Sex Yourself Slim

I hate to exercise! I’m fortunate that I don’t put on weight easily and I have a busy enough routine which means I do more than the suggested 30 minutes of walking a day any way. I guess the thing that gets me most is that I just don’t do routine and the secret to a good workout has to be a regular routine.

So it was with particular interest that I noticed a report from the NHS just recently that claims people who find their time limited when it comes to a daily fitness program should consider a regular workout in the bedroom.

According to the NHS Direct website, “Sexercise” can lower the risk of heart attacks and also allow people to live longer.

At last: a fitness regime I know I can stick to!

A little more research led me to discover that the thinking behind this theory has much to do with endorphins. Apparently, when they are released during orgasm, endorphins stimulate immune system cells, which in turn allow them to target illnesses like cancer as well as wrinkles!

So you can forget Oil of Olay and weekly facials: apparently ladies we have everything we need to keep our skin looking healthy laying right next to us every night!

Happy Days…    

However, some sexual health experts appear somewhat less enthusiastic about embracing the idea, suggesting that such claims are difficult to prove scientifically.

“It’s good to see the NHS promoting sexual wellbeing,” De Melissa Sayer told the Guardian newspaper, “but while there is evidence that sex has benefits for mental wellbeing, claiming there is also a link with reduced risk of heart disease and cancer is taking the argument too far.”

However, NHS Direct remains bullish with its claims and has insisted that the paper was “backed by science and clinical evidence” and “isn’t just a bit of fun.”

The article, published under the headline “Get more than zeds in bed”, is one of several sexual health-related articles that can be found on the NHS Direct website.

The article confidently declares that sex with a little energy and imagination provides a workout worthy of an athlete.

“Forget about jogging around the block or struggling with sit-ups. Sex uses every muscle group, gets the heart and lungs working hard and burns about 300 calories an hour.”

My step-machine is already packed and ready to go off to the charity store.

The increased production of endorphins apparently makes the hair shine and keeps your skin smooth. If you’re worried about wrinkles – orgasms apparently even help prevent frown lines from deepening.

The good news just keeps on coming…

The article goes on to say that orgasms release “painkillers” into the bloodstream, which help keep mild illnesses like colds and aches and pains at bay.

The production of extra oestrogen and testosterone hormones “will keep your bones and muscles healthy, leaving you fabulous inside and out”.

With all this in mind I have decided to ditch the candlelit dinner for two with flowers this February 14^th and will instead be pushing for an early night and a late start into the office the following morning.

That’s one in the eye for all those personal trainers out there who claim “no pain, no gain”.

For more information on this study, click on the NHS Direct website http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/.

Poppy Watt