Did you make New Year’s fitness resolutions this year? If you’re having a difficult time sticking with it, or even if it has completely fallen to the wayside, don’t despair. Even the best-laid resolutions can lose steam by spring. We’re here to ask you not to give up on your fitness resolutions, and instead to find a little motivation in our list of ten reasons why you should stick with them.
1. You’ll have more energy.
It may seem opposite of what you would expect, after all, working out can drain your energy, but regular exercise can actually make you feel more energized throughout the day. Just imagine how you’ll feel—and what you can accomplish—when you actually have energy at the end of the day instead of simply wanting to collapse when you got home!
2. You’ll have better posture.
Having good posture is important, and one of the best ways to fix your posture is by exercising the muscles holding you back. Regularly exercising your abs, back, shoulder, neck, and other muscles can go a long way toward fixing your posture, both sitting and standing. Improving your posture will reduce strain and fatigue on your body and make doing the things you love a little easier on you.
3. You’ll reduce your body fat and strengthen your muscles.
This is something that generally motivates people to create fitness resolutions in the first place. The idea of having less fat and stronger muscles is appealing to many. Set aside the physical aesthetics of things, and there are many other benefits to regular exercise. Increased flexibility, higher self-esteem, clothes fitting well, different styles fitting even better, healthier skin, better breathing, and stronger bones just to name a few.
4. You’ll boost your confidence.
Exercise can certainly improve your appearance, which can lead to an improved confidence, but there’s really more to it than just looks. Regular exercise can also help you feel stronger, more accomplished, and give you a positive attitude. Mix all of that together, and your fitness resolutions can now give you a big ol’ confidence boost.
5. You’ll reap the benefits of improved health.
Regular exercise makes your heart and bones stronger, lowers your risk for chronic disease right along with your blood pressure, keeps your weight under control and reduces feelings of anxiety and depression. Top that off with the boosted energy and confidence we mentioned above, and you really can’t say no to continuing on with those fitness resolutions.
6. You’ll add years to your life…and life to your years.
It’s as simple as this: People who exercise live longer. Even better, by exercising regularly those added years will be happy ones. Studies have found that people who exercise feel happier, more excited and had more enthusiasm for life than their couch-potato peers.
7. You’ll de-stress.
Everyone has stress in their lives, and stress can really wreak havoc with your mind; exercise is a great way to combat it. Besides releasing endorphins that are natural stress fighters, getting yourself into a regular fitness regimen will help keep your mind off of the things that cause you stress.
8. You’ll sleep better.
If you struggle with falling to sleep at night or are a restless sleeper, regular exercise can help you sleep better. The National Sleep Foundation says that working out in the morning will actually help you sleep deeper and fall asleep faster at night, increasing your chances at a good night’s rest. Think of how great you will feel when you’ve had a good sleep and are ready to take on the world, instead of being drowsy and sluggish.
9. You’ll have better sex.
That one caught your attention, didn’t it? It’s true, studies have shown that regular exercise can increase arousal. There’s no need to go into further detail; we can tell we have you hooked now.
10. You’ll improve your mood.
All of that put together equals a much happier you. Sticking to your fitness resolutions by exercising regularly and following a healthy diet can improve your life in oh-so-many ways!