Intro
You’ve been telling yourself forever that “I’m finally going to lose this extra weight I’m lugging around,” or “I’m tired of having a closet full of clothes I can’t wear anymore,” or maybe you’re just tired of running out of breath at the top of a flight of stairs. All of these and multitudes more are valid reasons to get in shape. There’s only one problem with all these great reasons; you haven’t reached your goal yet! So instead of looking backwards at what you haven’t done, it’s time to start looking forward to what you WILL do.Physical
The great majority of people that exercise take at least part of their motivation from what they see in the mirror. And why not? Looking healthy and strong is one of the best reasons to get fit! When you like the way you look, you’ll carry yourself with more confidence, you’ll have a spring in your step and other people will notice. One of the greatest feelings you’ll have after you’ve started exercising is hearing a friend or co-worker remark, “wow, you look great!” You’ll find yourself coming up with excuses to wear clothes that show off your newfound fitness. You might even catch yourself spending some extra time in the mirror!
These newfound good looks sound great, but none of them matter much if you don’t feel any different. The good news is you will! Exercising has almost countless health benefits, including a healthier and better functioning heart, more lung capacity, more endurance, increased strength, fewer persistent body aches, higher resistance to disease and even an increased metabolism. That’s right, exercising speeds up your metabolism! Not only does a faster metabolism mean you’ll be burning more fat, it also means you get to eat more food! If you’re anything like Joe, this is one of the greatest blessings of getting in shape. Don’t forget that your circulation will improve as well! If you combine this with your increased endurance, you’ll probably find that your significant other is enjoying your fitness journey as well.
Mental/Emotional
Exercise has some very important benefits for your psyche in addition to your body. Remember how we talked about an improved physique resulting in more confidence? The effects aren’t limited to confidence. Regular exercise has also been proven to help you have fewer sleepless nights and sleep more deeply every night. In fact, your body will demand it! Recent research even shows you’ll be able to focus on everyday tasks and complete them more quickly.
Exercise can even make you happy! You’ve heard of the “runner’s high,” but how in the world can an activity that makes you sweat and tires out your muscles lead you to a state of happiness? Because your body uses a simple chemical you may have heard of called endorphins. When you engage in intense activity, the brain responds by releasing endorphins into your blood stream; these endorphins have the effect of almost instantly improving your mood. It’s a cheap high with positive side effects; hard to get better than that.
Summary
Exercise benefits just about every activity you want to do on a daily basis. So what are you waiting for? It’s YOUR turn!
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