Powerful Reasons to Work Out

For so many of us, working out has been seen as a negative, painful experience in our life. The focus has been on shrinking our bodies, getting abs, or other physical signs of "fitness". While having a fit physique is certainly something to be proud of, today I'm going to share a list of reasons to train that DON'T include changing your body and vanity metrics. Mindset shifts are so important when beginning new habits. If working out regularly is new to you, and has been painful in the past, I want you to remember this list when exercising.

Bring your groceries inside in less trips - Okay, we're starting a little silly here, but there is so many benefits like this that strength training can add to your life! Training your muscles to be strong isn't about the way it looks, it's about the convenience and health it adds to your life. Small tasks that used to leave you out of breath could start to feel good!

Walk up flights of stairs without getting winded - Phew, I know I've been there. When I'm not looking after my cardiovascular health, I notice the difference. Keeping your heart healthy and strong will lead to ease in these tasks!

Good posture - If you're wondering why posture is a big enough reason to be on this list, check out my blog post on core strength to see why. Our core is a vital part of our health, including spinal health, digestion, breathing, posture and more!

Prevent injuries - Taking it back to Murphy's Law here - a body in motion tends to stay in motion, whereas a body at rest tends to stay at rest. The less we move our bodies, the more prone to injury we become. This is especially important to keep in mind as we age. We want strong bones, muscles, and organs to prevent common injuries. Prevention is key!

Mental Health - Exercising is one of your best actionable tools to improve mental health. Aerobic exercises, including jogging, swimming, cycling, walking, gardening, and dancing, have been proved to reduce anxiety and depression.

There's a much bigger picture when it comes to exercise. Sure, a 6 pack might be nice, but aging gracefully and in optimal health is the real goal!

You've got this!

H2