You work out because you…
…want a six-pack of abs to show off…
…want a killer upper body for the beach…
…want to lead a healthier life…
Listen, it’s always great to come home from a tough sesh at the gym, look yourself in the mirror, and see your muscles begin to bud into form.
Better than that is the feeling of being healthy. Ain’t that the best?!?
Those are the main benefits you get from working out, but did you know that fitness is SUCH a bargain that you get some—shall I say—extra benefits as well?
Here are a few things you might not have realized you were getting out of your fitness routine!
Increased Happiness and Confidence
Ever go to the gym on a bad day? You probably felt a lot better after sweating off some of that stress, right?
Nope, that’s not coincidence. Your happiness and confidence get a nice boost when you work out.
Let’s start with how working out affects your mood. Exercise releases endorphins into the body, which make you feel better and happier. If you know someone with a mood disorder, they can attest to how much doctors stress exercise to regulate mood levels.
That’s a great short term effect, but something special begins to happen when you work out for the long term…
Your confidence grows! You start feeling like the workout boss you are.
When you look good, you feel good. When you eat clean, you feel clean. Good health isn’t just a physical state; it’s a mental and emotional one too!
Increased Functional Strength
The word “strength” often brings to mind super jacked fitness buffs bench pressing plates and plates of weight.
That’s one way that strength is helpful: it helps you build more strength.
There’s another way that strength comes in handy, or rather, helps us perform life’s most basic functions.
Yep, I’m talking about functional strength!
You probably haven’t thought much about functional strength unless you’ve struggled to carry a heavy box downstairs or labored to move your couches around, but you still need strength to perform these small tasks.
Working out makes those tasks much easier. As a parent, for example, that’s especially important: you could be carrying anything from babies to groceries, or you might be pushing a heavy stroller at the park in the heat of the day.
More Chances to Live Life
Have you ever wanted to ski in the Alps? Surf in Hawaii? Paraglide over Peru?
These all sound like fun, but let’s be real: they aren’t easy when you aren’t in shape.
Fitness will open you up to so many opportunities in life. You’ll be able to keep up with your kids and grandkids, even when you’re older. You can climb trees, trek through nature, and take those romantic long walks on the beach with a significant other.
So when it’s crunch time and you need a little motivation for your workout, don’t just focus on the body you’re looking to get. Think about how much better your day-to-day will be when you don’t have to worry about your fitness getting in the way of your life!
