Fitness and exercise is something you either love or hate but either way you know you have to get it done. Whether you actually make the time for it or not is another story. As a nationally certified fitness trainer and former fitness competitor I love working out. To me it is a staple of my day just as much as eating or sleeping would be. What I hope to do within the next few words you read is to make you love the process too. In the very least, I’m here to help you understand how fitness can shape the rest of your life.
Mood
We lead busy lives that seem to get busier every year. No matter if you’re an executive, a CEO of a Fortune 500, or a mom trying to juggle the day there are times when you can feel overwhelmed.
Stress creeps in tightening your muscles, constricting your chest, and maybe even giving you a headache. Your mood sours and you begin to lash out at people…maybe even people you love.
Or maybe it’s not stress but depression. A singular black cloud encompasses your every waking thought until you crawl off to bed because you just can’t function.
We all have bad moods from time to time. What you don’t want to do is wallow in them. Getting yourself to the gym, or working out at home, will help you unwind by releasing these wonderful little chemicals called endorphins.
As you activate your muscles, get your sweat on, and change your focus for 30 minutes you’ll feel your stress melt away and the cloud of depression begin to lift.
Energy
An energy slump in the middle of the day, or at the end of a long day, can leave you feeling like you just can’t accomplish any tasks. The “to-do” list goes unchecked for the day and piles up waiting for you tomorrow.
Making time for fitness in your life will boost your energy keeping you alert and ready to tackle whatever is in front of you. How can you fit in exercise when you have no energy? Simple answer: just do it!
Set a pair of running shoes by the bed and get up a little early to take a 20 minute jog in the morning. Pack a gym bag and leave it in your car so that you can go directly from the office to the gym. Make fitness a priority and it will be.
That goes for a healthy diet as well. If your energy slumps after lunch it’s likely because you’re not eating right in the morning. Take time to have a healthy breakfast and skip the sugary options like donuts or bagels. You can drink coffee all day but nothing revives your energy like getting your blood flowing with a brisk walk.
Self-Esteem
Your clothes fit better, your skin is glowing, and your face is radiant because you’re smiling. And you’re smiling not only because you feel better, but because you’re proud of yourself for accomplishing your goals.
The gym is like life itself. The more work you put in the better results you’ll get. A solid fitness program has a way of increasing self-esteem through that sense of “I did that” which you can carry into other aspects of your life. I always say that fitness is the cornerstone to life because of this exact reason.
Clarity
When I’m stressed, down, or lost my training partner always asked me “Have you been to the gym today?” That’s because she knew that once I got inside my sanctuary, and focused my thoughts on the goal in front of me, that all the other stuff would melt away.
There’s magic in focusing on moving your body and pushing your limits. You’re at one with yourself and your thoughts become clearer. Does it have to be in a gym? No. Go out for a hike, go surfing, do some yoga, whatever it is that makes you enjoy the process.
As a writer I’ve had more than one idea spring to life while I was in a fitness class or lifting weights. The goal is to drive out the noise and the demons in your head and let your creative spark take charge. You’ll be surprised at what kind of clarity you receive.
Discipline
My favorite part of a fit life and another reason why I said it is the cornerstone. It takes discipline to see the change you want in your physical body. Discipline to start, discipline to push through when it gets difficult, discipline to keep going even with a million other things vying for your attention.
This discipline is carried over into your business, your relationships, your dreams and goals. Once you gain your clarity, energy, and momentum from consistent training you can focus clearly on what you want to accomplish in the other areas of your life. But to break down the old and build up the new it takes discipline.
Health
Last but not least is your health. If you don’t know by now, you should. Exercise is one of the best ways to prevent things like heart disease, osteoporosis, dementia, and more. When you give your body what it needs to thrive it’ll give back to you in ways you probably never thought it was capable. But when you push yourself in the gym you are rewarded outside as well. You’ll feel better, look better, and have more energy and more desire to pursue a long, full life.
So what are you waiting for? Start today!