If you thought your regular exercise routine had no other benefit than to help you look great, statistics are proving otherwise. Every day new research is being published explaining the extended benefits of working out. Many of the men and women in corporate America take time out from their busy schedules to fit in a workout, or a game at the gym, but it is not done to ensure that their business clothes fit properly. The main objective is to prevent a premature end to their career. My wife, Monica, and I have long been proponents of regular exercise.

The benefits of exercise go far beyond just keeping your body in shape. While you tone and sculpt your physique, you also improve your mental health and shape up your brain. Exercising boosts your memory, creativity and learning power which allows you to concentrate more easily and clearly. In today's hectic society, everyone can use a healthy way to release their daily tensions. Research shows that exercise and physical activity lead to an improved overall mood as well as helping to alleviate work-related stress. Men and women who exercise regularly have higher self-esteem and fewer battles with depression.

The physical benefits of exercise extend beyond being in shape and maintaining a healthy body weight. According to the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, women who work out one to three hours a week during child-bearing years reduce the risk of breast cancer 20-30 percent and can cut the risk of heart disease by 40 percent. Exercising more than four hours a week can reduce the risk of breast cancer almost 60 percent. Regular exercise also helps women maintain strong bones. By engaging in weight bearing activities such as sunning, walking and strength training, bone mass is increased which in turn prevents bone loss and osteoporosis. Those who exercise also have lower triglycerides and higher levels of HDL, or "good" cholesterol.

The Town of Hempstead's Department of Parks and Recreation, one of the largest municipal parks departments in the nation, might just have a program that's right for you. If you are interested in swimming, walking, jogging, or playing sports, our parks department is the place to call. Their number is 292-9000.

Exercising is no longer a fad that comes and goes each summer. Many people realize that exercising will help improve all areas of their life, not just their appearance. On behalf of all the members of the Hempstead Town Board, I'd like to urge you to take the initiative and start exercising, even on a moderate basis, whenever a free moment arises. Make the decision to change your life for the better just by getting your body in motion.