Exercise may also lower blood pressure. It reduces your threat of cardiovascular disease and reduces levels of LDL (“bad” cholesterol). Bad cholesterol can clog the arteries and will cause a heart attack. As well, exercise can boost amounts of HDL (“good” cholesterol). HDL helps protect against a heart attack by carrying fatty deposits out from the arteries.

When combined with a healthier diet, exercise can speed up losing weight. Regular physical exercise builds lean muscle mass, which burns more calories than fat. This helps you burn calories faster, even though you are sitting still.