We all know about the benefits of exercising – mostly that it’s good for us. But this isn’t always enough to get us motivated into actually doing it.
I’ve always wondered about the people who live to work out. Who are these people? But at the same time, I wish I had that passion for exercise. I’ve been working toward getting back to a healthy weight; however, I haven’t ramped up or even seriously started a workout routine. (Of course, I was going to start this week and ended up with sick kids at home all week. There’s always a reason, right?) But I know it’s time, and I hope you will join me!
My goal is not to go out and kill myself, but rather to start integrating movement more into my life. I’m also planning on starting up yoga again. I find it’s such a wonderful outlet as well as a terrific way of centering myself.
If you’re looking for a little inspiration to get started on your new year’s resolution then here are 10 reasons why exercise can improve your life.
1. More Energy: Although exercise in itself may be tiring, one of the major benefits of exercising is the fact that it’ll ultimately leave you feeling more energized. Studies have shown that regular exercise helps to reduce fatigue.
2. Increase Your Mood: Every time you exercise your body will release endorphins that help to make you feel good. Exercise really will give you a natural high!
3. Improve Your Health: There are so many health benefits of losing weight that it’s impossible to list them all here! By getting fit you’ll reduce the risk of diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, stroke, heart disease and much more.
4. Improve Your Appearance: If being overweight or not being toned leaves you feeling unhappy about yourself then losing weight can help you to look and feel better.
5. Play With Your Kids: It takes a lot of energy to keep up with your kids. By losing weight and getting fit, you’ll be able to run around with them without constantly getting out of breath. This can be one of the most rewarding benefits of exercising: it helps you to enjoy life more.
6. Sleep Better: When you exercise more you’ll start to find it easier to get a good night’s rest. This adds to the energy boost that you’ll get from exercise in the long term.
7. Increase Your Strength and Stamina: Do you find it hard to go on long walks, even though you want to? Or maybe even carrying shopping bags up the stairs is a struggle? Exercise more and you’ll eventually be able to handle these activities with ease.
8. Reduce Stress: Exercise can hugely reduce stress levels. If you regularly suffer from stress – or even mental heath issues such as depression and anxiety – regular exercise can help to reduce your symptoms.
9. A Sense Of Achievement: When you start to exercise and see the improvements you’re making week on week, you’ll really get the feeling that you’ve achieved something worthwhile!
10. Keep Your Independence Later In Life: The more you can exercise now, while you’re still able, the more you can reduce the impact of certain health problems later in life. In short, keeping fit and healthy will help you to keep your independence as late into life as possible.
So how much will you need to work out to feel these benefits of exercising? That all depends on your current fitness levels. The good news is that just 30 minutes of exercise a day is enough to improve your health drastically. So what are you waiting for?!
This article is a series of health-focused posts as I work my way back to living healthy. Join me in my quest.
Did you miss these other health-focused posts?
- A Checklist for Setting SMART New Year’s Resolutions
- No Wedding Ring for Me Cause I’m Fat
- Find the Motivation to Lose Weight and Get Healthy
- Are These Excuses Preventing You From Losing Weight?
- 6 Ways to Reduce Food Cravings
- 4 Tips to Help You Avoid the “Inevitable” Holiday Weight Gain
- Victory! I Didn’t Gain an Ounce During Holiday Break and Vacation with 6 Tricks
Hi!
I am working on this too. I decided to blog specifically to hold myself accountable to my health goals. I’d love to have you link up any of your healthy posts to my Linky Party – They are just what it needs! I’m doing well so far. I lost about 10 lbs. before the holidays but now I’m REALLy focused on the workouts. I think the key is finding what workout you actually, at least partially, enjoy. I tried running. There is nothing about it that I enjoy, but my husband love it. 🙂
Great list. I’ll be sharing!
LOL! Christine — my hubby is a running fanatic. I’d much rather just lay back down on the couch. I’ve decided it’s time for me to get back to yoga. But boy do I hate being around all of those crazy skinny chics. 🙂
Too funny. I’ve been working out at home to avoid the gym and those already fit ladies who make me more self-conscious. 🙂
I just have to psych myself up and remind myself that I have no intention of starving myself and comparing myself. I can only be who I am.
You can do it!
Hi, Jennifer!
I featured this post on my post, today. Have a super weekend and week ahead.
http://bloghoppingmom.blogspot.com/2014/01/friendship-friday-d-februarys-healthy.html
Awesome post. My hubby has gotten on a fitness kick, and he works out 6 days a week. He has lost about 30 lbs. Prior to Thanksgiving I would probably hit the gym around 2 times a week. Haven’t really been since. Said I was going to get back into it after the holidays and I ended up sick the first 2 weeks of the year, and have just not had the motivation to workout. Just need to get back into going to the gym and using my Fitness Pro again. These were a good reminder of why I need to go
I hate how men can lose weight so much more easier! Glad you’re feeling better now. Now get back into the groove and join me, Nicki 🙂
i am horrible at maintaining my work-out routine. i go strong for a few months and then get thrown off course. i am once again back on track; i use these work outs called “fitness blenders” on you tube and they get me sweating pretty, plus i can do them at home! i also go to a yoga class and go hooping once week. my goal is to do something exercise wise daily. sounds like a lot, but some days i only work-out for 20 minutes. have you heard of bikini-body-mama. she’s the inspiration behind working out 20mins everyday,
and, just like your list says, i am sleeping better, my general mood is more stable, i have a sense of accomplishment and the tension has eased in my shoulders!
anyhow, enough rambling!
great post! have a great weekend!
xo, mama lola
I am the exact same way! Usually it’s because the whole house goes down with some sort of sickness and I get walloped in the process. My hope is to just do moderate things throughout the week so when I do stop, I won’t lose my steam. I haven’t heard of Bikini Body Mama….hmmm. I’ll have to go check her out. Thanks for the tip.
I love this post! The benefits of regular exercise are almost endless! I think each person has to find what works best for her and go for it. For me, having a treadmill at home is a godsend. It is one of the best investments we ever made. Because it’s so convenient, I have no trouble fitting in a cardio workout 5 or 6 days a week. The thing I’m working on adding this year is strength training. It’s important for weight loss, toning, and maintaining strength and function as we get older – but I hate it! But so far I’m managing to fit in a 20-min strength workout 3 days a week.
I’ve been tempted to get a treadmill so I have no excuses — the weather in Chicago is just too prohibitive to get out during the winter.
I found your post via Cool Mom’s healthy life blog post linky. Love reading your list of benefits to exercise! I hear these often from my hubby (a trainer), but it can be easier to hear it from a gal on the same journey. Thanks for the inspiration. I see some push-ups in my future!
Julie
Ha! Julie, I completely agree. It’s easier to take advice from a girlfriend rather than a hubby. We have to watch each other’s backs!