We all know that exercise is good for us, but why, exactly?  What does exercise really do for us, for our bodies, for our minds, for our social lives?  MuscleMagFitness.com reports the Top 10 list of reasons to exercise, according to some of the top doctor's in the US.

1. Exercise helps keep your arteries flexible and malleable, which prevents heart disease and heart attacks.
2. If you have metabolic syndrome, losing as little as 6.5 percent of your body weight results in substantial reductions in blood pressure, glucose, triglycerides and total cholesterol, all factors that lead to heart disease.
3. Exercise prevents the growth of fat that surrounds the midsection, which is angry, dynamic fat that actively contributes to diabetes and resulting vision loss and limb amputations.
4. Fat around the midsection is also associated with inflammation that leads to damaged blood vessels, heart disease, liver disease and Alzheimer’s disease. Exercise helps prevent this.
5. Exercise reduces stress and lifts your mood by increasing serotonin levels in your brain.
6. Exercise can be a social activity, which is associated with higher incidence of general happiness.
7. Strength training improves balance, bone density, bone strength and prevents osteoporosis.
8. Strength training and stretching helps prevent injuries caused by everyday activities like lifting things and hopping over puddles.
9. Participating in team sports like basketball, flag football, volleyball and soccer enhances hand-eye coordination and improves your reflexes.
10. Exercise tones your muscles, increases your metabolism, burns calories, and can make you leaner.

Source: Methodist Hospital, www.methodisthealth.com.