Monday, March 19, 2012

The Side Effects of Good Exercise Habits

You want another benefit to regular exercise...better sex.
Testosterone or "T" is a powerful hormone produced naturally in both men and women. It's responsible for sexual arousal and can be increased through exercise.

Fit adults have more electrifying sex lives than individuals who lead sedentary lives. A fitness lifestyle involves healthy nutritional practices and adherence to regular exercise. Exercise done properly enhances sexual functioning because it can naturally increase testosterone levels in both males and females.

Testosterone (T) is an androgen secreted mostly from the testicles of males and the ovaries of females (small amounts produced in adrenal glands of both sexes). It is best known for its affects on increasing lean muscle mass, reducing body fats and slowing aging processes. T also plays a central role in promoting sexual desire.
I can't speak for everyone, but I can personally attest that there is truth to that claim.

Prior to my decision to change my lifestyle, I suffered from a relatively low libido, but with an increase in the intensity and regularity of my exercise habits, my libido returned with a vengeance and I was more than happy to welcome it back—as was the hubby.

So, what's considered a good level at which to train and increase these T-levels, naturally?
...For women to spike exercise-related testosterone levels, they must train hard using compound exercises, moderate reps of 8 - 12, and rest periods of 30 - 180 seconds between sets---similarly to men overall. However, women generally train longer than is required for men to boost testosterone levels. Simply stated, women increase T-levels through participation in grueling workouts and require more time to yield exercise-related T-levels sufficient enough to increase their libido.
In simpler terms, regular exercise (4-5 days a week), using compound exercises (exercises that involve training more than one muscle at a time, i.e. squats, lunges, chest-presses, dips, etc.) for at least 70-80 minutes, is recommended in order for women to achieve optimum results.

As we get older, as women, we have to contend with the rigors of keeping our hormones in balance. However, regular, daily, exercise can help to naturally keep everything in check—many times without a need for an over-the-counter or prescription medication.

That said, it's up to you to carefully craft a routine that suits not only your lifestyle, but your life; and in so doing maybe you can reap the rewards of your good choices.

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