What changes happen to you when you stop exercising?

By Sine Wallace, CEO Wallace Fitness

Many of us have needed to stay home or work from home in the past few weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gyms and other fitness centers are closed making it more difficult to maintain a fitness routine, unless you are on our online programs guided and monitored by one of Wallace Fitness™ experts. 
 
What changes happen to you when you stop your training regiment?
 
Decreased Respiratory Rate / Stamina
 
Did you know, the VO2 level in your blood is already reduced about 10% if you have been inactive for as little as 12 days, according to Andreas Bergdahl an assistant professor in cardiovascular physiology at Montreal’s Concordia University. 
 
What is VO2 Max? It is your maximum capacity to carry oxygen in your blood stream that doctors monitor when you stop exercising.  It is especially important to continue to exercise now more than ever. As we know it to date, coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome, which means keeping you cardiovascular stamina is paramount. 
 
Increase Risk of Diabetes and Heart Disease
 
Your blood sugar increases when you stop exercising. When we eat, our body metabolizes the food. Your muscles use the excess sugar. But when you are not exercising the glucose stay in your blood increasing your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Department of Health and Human Services recommends incorporating strength-training exercises of all the major muscle groups into a fitness routine at least two times a week. 
 
Increase in Blood Pressure and Cholesterol
 
According to Mayo Clinic, regular physical activity makes your heart stronger. A stronger heart can pump more blood with less effort. If your heart can work less to pump, the force on your arteries decreases, lowering your blood pressure. Becoming more active can lower your systolic blood pressure — the top number in a blood pressure reading — by an average of 4 to 9 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). That’s as good as some blood pressure medications. Many of Wallace Fitness™ clients have already reduced the need for blood pressure medication. 
 
Increase Inflammation in the Joints (Arthritis pain)
 
Your joints are designed to move. When you are sedentary, you may start feeling: 

• Stiffness
• Swelling
• Muscle pain
• Fatigue
• Joint Pain
• Muscle weakness and Tightness
• Decrease in Range of Motion 

 
Increase Risk Depression and Anxiety 
 
I don’t know about you, but I did suffer from severe depression back in the day. It was not fun for me or for people around me. I also had anxiety. Actually, I still have it. Though I am okay now, I know that I can fall back so easily if I do not take steps to take care of myself. I may not feel like it all the time, but I know I can. You can too… 
 
When we stop our exercise routine, our brain also gets impacted. We no longer release the feel-good hormones endorphins as before. Then, we start worrying over things creating anxiety. And the viscous circle starts….  
 
Loss of Bone Density
 
Your bones can become more fragile over time as well. Performing safe strength training designed for you specifically is crucial to keep your bones strong. Bone grows when you engage in safe exercises to put stress on your bones, just like in our High Performance Aging™ program.

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