It is so easy to put off exercising for another day. And it is so difficult to get started on a new exercise program. Why? Because we often look at exercise as if it is work or an obligation. We would rather go home after work and watch our favorite television show or surf the net than go to the gym or go for a run. Also, we are typically motivated by weight loss alone. It is easy to say "I’ve been over weight for this long, so one more day really doesn’t matter." We tell ourselves, "I will start my new diet and workout program tomorrow." The problem is that tomorrow comes and tomorrow goes and we tell ourselves the same things over and over.

The truth is that nobody, other than yourself, can make you start a new workout plan. More importantly, nobody can keep you on that workout plan, but yourself. This article aims to give you more reasons to get motivated and to demonstrate that exercising is not only the "right" thing to do, but also something you want to do in order to make every day of your life more enjoyable. Some of the benefits you gain from working out are listed below.

Anti-aging
When you get to your "middle" years, you start to see things deteriorate a bit. The belly is a little bigger, the joints are a little weaker, the stairs are a little higher, and the sex drive is a little slower. When you gain even more years, things get worse. However, exercise can help you fight the negative effects of aging. Think about these bits of information when you consider aging:
1) Exercise raises growth hormone and testosterone, which helps fight aging.
2) Aerobic capacity (fitness level and fitness capability), max heart rate, and recovery time decreases as you get older, but exercise can help combat these trends.
3) As you get older, your muscles weaken. This has an adverse affect on your metabolism and it becomes more difficult to maintain your weight. Building muscle through weight training or cardio-vascular exercise will help keep muscles strong and help keep the weight off.
4) Exercise reduces the risk of health problems such as stroke, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and cancer.
5) Exercise strengthens bones and may help prevent osteoporosis.

Weight Loss
Yes, weight loss is often our main goal when starting a workout plan. I often hear people say things like, "I didn’t go for my workout today, but I only ate one meal to make up for it." Skipping meals during the day will actually decrease your metabolism and possibly lead to binging. The only long-term solution to weight control is exercising and eating right. Think about this when considering exercise and weight loss:
1) Cardio-vascular workouts burn excess fat and calories.
2) Weight training helps build muscle mass, which raises your metabolic rate and increases the amount of calories burned at rest.
3) Combining the benefits of cardio-vascular and weight training workout plans, will help you lose weight and maintain your desired weight level.

Be Happy
Do you leave work everyday exhausted? Do the kids wear you out by lunchtime? Do you sometimes have problems sleeping? Do you often feel depressed? Consider the following points and think about whether or not exercise could help you lead a happier life?
1) Increasing your fitness level, or aerobic capacity, gives you the ability to make it through the day while expending less energy. This means that a person who is fit will be more likely to remain upbeat, energetic, and positive as the day wears on.
2) Exercise helps combat insomnia, so you rest better.
3) Exercise helps fight stress and tension, which will improve your mood at work and home.
4) Climbing stairs, walking to the office from the parking garage, and toting groceries from the car to the house can contribute to your end-of-day exhaustion. If your aerobic capacity is strong, these types of activities will be no sweat and you will still feel energetic at the end of the day.

Get Smart
We always think about exercise as something that is good for our weight, muscles, lungs, and heart. However, do you ever think about what effect it may have on your mind? Contemplate the following points and consider the positive effects exercise can have on your mind and mental capacity.
1) Studies suggest that individuals who exercise regularly may generate more newly formed neurons and improve memory.
2) Exercise may increase cognitive capacity. In other words, if you exercise regularly, you will be more apt to understand or comprehend new things and retain more information, increasing knowledge.

Therefore, exercise should not be considered a chore or looked at as work. Exercise makes life more enjoyable and makes people healthier. It helps us enjoy the things we do and the people around us. Don’t wait till tomorrow, start that workout plan today!

Author: Kelli Hairston, RD, LD

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