There’s a lot more to be gained from living a healthy lifestyle besides muscles, macros and a nice butt. While being able to feel changes in your body based on what you’ve eaten and your water intake is nice, your mental strength increases as well. Here’s a few things I’ve learned while choosing to be healthier:
1. Vegetables really are cheaper.
Whether it’s a carrot, an onion, a spaghetti squash or a potato, chances are it is probably cheaper overall than the Number 2 with a Coke at McDonald’s. Especially with things like farmer’s markets and Walmart, it is much cheaper than some bags of chips or boxes of pre-flavored pasta.
2. Patience is a virtue
Nothing drives someone more than to reach their desired outcome. In fitness, it takes a lot of time and effort to see changes. Pictures and measurements are your best friends, and the scale is your worst enemy. You learn some serious patience while practicing a good strict diet and counting each rep and set.
3. Balance brings you peace
Not everyone has to count macros or lift weights to be healthy. But the balance that comes from choosing what muscle group you’re going to work that day, and the feeling of accomplishment when you’ve hit your macro goals brings an overwhelming sense of peace to a person.
4. Priorities
If you’re reading this, you’re probably in college or know someone who is, and with college comes partying. But when you invest so much time into yourself and being the person you have always wanted to be, your priorities get set straight and you realize that partying isn’t all that cool or worth setting yourself back and letting yourself down.
5. Mental Strength
When your weight feels too heavy and you have 3 reps left, it is your mind that stops you. Your muscles can do it - they’ve done it before many times - but your want to give up is what stops you. Receptive reps, sets, and cycles teaches you to listen to yourself and tune it out when it’s only hindering you. This ability to listen to yourself comes in handy in every aspect of life, not just hitting a new PR.
