10 Benefits of Exercise by Denise B. Povernick

Exercise is that thing that most people love to hate but the benefits are amazing.  Your body is meant to be in motion.  Yet in today’s lifestyle, most adults are sedentary.  The more you move the better you feel.  We know starting to exercise can be overwhelming for most people especially if you have never done it before or it's been a long time since you have put yourself a priority in your own life.  You may not know how or where to start.  Each Tuesday we will be offering lots of great information to help you.

So today let’s start with the obvious benefits of exercising.  Even if you can only identify with 1 item on this list it is a sign for you to get moving and take better care of yourself.  The more of these benefits you need in your life the stronger the Universe is pushing you to start.

1. Exercise will boost feeling good about yourself and your life.  

It’s not a coincidence that you feel better after a good workout: It’s science.  No one ever regrets a workout.

2. You learn how to set and achieve goals. 

Setting and achieving fitness goals is an incredible self-confidence boost. Discovering the power of goal setting by committing to reaching an exercise milestone and then working out just how you’ll achieve it, you can enjoy the benefits of exercise and the confidence that comes along with it.

3. Get an energy boost. 

When you’re feeling exhausted, the last thing you might want to do is squeeze in a workout. That’s exactly what you should do. Low-intensity exercise, the equivalent of a leisurely stroll, experienced a drop in fatigue levels and a 20 percent energy boost.

4. Improve your memory. 

Exercising regularly can help jog your memory.  Increased levels of oxygen to the body through deeper breathing helps with memory.  Deep breathing is just as important as healthy eating for the body to function properly.

5. Sleep better and deeper. 

If you cannot sleep and instead are prone to tossing and turning, exercising can help you sleep better. By strengthening circadian rhythms, exercising can help keep you more bright-eyed during the day and bring on sleep at night. It also promotes better quality sleep.

6.  Increase your strength and flexibility. 

Strength training, whether you’re lifting weights, doing bodyweight exercises or incorporating yoga moves, helps improve muscle strength and muscle mass particularly important as we age. It also keeps bones strong. Plus, increased muscle helps your body burn calories more efficiently long after your workout is over.

7. Better performance at work.  

When you are taking care of you, it becomes easier to take care of the other things in your life.  Just imagine if you dedicated 1/2 the time to taking care of yourself as you do your work.  

8. Stay healthy. 

Only a weakened body can become sick.  Exercise boosts immunity.  Regular exercise flushes out stress, tension, bacteria and helps protect your body.

9. Lose fat and boost self-confidence.  

The better you look and feel the more self-confident you become.  If you no longer hide in baggie clothes you’ll be more willing to come out of your personality shell and live life to the fullest.

10. Live longer. 

Being there for our loved ones and enjoying as many special moments together as we can — that’s what life really is all about. Keeping your body happy and healthy to help you live a longer, fuller life is one of exercise’s biggest benefits.

The list of exercise benefits is endless.  How many of the above benefits could you use in your life?  The important thing is to start from where you are right now.  There are so many options available to overcome all the excuses you tell yourself.  Didn’t you promise yourself at the beginning of this year to take better care of you?  Decide right now it’s time to take the next step.  You are worth it.  If you’d like more information about Personal Training with Denise or Curvin check out our Personal Training Page & Info.

~ Denise B. Povernick