Hot in the sheet, less time on your feet
By Thea Shoemaker 01/29/2009
Ha! I got your attention now, didn’t I? Well, guess what? Studies suggest that having sex three times a week burns the same amount of calories as running 30 miles per week! I know, like you really needed an excuse to roll in the hay.
But there’s more! Many studies have shown that people who have regular, healthy sex look younger, feel younger and live longer than people who don’t. Good healthy sex releases endorphins, which are natural pain relievers that reduce stress and will even lower your cholesterol. Did you really need another reason?
Before you start wondering what kind of advice your friendly columnist is giving out these days, I am not saying you should go jump in the sack with everyone you meet. The healthy benefits are in fact only for those in healthy and loving relationships. The same studies mentioned above showed that promiscuity had quite the opposite effect, and led to poorer health overall.
The good sex = good exercise equation goes both ways … in order to have good sex, you need to be healthy, and a good sex life improves your health. In fact, reports show that men who engage in 20 to 30 minutes of vigorous exercise daily have a lower than average frequency of erectile dysfunction. It’s also noted that men who were over their ideal weight were more susceptible to erectile dysfunction. Guys, do you need more incentive to exercise?
Another interesting tidbit on the subject of sex and exercise: A very tricky study was done testing the arousal level in women. Women who exercised regularly were more easily sexually aroused than women who were overweight or otherwise out of shape.
We’ve covered the importance of a regular schedule of sex (assuming you are in a healthy and loving relationship) in order to keep yourself in good shape. But you also want to be in great shape in order to have great sex and really get the most out of your sex life. In order to do this, you want to improve your cardiovascular ability. Choose a type of exercise that you enjoy and that you can keep up for at least 30 minutes: running, swimming, aerobics classes are some examples.
You’re doing lots of cardio, keeping that heart strong. Now, let’s add muscular strength training to the mix. Muscular endurance exercises with high repetitions that use your body weight are ideal, such as push-ups and dips, which are great for endurance.
You’re on your way to becoming a lean, mean, sex machine. Cardio and strength training are two of the three components that will get you strong and in shape. But the third one is an area that should not be missed: flexibility. Stretching daily is recommended; take five or 10 minutes after you go for that run. For an overall flexibility and muscular endurance regimen, try yoga or Pilates a few times a week as a treat.
Now that you are ready to make this formula work for you, don’t go overboard, as high amounts of strenuous activity may reduce testosterone levels in men and can lead to poor libido in both men and women. Overtraining can also decrease your immune system, which can negatively affect sexual performance. Keep your equation balanced and always remember: You’re worth it!
Thea Shoemaker has provided personal training in her clients’ homes in Ventura County since 1996. You can reach her at thea@tsfitnesssystems.com, 985.7867 or on the web: www.TSFitnessSystems.com.
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