Top Ten Reasons to Exercise That Has Nothing To Do With Weight Loss

You’ve been told a hundred times that exercise is good for you, and it’s true—but it’s good for a lot more than just losing weight or building muscle. In fact, when it comes to losing weight, exercise is the least effective in dropping pounds.

Being overweight or having 10 to15 pounds comes down to what you put in your mouth rather than a lack of exercise. While physical activity is beneficial for reducing stress and making us feel good it is also useful in reducing the risk of developing heart disease, dementia and other health conditions, however it “does not promote weight loss”, especially when your diet is not consistent with whole, nutritious foods.

In the past 30 years, obesity has sky rocketed, there has been little change in physical activity levels in the western population. This places the blame for our expanding waistlines directly on the type and amount of calories we consume.

Since the increase of waists over the years, there is a myth linking a lack of physical exercise and obesity. Simply put; you cannot outrun or out exercise a bad diet.

I always teach my clients who want to avoid excess weight gain that they should adopt a diet that is high in protein, healthy fats, fresh fruits and vegetables but low on sugar, carbohydrates and processed foods. If your diet does not make you FEEL good then changes need to be made. When what you eat makes you feel good then your health will improve and the weight will fall off naturally.  It’s that simple.

A healthy lifestyle will include both a balanced diet and exercise. When you eat well and move more you will live longer. Exercise is an important component to our over all health however the focus should not be on weight loss.

Here are 10 reasons to exercise aside from losing weight:

1.   You will be Happier – Regular exercise can actually improve your life in so-many ways. All you need to do is make it a habit. Have you ever noticed that your mood significantly improves on days that you exercise? Find time in your day to fit a quick workout into your daily routine and you will lead a healthier and happier life!

2.   You will improve your memory – Not only is your brain getting more energy and oxygen, but many studies have shown that exercise can boost your memory and improve your learning.

3.   Improve Your Posture – Increasing the strength and flexibility of your abs, back, and other supporting muscles can go a long way into fixing your posture.

4.   Increase Your Confidence – Obviously, exercise can improve your appearance, which can also lead to improving your confidence. Exercise can also help you feel more accomplished, even if you don’t see immediate results.

5.   Decrease Stress – We all have stress in our lives, whether it’s the occasional rough day or a more serious, chronic problem. Stress can really wreak havoc with your mind, but studies have shown that exercise is a great way to combat it. Not only are those endorphins natural stress-fighters, but also getting yourself into that exercise groove helps get your mind off the things stressing you out.

6.   Improved Sleep – If you ever have trouble falling asleep at night, regular exercise can help you sleep better. The best time to work out is in the morning or late afternoon, rather than right before bed. If you exercise too close to bedtime, it can actually affect your quality of sleep.

7.   Increased Energy – Regular exercise will actually make you feel more energized throughout the day. In fact, one study found that exercising in the middle of the day can leave you feeling more energetic and productive for the rest of the afternoon.

8.   Increase Libido – Studies show that regular exercise can increase arousal and decrease men’s risk for erectile dysfunction, likely because exercise improves circulation, which is important for sex!

9.   You will Get Sick Less Often – Nobody likes getting sick, and exercise can help. Studies have found that people who exercised regularly were half as likely to get a cold than people who didn’t.

10.  You will Live Longer – It’s no secret that healthy living will keep you alive longer. One study found that exercise improves life expectancy as much as quitting smoking. Sitting all day is killing you—and just a bit of regular exercise can make a huge impact on your longevity.

Learn more about weight loss through my Classic Whole Food Lifestyle Transformation Plan