Want more tips and tricks for reaching your health goals? Join Lark!

Take our 2-minute survey to find out if you’re eligible to join Lark which includes a smart scale and the chance to earn a Fitbit®.
Start now
*Terms and conditions apply
Close icon
< Back to Resource Center
< Back to Member Blog

Why Do You Exercise?

Natalie
Stein
March 16, 2020
Why Do You Exercise? - Lark Health
Lark

Are you at risk of prediabetes?

Lark can help lower your risk for Type 2 Diabetes through healthy habit formation, and data tracking.
Height: 5 ft 4 in
4' 0"
7' 0"
Weight: 160 lbs
90 lbs
500 lbs
LOW RISK
Risk Level
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

Build healthy habits
from your phone

I need to be active. Most people know this on some level. You may know it intuitively, or your doctor may have told you so. If you have been in Lark DPP for a while, you may have been striving for weeks or months to hit the 150-minute-per-week goal for physical activity.

But...why is it so important to exercise? Do you know or remember why you wanted to get active in the first place, or why you want to continue to get moving most days now? Or do you just know that you should? It matters. Remembering your reasons for exercising, or identifying them for the first time if you have never thought specifically about the why, can help motivate you to get moving more often.

It is worth taking the time to think about your reasons for getting active. These are some of the common reasons that may be your reasons, too!

Reason: Blood Sugar

Chart for blood sugar

Do you have prediabetes or high risk for type 2 diabetes? There is a reason why Lark DPP encourages you to hit at least 150 minutes per week of activity. It works. Weight loss aside, achieving that goal can lower risk for diabetes by over 40% compared to the risk among more sedentary folks.

Exercise lowers blood sugar right at the source. While prediabetes is a condition with insulin resistance leading to high blood sugar, exercise decreases insulin resistance or increases insulin sensitivity. The result is lower blood sugar.

For extra motivation, know this: the insulin sensitivity-increasing benefits of activity last up to 24 hours. After that, it may be time to get active again.

Reason: Weight Loss

Ten Habits for Weight Loss

Eating affects weight loss as much as, if not more than, exercise does. Still, physical activity can assist in weight loss and, especially, in preventing weight regain. This is how it can help.

  • Burning calories while you exercise, such as about 300 calories per hour for brisk walking
  • Increasing metabolism the rest of the day as you build muscles, which burn calories even while you are resting

Exercise can also help keep you aware of what you are eating and remind you throughout the day that you have committed yourself to eating healthily.

Reason: Health

Heart Health

Exercise is so good for so many health conditions that can be challenging to name some that it does not help prevent or manage. These are a few conditions that physical activity can prevent or improve.

  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Stroke
  • High cholesterol and triglycerides
  • Osteoporosis, or low bone density and risk of fractures
  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Certain types of cancer

Chronic conditions can seem far off sometimes, but they may feel more personal because prediabetes increases the risk for many of the ones on the above list. It can also hit home if you have a family member who has or had any of those conditions. 

Reason: Brainpower

Get Back on Track

Do you want a raise at work? Then get active! That is right! Work out your muscles, strengthen your brain! People tend to be more productive and think more clearly after exercising. Studies have even suggested that cognitive abilities improve after exercising. 

There are probably many reasons why exercise boost brain-power. It may be partly due to increased blood flow to the brain during exercise, and possibly the result of hormonal changes. In addition, exercise can spur production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which assists with learning.

Reason: Happiness

Friends

Some exercise can make you happy. A lot of exercise may lead to an even happier state called "runner's high." You may notice that you feel happier and generally "better" when you exercise compared to when you do not. 

Natural happy chemicals called endorphins are largely responsible for these feelings of well-being, but there are other possibilities, too. You may feel proud of yourself for exercising or more confident in your abilities. You may even be happy from having a good time if you have chosen something you like, and/or if it has been a social experience with friends.

Reason: Quality of Life

Improving Your Sleep With Behavioral Strategies

Do you want to sleep better at night, have more energy during the day, and get through daily tasks more easily? Exercise may be the answer. Regular exercise may help you sleep better at night, while keeping you more alert during the day. Plus, better cardiovascular fitness and improved strength may make tasks such as climbing stairs and carrying groceries easier.

Remembering your reasons for exercising can keep you motivated to make it easier to get out there and get active most days. Taking a few minutes, every so often, to identify your reasons and see if they have changed can refuel your motivation and let you refocus your goals. Lark DPP can help with motivation and reminders as you stay active for health and fitness.

About Lark

Lark helps you eat better, move more, stress less, and improve your overall wellness. Lark’s digital coach is available 24/7 on your smartphone to give you personalized tips, recommendations, and motivation to lose weight and prevent chronic conditions like diabetes.

Read more

Get healthier with Lark & earn a Fitbit®

Lose weight, get more active, and eat better.
take 1-minute survey

Similar posts

healthy meal optionhealthy meal option

10 Fast Food Breakfasts That Can Fit into Your Weight Loss Plan

More than 1 in 5 adults eat fast food for breakfast on a given day.

Learn more
Green beans with feta cheese and pine nutsGreen beans with feta cheese and pine nuts

Healthy Late-Night Snacks for Weight Loss

People say eating at night can lead to weight gain, but what if you’re hungry? Here are some tips to keep evening snacks healthy so you can go to bed without being hungry.

Learn more
Printable Meal Plan for Weight Loss with Fiber and Whole GrainsPrintable Meal Plan for Weight Loss with Fiber and Whole Grains

Printable Meal Plan for Weight Loss with Fiber and Whole Grains

Healthy eating for weight loss can be simple and tasty. This is a simple meal plan full of whole grains and fiber so you can manage hunger and get more nutrients. Most of the meals take only a few min

Learn more