Better Sex Better Body: Exercising for the Libido
Most women in their late 40s and 50s consider going to the grocery store, cleaning house, and the occasional sexual activity—once a month—the extent of their exercise routine. In fact, most days, the extent of my exercise routine seems to be getting up and getting dressed; considering the jaunt to the kitchen to be over-kill.
However, everyone needs to exercise and the end result of firming up your body is to find renewed interest in things that you used to enjoy. The experts say you will feel fresher, more appealing, and younger, although they do not mention the appeal of sweat as an added plus in the games of sex. The reasoning behind exercise is that it increases the hormone flow within the body, strengthens muscles, and develops prolonged stamina.
According to Paul Pearsall, Ph.D., and author of the book Superimmunity, sex boosts chemicals in the body that protect against disease. It promotes heart health and lengthens the life span, along with combating depression, and easing joint and muscle pain. He recommends stretches, pelvic lifts, butterflies, yoga, swimming, cycling, push-ups, sit-ups, walking, and aerobic exercises to increase the blood flow, strengthen muscles used during sex, and enhancing the libido. The full article and further explanations (for exercising) may be found on the Discovery Health web site.
Jim Pfaus, Ph.D., of Concordia University in Montreal, studies the biology of sexual desire and says that by increasing your blood flow, you will have a much easier time getting aroused. He does warn that too much exercise, such as that experienced while training for a triathlon or long-distance running, may have the opposite effect. It is important to note that extreme exercise regiments may lead to lack of interest in sex, and may stop ovulation and menstruation. Both men recommend Kegel—exercising the vaginal muscle—exercise to strengthen and enhance muscle control. More on the Pfaus findings may be found on A Healthy Me web site.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
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