It's normal to have days where you just don't feel like exercising.
You feel too busy, too stressed and quite simply too tired.
And you forget about all the amazing benefits that a consistent and challenging exercise routine gives you. I'm here to remind you.
Here's a list of 15 of the top reasons to exercise. Pull out this list and read it when you're having one of those days.
1. To Be Happier
Exercise has been shown to stimulate brain chemicals that induce relaxation and happiness. When you're having a bad day, lace up your shoes for an invigorating workout and feel happier.
2. To Reduce Disease
Exercise has been proven to reduce the risk of pretty much every single health problem known to man, from stroke to heart disease to cancer and osteoporosis. Exercise is also a great defense against type 2 diabetes, one of the most widely growing diseases of our time.
3. To Look Amazing
Exercise firms your muscles, improves your posture and even makes your skin glow. Looking amazing is a wonderful result of regular exercise. It's very rewarding when the people in your life start to notice your transformation.
4. To Reach Your Goal Weight
Exercise burns fat and helps you keep it off. If you want to have a leaner, healthier body, exercise is your answer.
5. To Be Energized
Remember that feeling you experience after a great workout? You're body is buzzing with energy, you're less easily irritated and feel more peaceful.
6. To Get Better Sleep
Exercise boosts energy levels during the day, but also wears you out. Recovering from a challenging workout will help you relax and reach a deeper level of sleep.
7. To Slow Aging
Regular exercise is one of the most effective ways to slow aging. When you age your body loses muscle and bone, and the loss of both are drastically reduced with regular exercise. You'll also enjoy a reduction in inflammation.
8. To Lessen Back Pain
In most cases, the most effective thing that you can do for back pain is to move and strengthen those muscles. Always consult your physician or physical therapist for guidance if you have an injury.
9. To Reduce Depression
Studies have shown that exercise is able to reduce depression – sometimes even as effectively as medication. Even if you don't feel like getting up off the couch to sweat through a workout, remember that you'll feel happier and more alive once you've done it.
10. To Feel Fewer Aches and Pains
When you strengthen the muscles around your damaged joints you're able to reduce joint pain and overall aches. Remember to always consult your physician before starting an exercise program, especially if you have chronic joint pain.
11. To Improve Memory
Exercise has been proven to improve memory and other cognitive functions, and seems to have a protective effect against dementia. A Harvard University researcher was quoted calling exercise "Miracle-Gro for the brain."
12. To Enjoy Your Life
Whatever it is that you love in life – your kids, travel, sports, fashion - it is all more enjoyable when you experience it in a fit and healthy body. Find the motivation to exercise so that you're able to enjoy all the great things in your life.
13. To Have Fewer Sick Days
Studies have shown that people who exercise regularly are 50% less likely to call in sick to work. With a regular exercise program you'll experience a reduced number of colds and upper respiratory infections.
14. To Burn Calories at Rest
Building your muscles through exercise means that you'll be burning extra calories even while at rest. You'll be able to eat more and maintain your ideal weight with ease.
15. To Be Confident
When you are fit, feel healthy and have energy, the natural result is great confidence. There's no better confidence booster than sticking with a regular exercise program. The results are more than worth your efforts.
Regular exercise gives you so many amazing benefits, as you've been reminded from the above list.