7 Reasons Why You Should Be Working Out
If youβre like most people, you probably donβt work out very often, if at all. Maybe you assume that working out doesnβt benefit you, that it takes too much time, or that itβs just not your thing. Itβs easy to fall into those kinds of excuses; the benefits of being fit are vague and intangible, and certainly donβt seem like something you need in your life right now. But what if I told you that there are concrete reasons why you should be working out? Well, here they are!
Self-esteem
The bottom line is that working out makes you feel good. It boosts your self-esteem and confidence. When you are physically fit, you tend to see yourself in a more positive light and perceive yourself as more worthy of respect than someone who’s not. This means that everyone around you benefits from your increased self-worth and increased perception of beauty: family, friends, co-workers. Basically, anyone that interacts with you will also experience an increase in their perceptions of your value to them as a person. Thus, by getting healthy and fit, you improve all aspects of your life (1). Don’t underestimate how being at peak physical fitness can make you feel; it’s very powerful stuff!
Energy
Working out releases endorphins and boosts your energy. One study showed that people who took a walk after lunch reported a 33 percent improvement in their mood, compared to people who didnβt exercise. For an extra pick-me-up, try interval trainingβalternating between low-intensity and high-intensity activities to give your metabolism a boost. And donβt forget about strength training: When you lift weights (in addition to losing weight), you increase bone density and muscle mass, which increases your energy over time. Not only does resistance training protect against osteoporosis, but it also wards off other age-related bone diseases like arthritis.
Better social life
When youβre in good shape, you wonβt be afraid to join friends for social activities. Your confidence will take a positive upturn, which is likely to inspire others. Studies also show that when you look good and feel good about yourself, your stress levels go down. And yes, working out is proven to release endorphinsβthose happy hormones that make us want to smile and socialize! Exercise is also great for meeting new people and rekindling relationships with friends and family members. Itβs important to note that physical fitness isnβt just about losing weight; itβs about living a healthy lifestyle in general. So if you decide on an exercise regimen today or have one already, stick with it!
Chilled attitude toward life
Good health is a state of mind as much as it is a state of the body. If youβre constantly stressed, working out will feel like another chore in your already too-busy day. Instead, try to relax by practicing yoga or walking in natureβtwo activities that can boost your happiness and a positive outlook (not to mention circulation). Warm-up with these calming exercises before jumping into a workout routine.
Peace of mind
When was your last physical? If you canβt remember, itβs time to get moving. Regular exercise helps keep your body healthy and strong, which is good for you, but also means that if something goes wrong, youβll have greater odds of surviving. According to one study by researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and Harvard Business School, people who exercised regularly were 25 percent less likely to die during a 20-year follow-up period than those who did not exercise regularly. They also found that benefits may kick in as early as two years after beginning an exercise regimenβnot bad for a few minutes of your day!
Getting into a routine
Itβs no surprise that working out is a crucial part of keeping your body in shape. When you get into a routine, it will become easier to stick with overtime, and easier for you to stay motivated. Before you start planning workouts, pick one or two times of day that work for your schedule and stick with it! If you find yourself getting off schedule, revisit why these times worked well for you in an effort to help keep things on track. Keep reading – there are more reasons why working out is worth doing below!
