Exercise benefits every part of the body, including the mind. Exercising causes the body to
produce endorphins, chemicals that lead a person to feel peaceful and happy. Exercise can
help some people sleep better. It can also help with mental health issues such as mild
depression and self-esteem. If you feel strong and powerful, it can help you see yourself
in a better light. Plus, exercise can give people a real sense of accomplishment and pride at
having achieved a certain goal - like beating an old time in the 100-meter dash.
Exercising can help you look better, too. People who exercise burn calories and look more
toned than those who don't. In fact, exercise is one of the most important parts of keeping your
body at a healthy weight. When you exercise, you burn food calories as fuel. If a person eats
more calories than he or she burns, the body stores them away as fat. Exercise can help
burn these stored calories.
Exercising to maintain a healthy weight also decreases a person's risk of developing
certain diseases, including type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. These diseases, which
used to be found mostly in adults, are becoming more common in teens.
Finally, it may not seem important now, but exercise can help a person age well. Women are
especially prone to a condition called Osteoporosis (a weakening of the bones) as they get
older. Studies have found that weight-bearing exercise, like running or brisk walking, can help
girls (and guys!) keep their bones strong.