and reversing osteoporosis. It is actually quite an exciting process, wherein, “bone develops its greatest strength along the lines of greatest stress and strain.” Therefore, exercise causes building activity within the bone and the lack of exercise causes diminishing of the bone. Activity and exercise help guarantee a strong skeletal structure, and by doing so, help improve our posture and balance.

One dynamic aspect of exercise is the increased intake of oxygen it provides to the body. Oxygen is our number one essential nutrient and is needed for all the body functions. When oxygen is abundant in the body, bacteria and viruses cannot proliferate. Much like the bone activity, it is a use it or lose it scenario.

“The more an individual exercises, utilizing increased respiration, the more efficient the diffusing capacity will become. During rest or slight activity, only a small portion of the lung is used, resulting in a significant portion becoming dormant. The same holds true for the circulatory system where a significant number of blood vessels are not utilized. This disuse will lead to a decrease in the ability of the system to provide the necessary oxygen for the tissues, even during the slightest degree of activity.”

Regular and consistent exercise oxygenates and energizes us from the core; our cells and tissues.

Consistency is the key for securing improved health through exercise. Just as we maintain our vegan diet, and do not return to eating meat, we must likewise maintain a consistent exercise program, which becomes our lifestyle. Embrace the work and enjoy the movement. Include activities you enjoy, such as swimming, dancing, and yoga. Both body and spirit are uplifted by exercise and the endorphins it releases into our systems’. Much like we weaned ourselves off of meat and began to slowly incorporate more fresh foods into our diet, we ease into an exercise regime that is comfortable, yet challenges us; and as we notice the improvements to our health, we are inspired to move forward. Overly strenuous exercise is not required for improved health. Continuity and consistency are the keys and they cannot be overemphasized.

“The benefits of exercise diminish within months after a person stops exercising. Heart strength, muscle strength, and the level of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (the good cholesterol) decrease, whereas blood pressure and body fat increase. Even former athletes who stop exercising do not retain measurable long-term benefits.” Merck

Health is such a valuable treasure in our lives’. It is more than worthwhile to make what seem to be sacrifices, in order to better enjoy the gift of life; and to enjoy our families, friends and career success. By diligently nurturing a vegan diet and a consistent exercise regime, we empower the dynamic duo for health.