Like most people, everyone knows that he or she should work out, but a lot of people don't. When most people tell another that they should, it's usually because of health; if I were to include that, it would be terribly cliche. Don't get me wrong, having good health and maintaining it is great, but there's so much more that can be gained from the time spent in the gym (or even your own home if you'd like). Working out can be considered lifting, running, biking, swimming, etc. Physical activity is working out. Make it fun, not a chore. Here are five positive reasons to work out that are far more motivating than just health.
1. Consistency
Yes, when most people start working out, including myself, it is hard. You usually have to force yourself out of bed or off the couch. Once you get there it's more of a, " Let's just get it over with," mindset than true enjoyment. But once you're able to keep going, it gets easier. You see the changes and you start to enjoy it, and if you don't, change the type of exercise you're doing. You learn to be consistent without making the dumbest of excuses. This overlaps into life as well. If you can't keep yourself consistent without others' encouragement, a lot of things can become difficult. And once you get into it, this will be you when someone makes a crazy excuse to miss...
2. Self Confidence
From all on this list, I believe this to be the most important. As before, at first, working out most likely won't be "fun." However, once you start to notice the tightening of your body, you'll know it's paying off. Once you start to notice what your body as well as your mind are capable of, you'll know it's paying off. This makes for a great motivator to keep at it. Body size and weight are not an indicator of fitness. Once you start to love your body for what it can do rather than only what it looks like, your self confidence gets a major boost.
3. Community
If you're like a lot of people and need that extra push and shove to get you going, it's totally available! There's an entire community of people in the fitness world that are there to motivate and inspire you. Not only can this be in the form of "professionals" on Instagram or Facebook, but also in the form of a friend. Working out with a friend makes the time go faster, keeps you consistent (don't want to skip out on them, do we?), and gives you positive motivation to let you know that you're doing great. Even if you work out alone (personal time, eh?), there's still online communities you can use to track your progress and collaborate and learn from. So many possibilities! And who doesn't want a squad like....
4. Inspiration
Once you start making progress, you can become an inspiration to those around you. Yep, inspiration isn't just in the form of fame. Whether you inspire friends, family, or a stranger, that's helping to change one person's outlook. If a "normal" person can do it, so can they. What's really important, however, is to not only inspire others, but yourself. Be your own inspiration as well. When you're having a bad day and think that life just sucks, you'll be able to look back and see how much progress you've made.
5. Positivity
This is a very varied side effect of working out. Not only does your mind become more positive, but your life follows as well. If you're a morning type, you get to start your day off with a burst of good-feeling endorphins as well as getting to wake up before your day really starts. If you're the afternoon or night type, you get to finish your tiring, long day off with a little you-time that is beneficial and gives the same endorphin boost which can relieve stress. So when all those bad things start happening, you know you have something to look forward to. It also gives you the confidence that you can make it through almost any seemingly difficult situation because not much can be more difficult than getting started at working out. The first step out the door is definitely the hardest. Don't worry, you'll get there sooner than you think!
