We all know that exercise can lift, tone, shrink the trouble spots, and give us more muscle definition. But regular exercise is important for SO much more than weight loss or achieving that “perfect body”. (and what the heck defines a ‘perfect body’, anyway? That’s a post for another day.) Working out on a regular basis can not only make you look better, but more importantly, it will make you FEEL better.

5 reasons to workout
(that have nothing to do with weight loss)

1. Mental Release – Exercise has been proven to reduce stress, anxiety, and even depression. If you are having a bad day, or suffer from anxiety, hitting the gym can help you relax. Figure out what your favorite type of exercise is (running, lifting weights, spin classes, etc.), and go do that! You are far more likely to benefit from those endorphins if you love what you are doing. I have known people that took up exercising over anxiety meds, and they have told me that their workouts are the best anti-depressants they have ever taken!
2. Sense of Accomplishment – Admit it, you feel like you can take on the world after you just crushed a workout. And that sense of accomplishment is even stronger when it is one of those days when you really had to internally motivate yourself to workout in the first place. We don’t always have that motivation to go to the gym when we are tired, stressed, or just feeling lazy. But you always feel better when you are done.
3. Strengthens your heart – We want to have a strong heart to carry us through a very long and happy life, and exercise will do just that. Whether you are lifting weights or doing cardio, you are taking care of your heart one workout at a time.
4. Lowers your risk for disease – And I’m not just talking about heart disease. Regular exercise lowers your risk for diabetes, lung disease, metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, cancer, and the list goes on. Exercise is basically a miracle drug for preventing disease.
5. Respect your body – Instead of focusing on that perfect butt you are trying to achieve, obsessing over a 6 pack, or comparing yourself to the girls on the magazines, workout because of the way it makes you FEEL. This will help change your mindset, and help you realize that our bodies are designed to do so many awesome things. Be grateful for that, and workout because you LOVE your body, not because you are trying to change it.