7 Ways Regular Exercise Will Improve Your Life {Besides the Obvious.}
We all know that exercise is good for us. Exercise burns calories, will give us a greater chance at fighting diseases, and…Hello: Exercise makes us live longer?! That ought to be enough to motivate us to workout regularly, right?
But it’s still hard for a lot of people to motivate. Working out takes time. It makes you sweat. Then you have to shower. And that takes time. Then you have more laundry. And…yes: Time.
Seriously, life is busy, I get that. And we all have plenty of things on our little to-do lists. Besides exercise.
But aside from health and weight, and well, living a long time…What about the side benefits of exercise? The perks. Bonuses. Extras. Maybe some of these things will help motivate you.
Here are seven of my top motivations for working out:
1. Working out makes you feel strong, confident, and capable all day long.
Got a tough job to tackle? Heck, “I just ran three miles in the rain. What can’t I do?”
Have to face a mountain of laundry? “Remember those weights I just lifted? Laundry’s got nothing on me!”
Need to confront someone at work? “After that hike…I could conquer anything.”
2. You’ll have more energy all day long.
It may sound counterintuitive, but it’s the truth. A good workout will get the blood pumping, the endorphins flowing, and you’ll have more energy for hours. Have you ever noticed how lethargic you feel after a slow and mellow morning? But after morning workout? Not so.
3. Working out makes you sleep better
After having that energy boost all day, you’ll definitely crash harder and sleep sounder at night. Or if you’re like me, your energy will dip mid-afternoon and you might take a very satisfying power nap. A tired body = good sleep, whenever it hits.
4. It improves your sex life.
Feeling good about yourself + more energy/endorphins + better sleep = All of the above please and thank you.
5. Working out gives you an excuse to not do other things.
If you make your workouts a legit part of your life, you get to say no to things that you really don’t want to do.
When you’re offered junk food that you really don’t want. “After the workout I just did, I better fuel my body with healthy food!”
When you’re invited out for a late night with friends when you really want to snuggle on the couch in yoga pants and fall asleep to your favorite TV show. “Sorry, I have to be up early for yoga.”
Just about any morning invitation/obligation? Most people will accept a “I’m really trying to workout for my health” excuse. (even if it makes them jealous.)
6. (my personal favorite) You get your very best ideas during workouts.
I would say that 75% of my writing ideas come while I’m exercising. (The other 25% are in the shower but that’s another study.) Working out is the prime time for our brain to think up all kinds of great things.
Relationship in a funk? Workout and new solutions might just come to you.
Need ideas for a project? Exercise. You’ll be amazed at how the creativity flows.
Got writers block? Go for a run. It’s almost guaranteed to help.
Endorphins are amazing. They’re also good for you. And legal.
You’d be crazy not to want a good dose of them, and often
7. Working out gives you bragging rights. (even if you have to keep them to yourself.)
When your kids tells you they had to run a mile in PE today, you smile, knowing you tackled three.
When your husband tells you he rocked his business meeting, you pat him on the back, thinking you rocked your spin class.
When you walk a little funny from sore quads, or sit slowly from the tight gluts, you smile to yourself knowing it’s all because you…worked out.
To get these benefits in a legit sorta way…you need exercise to be a regular part of your life. Experts suggest 4-5 days a week, at least thirty minutes a day. In this season of my life, I settle for 3-4 times a week. But whatever you do, make your workout count (i.e., sweat. challenge yourself.) And be consistent.
The best way to get consistent?
Find something fun, and figure out what motivates you:
The social aspect? Find a buddy or a gym to join.
Nature? Find a safe place to get outside — somewhere you can go no matter the weather.
Multitasking? I have found my time on the elliptical is fantastic for multi-tasking. I listen to podcasts, take notes, and even catch up on social media, all while sweating my booty off. Win win win.
What is your greatest motivation for working out? Any side benefits I missed? Share in comments!
Have an awesome weekend, and get some exercise, K? (You know it’ll make you live longer. {wink.})
ALSO: If you haven’t checked out my book yet, click HERE to read about it. A whole lot of healthy inspiration for your food and exercise life found in this short and easy read. Thanks! 🙂
With Aloha,
Monica
Yes! Love this!!! Also fell out of it for almost a decade and only got back into it last year after being diagnosed with three auto immune conditions. Had to learn moderation with my ten year older and auto immune prone body but now I’m in the best shape of my entire life. Talk about counter intuitive?!…I never knew 7 minutes (check the ap store) or walking(!) could be so effective (14 if you do two reps). But who doesn’t have 7 mintes or 14 if you count a shower, right?!
It was all about time, laundry and multi tasking for me, too. Two notes on laundry and workout clothes – and maybe I’m less worried about walking up to school with the same outfit as some 6th grader than I should be – but, try the largest sizes in the girls department at the stores you frequent the most! I found some super cute XLs that were half the price of the stuff in the women’s dept (double bullseye?). I never dry them so they only take up minimal room in a load…and I gave myself permission not to fold my workout clothes drawer. Okay, it took a while to commit to a drawer drawer for workout & swim, you can just drop them in a bin on the floor of your closet until there’s room in a drawer, right? Bargain shopping and a pass on folding are secret pleasures, yes, but, let’s be real, the shopping part and wearing all the cute bright shoes and leggings? It’s a motivator! I think it actually cheers me up in the morning before I get to the workout part. I mean, when you roll out of bed and put workout clothes on before making breakfast in the morning it cheers you up more than scrambling around to get ready before drop off.
About drop off, too, I started walking my son to school. Well, he rides his bike with training wheels and I walk but it’s about a mile round trip and if I do both drop off and pick up that’s a minimal workout 5 days a week. Yes, it takes time (10 mins or less each way…but who’s counting). So, I set a pleasant alarm on my phone with emojis for 20mins before I need to be there, and I know I need to walk out the door when it comes back on after the first snooze. That way I get to finish up what I’m doing and don’t have the excuse to jump in the car every time. AND, the best part has been the conversations I’ve had with him!, with other parents, and starting the day with being outside! I know I might not last the winter, but, hey that’s just another shopping opportunity! 😜
Lastly, (whoa I hate to write such a novel of a comment, but, oh well it just sort of happened) I love the “best ideas” part! In fact, sometimes I even have the experience of workouts leaving me feeling spiritually connected. Like maybe I don’t worship every week, maybe I don’t even identify with a religion in particular, but, getting outside or challenging myself or just moving my body in whatever way I can mange to motivate for (learned to hula hoop on YouTube all winter last year – Lol!) it can sometimes make me feel more connected to God/Source/The Universe/Higher Power and that is another huge benefit! Oh! And, add meditation?…the health/clarity/energetic/spiritual benefits only get better! Started with a 10 minute guided one last year and I can’t believe I never got into it before! But, I digress…
Monica, you rock! I love you! Thanks for being someone who continually inspires us! Your example reminds me it’s ok to be me, to constantly look for new perspectives in daily life and that being at home can not only be fun and cool, but, even a rather prestigious career! You go girl!
Jen — What a fun comment! I got all sorts of goodies out of that. Love it all. Way to go Way to overcome (or learn to live despite) autoimmune conditions. I say YOU ROCK! 🙂 Thanks for the comment and your energy is contagious! aloha-
Can I add something? I get a ton of blog ideas in the shower after my workout! LOL Those endorphins are still kicking in I guess.
yeah, me too! I love it. And then I take really long showers! 😉
Great post!! I especially love #7, it cracked me up! I went for decades without exercising, but in the past 5 years I have turned it around, lost a lot of weight, and now i exercise regularly. I feel _so_ much better, and so many items in your post are true for me. Now i can do things i never thought i could! Yay for regular exercise!
So true, Wendy. #7 is a good one. I just got up from the table and hobbled to the kitchen due to sore muscles. Love those sore muscles.
I’m so proud of you Wendy! I love to hear from people who really kicked into gear with exercise as adults–Such an inspiration to so many people! Yay. Keep it up! aloha-