Benefits of Working Out

Benefits of Working Out
Benefits of working out may seem pretty obvious to most but it took me a while to figure them out. As you all know, working out is very important to me. But it hasn’t always been important to me. Growing up, I didn’t do any other sports besides cheerleading. And when I did cheerleading, I didn’t put all my effort into it. I mean I was a great backspot but I never took the time to learn how to tumble or anything that was a bit more athletic. Hence, I was the typical ‘lazy teenager’. Never wanting to do anything, except sitting around watching TV, reading a book, or doing homework. When I turned 15, I started a job and that took up most of my free time. If I knew then what I know now about the benefits of working out or being physically active, my life could have been a bit different.
Its the funniest thing because my family was very into sports.
My mom did track and still runs (for fun… haha). My dad did track and basketball. And my older brother did track. Also, my little brother did football, basketball, and track. And my little sister did basketball, wrestling, and track! Then there’s me… cheerleading. So yeah, you would think that being into fitness and sports would be in my blood but I think it missed me… I mean I even hated gym class. I am not as coordinated as the rest of my family.
But now, at almost 30 years old, I am the healthiest, happiest, and in the best shape that I have ever been in! It took time and a LOT of patience. But working out has been extremely beneficial for me. The benefits of working out seem obvious to some but I know at first, I didn’t think these would help me BUT they really, really do! One HUGE reason why I love to work out is because my kids are watching. I want them to grow up to love physical activity as much as I do now.
Benefits of Working Out
- Lose Weight
- Better Mental Health
- Increased Confidence
- Increased Energy
Lose Weight
So everyone knows, if you work out, it can help you lose weight. You may gain some muscle which is weight but that fat loss will come first! Who doesn’t want to lose that stubborn fat? I know that was the one of my top reasons to start working out. I was a few months out from having Jackson and my tummy still looked like I was pregnant. It was not fun for me. I was naturally a thin child/teen so it was hard to see this.
Working out has increased my overall strength AND I don’t get winded walking up flights of stairs as badly as I used to. On my third cruise, we were on deck 1 and the fitness center was on deck 12. So my warm up would be taking those 12 flights of stairs ALL the way up and my cool down would be taking them all the way back down! On my first cruise, I know I could not have done that. Well, I was pregnant during that cruise. Haha!
Another great thing about working out is it can lower your risk of certain diseases, like diabetes and heart disease. A few years ago, my dad found out he has diabetes. He took the steps to change what he was eating and started being more active and he has been able to manage it which is amazing. His mother, my grandmother, died from diabetes, so I know that is his motivation!
Better Mental Health
Mental health has been something I struggled with for what feels like my whole life. One of my biggest issues is depression and anxiety. I tried being on antidepressants but they did not help. Truth is, they made me feel 100 times WORSE. So, after trying one a month after having my son (and feeling like I wanted to run away), I decided no more pills for me. But I knew that meant I needed to do something.
It took a few months to get into the flow but once I did, it helped SO much! I will be completely honest, rest days still tend to be hard for me. I try to take more of an active rest, do yoga or take the kids somewhere. In the summers, I change up my exercises and take the kids for a bike ride or a walk to the park. Winters are hard so I make sure to do a bit something on my rest days so I don’t get too depressed with the lack of sunlight and fresh air.
Increased Confidence
This one took a while for me and sometimes I still struggle with it. I have extra skin since having kids. It is something I know will not go away. I have been slowly accepting of this extra skin!
However, my confidence overall has improved so much since I started working out. I feel better about myself. I think a good sweaty workout helps because it shows how hard I worked! And hard works PAYS OFF!
Increased Energy
I love coffee and yes it does give me energy. However, I feel increased energy after working out! This benefit of working out has been HUGE for me as a stay at home mom. How many of us are SPENT by the time it hits 2pm? Well, if I workout in the late morning or early afternoon, my energy increases and I do not need coffee to get me to bedtime! And sleeping has been so much better since working out!
Bonus Benefit: Socializing
If you workout at the gym, this is definitely a benefit to working out. Being able to talk to others, cheer them on, and get that same motivation back is wonderful. I am not the most outgoing person. I would rather keep to myself BUT something about working out and feeling good has pushed me to be more outgoing. When I go to the gym, I only take classes. These classes help build my strength and also my confidence with talking to others. I have a few gym buddies who take the same classes as me and it is nice to chat in between sets about life and the workout its self. haha
I LOVE working out and I am a huge believer that exercise has a positive effect on your mental health. When I don’t get my 15,000 step a day I feel it physically and even emotionally. I am a much happier person when I get my workout in everyday!
I 100% agree!!
I played golf in middle and high school. And while it doesn’t sound like a physical sport, just know we had to walk the course (no golf carts allowed) and had to carry our clubs (no pull carts either). Then, in college, my husband and I started playing racquetball. It was just for fun, but such a great workout. I miss having a racquetball court easily accessible. I need to get back into working out again. I’ve been slacking with the cold weather because it leaves me completely unmotivated.
Racquetball would be so fun!
I’m fine with working out once I’m actually doing it, it’s the motivation to find time to do it that I lack. I always think, “Or I could take a nap.” Sigh. Naps, are so nice.
I totally get it! I always remind myself about how I feel afterward to push myself if I need it. 🙂
It took me a while to realize that working out would give me MORE energy. Before I got in the habit of working out I always assumed it would zap me of what energy I had. That was the exact opposite of what happens!
Yes!!
I def love it for being healthy! However, the increased energy is a huge bonus as well.
Definitely!
I am usually all about fitness in the summer, but struggle in the winter. I feel like all the benefits you mentioned are important to me. I love how much every energy I have when regularly working out.
Its tough in the winter, for sure.
I’ve just started working out again for the first time after being really sick and I’m noticing so many benefits!
Yay!
Haha, I am with you! SO not athletic as a child (hence always overweight) but when I went to college, I was SO afraid of the “frosh 15” that I became an athlete, and have never looked back.
That’s awesome!
I believe working out does so much good for your health! I really need to find more ways to incorporate exercise into my everyday routine.
This is such an important reminder! Too often we let our routines get in the middle and let the exercise drop and yet it’s so important to keep it up no only from a health but also mentally, thank you so much for sharing this great post!
Nice post..I Found your article very interesting and helpful.. Well explained.. Thanks for sharing this amazing information.
I can’t say I LOVE the working out part, but I do love how working out makes me feel. I love the increased energy and focus after I wrap up a session. I also love all the health benefits of just staying in motion throughout the day.
I started working out recently with a PT to help me gain weight and strength. Already feeling more energetic and happier.
I never tried going to the gym but I still want to lose weight silly right? hahaha but after reading the benefits it makes want to start exercising. Thank you for sharing this hope to read more of your blog.
Like!! Really appreciate you sharing this blog post.Really thank you! Keep writing.