What Are Your Reasons to Be More Fit and Healthy?

Ambition To Be Healthy
06 Jun

Last Updated on June 6, 2017 by Michael Brockbank

Many people view health and fitness as a means to lose weight. While exercise and eating right will accomplish that goal, there is more to health than just looking good in the bathroom mirror. Humans are a visual species, but it shouldn’t be the only motivator. Seeing results is easier than feeling results. However, there are so many reasons to be fit and healthy.

Why Focus on Being Healthy?

In reality, keeping yourself healthy can seem like quite the full-time job. This is especially true when you start getting older. Aside from the metabolism slowing down, it just seems to take far more effort to keep yourself moving as the years pass.

Although it may require a bit of work and dedication, it’s worth the effort in the long run.

Living Longer

Better HealthOne of my biggest concerns is living longer. And I’m not just bringing it up because I am going through a mid-life crisis. Sure, hitting 40 didn’t help my mental state. But I don’t really intend on dying anytime in the near future.

Good health greatly reduces the chances of suffering from things like heart attacks and strokes. Even Alzheimer’s disease and other mental illnesses can be staved off with the right diet and exercise. With all the things that can affect your life, why be content with being overweight and out of shape?

I’m not trying to dive into fat shaming, or anything like that. But the reality of it is that being unhealthy and maintaining obesity greatly shortens the potential for life.

Here’s a bit of morbidity for you. If you die right now, will your family need a gurney or a forklift to get you out of your bedroom? A lot of people don’t really think about what happens to them when they die in this regard. How do you want others to find your body, really?

Anyway.

Living Happier

Thrill of ExerciseI bring up the effects of “Runner’s High” often on this website. That’s because of how intense workouts affect the human mind. During physical activity, the brain releases endorphins and other hormones that deliver a euphoric sensation. In essence, exercise makes you happy.

In fact, there are several ways that working out improves your mood. This scientifically proven fact is the reason why psychotherapists often suggest exercise routines as a treatment for depression and anger issues.

I’m not saying exercise will instantly cure you of depression. However, it will directly affect your state of mind in the short-term. You’ll still need to work at the root of what is causing your unhappiness. In the mean time, it doesn’t cost you anything to commit to a 30-minute routine to work up a sweat and calm the mind.

Improving Sex Life

IntimacyWhen some talk about sex and fitness, they’ll envision an attractive body to hold close. Now, physical attraction plays a big part in the sex lives of many. However, it’s not the only reason to jump on a treadmill once in a while.

Yes, building stamina to enjoy sex is another side effect of working out. Just like any other physical activity, making love benefits from “training” such as walking and running. Muscle definition and improving oxygen levels of various organs, and not just the goody parts, contributes to the experience.

One of the most prominent things to keep in mind when it comes to sex is the flow of blood. Taking the time to be healthy improves the cardiovascular system, which in turn heightens sexual prowess and desire thanks to increased blood flow. The more oxygen that is transmitted from brain to feet, the better.

Improving Career

Reduce StressA lot of people love their jobs. Most of these people are also good at their jobs. But not everyone is in the healthiest of condition.

Why is this important?

Being healthy doesn’t just affect muscle tissue and fat cells. It also directly affects the mind. Not only does exercise improve your mood, but it will also affect your cognitive abilities. Increasing physical activity increases the ability to think and reason. As a result, you’re better at making logical decisions as well as improving memory.

This means being healthy has potential to directly affect your performance at work. Regardless if you’re a laborer or sit at a desk 16 hours per day, cognitive functions are vastly important.

If you think you’re good at your job now, what could you accomplish if you were at optimal health?

Saving Money

Eating Healthy Saves MoneyFocusing on fitness and health will also save you money in a variety of ways. From the amount of groceries you buy every week to the expenses for health care, being in shape pays in spades.

Let’s take a look at some of the more obvious ways you can save money by being fit.

  1. Fewer groceries each week because you’ll eat proper portions
  2. Less money spent buying snacks or junk foods at the corner convenience store.
  3. Lower insurance premiums.
  4. Fewer sick days taken at work – which saves that time for when you really need it.
  5. Less travel expenses when you walk or ride your bike to work – which I used to ride more than five miles a day.

A lot of people have this misconception that dieting and working out costs more money thanks to fad diet plans and gym memberships. In reality, it doesn’t have to cost you a single dime.

Take me, for example. I’ve lost 50 pounds so far and most of my effort is in the form of walking and regular exercise routines. I still eat the same food I did before, just less of it. I also added a few fruits and veggies, but the weekly grocery costs are still far lower than they used to be.

For the Family

Family FitnessYour family should be at the top of the list in terms of motivation. One of my biggest fears is being unable to protect my children in the event of a disaster. And I’m not talking merely about a zombie apocalypse, either. Realistically, tornadoes and floods are more likely in our area.

Does poor health make you a burden to your family? I know some of you have conditions that prevent optimal health such as diabetes and other severe conditions. I’m talking about conditions that could be reduced or completely eliminated by being healthy.

By the end of 2016, I was a candidate for a heart attack. Another one of my biggest fears is having either my 12 or 10-year old daughters find me dead sitting at my desk. I empathize with how they would feel, and it destroys me. I refuse to let that feeling be a reality.

It’s More than Just Losing Weight

A lot of people will put effort into fitness to come off as natty. We all want to look spectacular, but good health does far more than just give you a reason to wear nice or revealing clothes. Take a moment and reflect the things you’ll gain from being in good shape. There is more at stake than your wardrobe.

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