10
Reasons to Start Exercising
1.
Improved mental state –
endorphins are like drugs. Good drugs. Happy drugs. Enough said.
2.
Weight loss –
the
more you move the more energy you expend. Weight loss occurs through the
creation of a long term negative energy balance. The more energy
your body burns the more likely you are to create an energy deficit and trigger
your body to burn fat. Check out this post: 30 ways to increase your energy
expenditure.
3.
Build muscle –
muscle is good. It’s burns fat and helps keep blood sugar levels under control.
If you don’t use it, you lose it. Unless regular exercise is a part of your
life, your muscle mass will decrease and you’ll get weaker and less flexible as
you age.
4.
Strong bones –
the simple act of muscles pulling on bones during physical activity causes them
to get stronger. Strong, dense bones are less likely to develop osteoporosis
later on in life and are less likely to fracture during a fall. Falls and
fractures in elderly people are major causes of death. Regular exercise
decreases the chance of this happening.
5.
Feel energised –
a body that moves regularly has more bounce and vigor. Sitting around all day
makes you feel sluggish and tired. Don’t be a couch potato. Move your body and
you’ll feel like moving it more.
6.
Healthy heart –
exercise reduces blood pressure, cholesterol and improves cardiovascular
fitness. Heart disease is still the biggest killer of Australian adults and
little or no physical activity is a major risk factor. It only takes 15 mins a
day of moderate intensity (huffing and puffing) exercise to decrease your risk
of a heart attack. What are you waiting for?
7.
Minimise stress –
I find no better therapy for pent up feelings of frustration and stress
than getting out for good run (if I need a good huff and puff) or a nice
relaxing walk (if I need time for thought and reflection). On particularly
grumpy days my husband has been known to send me out the door for some physical
activity!
8.
Improve your sleep –
you’ll sleep more soundly and feel more refreshed when you exercise daily. If
you’re not a great sleeper try this 2 week challenge: exercise daily, cut out
caffeine, wake at the same time every morning and avoid screens such as the
computer, TV or smartphone in the hour before you go to bed.
9.
Quality of life –
To improve quality of life,you are more attractive to
others, you're more likely to take care of yourself, you make better decisions, your instincts are sharper.
10.
Positive self-image –
It doesn’t matter what my body actually looks like, my perception of myself is
100 times better when I exercising regularly than when I’m not. I believe that
making the effort to purposefully engage in physical activity tells myself that
I am worth looking after and taking care of. You have to believe that you are
worth the effort, because you are.
So
now you have 10 reasons for why you should get that body of yours moving! No
more excuses, just make it happen!
