6 Amazing Reasons to Start Exercising
Michael Carrington
Exercise: You hear all the time about how you need to do it but has anyone taken the time to explain why?
Yes, getting involved in an exercise program IS good for your health but that’s so vague. Let’s take a look at the exact reasons why you need to get on that treadmill, get into the weight room, and join a group class.
- LOSE BODY FAT
The most cited reason as to why you should start exercise is body fat. Eating too many calories and not getting in enough physical activity results in weight gain. Not just any weight gain. Your body is gaining fat.
Exercise, whether it’s riding a bike or lifting weights, helps to burn more calories throughout the day. This energy expenditure helps to keep your caloric intake in check along with your body weight.
- START BUILDING MUSCLE
Building muscle isn’t gender specific. If you’re a woman and you start lifting weights, you will develop lean muscle and NOT huge muscle mass like your friends would have you believe. Weight lifting does not result in bulky muscles for women. This is a myth and one that needs to go away.
Lean muscle tissue promotes more calorie burning and a better overall body composition. What’s more, when you perform the movements that build muscle, you are promoting good posture and form, which help you for years to come.
- GET IN A BETTER MOOD
If you’re prone to bouts of sadness, this one is for you.
Exercise promotes the release of feel good chemicals in the brain known as endorphins. When you exercise constantly, you are playing an active role in altering your mindset and emotional construct.
The phenomenon known as “exercise euphoria” is no coincidence. When you exercise, you are promoting a positive mood in the brain.
- SUPPORT YOUR CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
You can’t see your cardiovascular health like you can body fat or muscle but it’s far more important. Cardiovascular health relates to those numbers that get checked during your doctor visits with an emphasis on heart rate, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. If your doctor gave you a wag of the finger at your last test results, then one way to get back into his good graces is to start an exercise program. Exercise is extremely beneficial for your cardiovascular health, often improving levels within 3 short months.- BUILD A BIGGER SOCIAL CIRCLE
Exercise lets you expand on your friend circle. When you start working out in a gym or if you start taking fitness classes, you’ll be quick to find others with similar goals in mind. From this, you may even find you have a lot more in common with your weight room neighbor than you thought.
Take a chance, strike up a conversation with someone in your gym or class. You never know where it could lead.
- SAVE MONEY
When you’re healthy, you spend less time being sick.
If you’re not sick, you’re not spending money on doctor’s visits, medication, and chicken noodle soup.
Case in point: Exercise helps to save you money.
Getting involved in an exercise program will help to boost your immune system and thereby allow you to avoid illness-related expenses.
TELL US WHAT YOU THINK!
Why do YOU exercise?
Tell us about your personal motivation for exercise below!
You might just inspire someone else.
Harber VJ, Sutton JR. Endorphins and exercise. Sports Med. 1984 Mar-Apr;1(2):154-71.
Jonathan Myers, PhD. Exercise and Cardiovascular Health. Circulation. 2003; 107: e2-e5.
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