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Medical Author:

Richard Weil, MEd, CDE

Richard Weil, MEd, CDE

Richard Weil, MEd, CDE, is an exercise physiologist and Certified Diabetes Educator, and is director of the New York Obesity Research Center Weight Loss Program at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital Center in

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Benefits of Regular Aerobic Exercise

You will accrue many health and fitness benefits if you perform regular aerobic exercise. Here's a partial list:

• Burns calories (see below for calorie expenditure of different activities)



• Improves endurance



• Reduces the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes



• Lowers moderately high blood pressure



• Improves bone density (particularly weight-bearing activities like walking)



• Reduces the risk of certain cancers (breast, colon)



• Improves the likelihood of surviving a heart attack



• Alleviates symptoms of depression (in some cases as effectively as medication or psychotherapy)



• Reduces body fat



• Can improve balance and performance of activities of daily living (for example, shopping, cleaning, playing with grandkids)



• Can reduce the pain and swelling of arthritis



• Increase HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol)



• Decreased blood triglycerides



• Improve weight control



• Improve glucose tolerance and reduce insulin resistance