While getting to the gym and working out can seem like a grueling task, there are many reasons to be fit. Being fit not only improves your overall health and physical appearance, but it also strengthens you mentally: your mood, attitude, and how you feel about yourself. Exercising can sometimes feel like another chore to accomplish on your long list of things to do, but keeping fit is the key to achieving a healthy balance in life. So the next time you’re thinking of skipping your workout, remember these seven beneficial gains and reasons to be fit.
Snapshot Survey
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Please subscribe for your personalized newsletter:
To Help You Sleep
The first reason to be fit is that exercising helps you sleep. There’s nothing more frustrating than going to bed and not being able to fall asleep. Usually this is because your body and mind are not tired enough to shut down. Getting a good workout in the day results in your muscles feeling tired at night, triggering a message to your brain that your body needs to sleep and regenerate. So stop counting sheep, and remedy the situation by being fit.
By engaging in regular physical activity, you also improve your sleep quality. This is crucial because quality sleep is not only about the hours spent in bed—it's about how deep and restful those hours are. Exercise can increase the amount of deep sleep you achieve, allowing for better healing and restoration of your body, as well as a clearer mind the next day. Moreover, consistent fitness routines can help regulate your body's internal clock, making it easier to fall asleep and wake up naturally, without the grogginess. Embrace the evening calm that comes with fitness, and let your nighttime be a true respite.
/filters:quality(70)/thumbs/18/miojrbxgapn74pwd1uzlmx_1080x1333.jpg)
To Gain More Energy
Though your legs might feel like they’re about to fall off after the run you just had, being fit enhances your energy level overall. This is because exercising improves your muscle strength, cardiovascular system, and boosts your endurance. Therefore, the stronger your muscles, lungs, and heart are, the less likely you are to feel fatigued while going about your daily activities. As previously stated, being fit also helps you sleep, which in turn results in having more energy throughout the day. All in all, the more you keep fit, the more energy you’ll have.
Regular physical activity essentially serves as a natural energy booster, helping you feel more awake and alert. When you engage in exercise, your body releases endorphins, often referred to as the 'feel-good hormones', which can leave you feeling revitalized and ready to tackle challenges. Plus, the more consistently you work out, the more your body adapts to increased activity levels, further enhancing your stamina and reducing the instances of midday slumps. It's a virtuous cycle – the energy you expend on fitness can pay back in dividends with sustained vitality and vigor for life's demands.
/filters:quality(70)/cover/53688ac1aab5a3eb796cec3c-grayscale-photo-of-man-working-out-health.jpg)
To Eat Healthier, Naturally
After a good workout, the last thing I want to do is eat something greasy or fattening. With your heart beating so fast, and the sweat pouring down after your workout, the only thing your body will crave is thirst-quenching liquids, and foods that are nourishing and revitalizing. That means healthy foods: like fruits and vegetables, and essential carbs that are needed to keep your energy up. So dieting becomes a thing of the past if you keep fit.
Your body becomes a finely-tuned machine, and just as a high-performance engine runs best on premium fuel, your body starts to prefer the good stuff. You'll naturally gravitate towards lean proteins, whole grains, and complex carbohydrates that sustain your newfound energy levels. In fact, you'll begin to notice how processed foods and sugars can make you feel sluggish, steering you towards choices that complement your fitness routine. This isn't about a temporary diet, but a lifestyle change that leads to lasting benefits, both inside and out.
/filters:quality(70)/thumbs/90/9699mdeeqlt6pop6r7s60h_1080x1350.jpg)
To Feel Good about Yourself
It’s that great feeling you get after completing a workout. That feeling when you realize that you’ve accomplished something amazing. That, «I did it!», moment. Sure, being fit means becoming sweaty, having sore muscles, and sometimes doubting yourself, but if you keep at it the end results are only beneficial. Working out and taking care of yourself is a good feeling, and you should be very proud for taking the initiative to do so.
When you push through the burn and see the fruits of your labor in the mirror or how your clothes fit better, it's a boost for your self-esteem. Being fit isn't just about looking good; it's about feeling powerful and in control of your health and happiness. Each time you choose a salad over fries or go for that run instead of binge-watching TV, you're building not just muscle but character and discipline. These traits spill over into other areas of your life, making you not just physically stronger, but mentally resilient as well. And doesn't that just make you feel fantastic?
/filters:quality(70)/fitness/thumbs/yv/jz/zx8c6pwa_400x400.jpg)
To Wear Cute Workout Clothes
There’s no denying it - workout clothes are cute. They look good on any body type/shape because of their elastic material, and they’re also very comfortable to wear. Workout clothes are so comfy that I find myself putting them on even if I’ve made no plans to exercise that day. And each time, by the end of the day, I’ve surprised myself with completing a workout, merely because of the fact that I’m already wearing the gear and I feel good in it. Try it for yourself one day.
Fashion has a way of inspiring action, and when it comes to fitness, this couldn't be truer. Slipping into those figure-flattering leggings and the vibrant sports bra instantly ups your motivation. You catch a glimpse of yourself looking like a fitness model and you can't help but want to live up to the part. It's a psychological nudge towards embracing an active lifestyle. Moreover, the fashion-forward designs and technologically advanced fabrics of modern athletic wear make sweating it out both a stylish and smart choice. Who would have thought that dressing the part might just be the push you need to start your fitness journey?
/filters:quality(70)/fitness/thumbs/nx/a3/etjuzcud_400x400.jpg)
Happiness depends upon ourselves.
To Relieve Stress
If you’ve had a stressful day at work, or you’re stuck in traffic, there’s no better way to relieve that stress than to exercise. Working out is a great way to take all of your anger and frustration out in a positive and beneficial way. So go for a run, go kick-boxing, or take your dog out for a walk. Work it out and do your thing. In the end, exercising will clear your mind and leave you feeling less tense.
Exercise not only calms the mind but also triggers the release of endorphins, often referred to as happy hormones. These natural mood lifters can help improve your outlook, making challenges seem more manageable. Additionally, engaging in rhythmic, repetitive workouts can induce a state of flow, which is similar to meditation. During this state, you're fully focused on the activity at hand, allowing worries to fade away. Post-workout, you're likely to feel a sense of accomplishment, boosting your self-esteem and helping you tackle the rest of your day with renewed vigor. So, when life gets overwhelming, remember that a good sweat session could be your best ally for emotional equilibrium.
/filters:quality(70)/fitness/thumbs/bc/cc/agq1k3zz_400x400.jpg)
To Improve Your Life Overall
Being fit not only benefits your life presently, but it also helps you out in the long run. Years from now, when you have kids, or your kids have kids, you’ll be grateful that you took the time to exercise. You’ll find that you have the strength, energy, and mind-set to do the things that you’ve always liked to do in your younger years. Whether it’s going hiking, taking your grandchildren to the park, or going for a walk, your activities will be limitless if you keep fit. So taking care of yourself now results in living a healthy lifestyle later.
These are just a few reasons why you should be fit. While many of us exercise to shed the pounds and control our weight, don’t forget about these other seven important and beneficial gains. What are your initiatives to be fit? What do you find is the most rewarding thing about keeping fit?
Feedback Junction
Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge