The Why List… 10 Reasons to Exercise

1. You want to fight disease. Exercise reduces your risk of a number of conditions, such as cancer, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
2. You want to lose weight and keep it off. This is a given, but it means that people who maintain weight loss work out regularly. They don’t just exercise until the weight comes off, then go back to being a couch potato. If you really want a thinner, healthier body, there is no way to avoid being active.
3. You want to look better. Exercise doesn’t just help you lose weight; it also firms the body, improves posture and gives the skin a glow.
4. You’re always annoyed and sapped of energy. Research has shown that just 1 exercise session can put you in a better mood for at least 3-4 hours. It’s also a documented fact that exercise combats depression, sometimes as effectively as medication.
5. You take too many sick days. If you’re looking for a way to reduce colds and upper respiratory infections, a good fitness program is key.
6. You have joint pain. The right kind of exercise can reduce the pain of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis by strengthening the muscles around the damaged joints.
7. You have a bad back. Once upon a time, people with bad backs were urged to avoid physical activity. We now know that, in most cases, the best thing you can do is move.
8. You don’t sleep well. Even though exercise is energizing, it also wears you out. It’s a paradox, I know, but eventually you will feel more vibrant during the day and sleep better at night.
9. You want to slow the effect of aging. Exercise is one of the msot effective ways to fight aging. Regular workouts drastically reduce the loss of muscle and bone, and improve circulation. Exercise may also help stave off age-related diseases.
10. You love your kids. When you care about yourself–and exercising is a sign that you do–you are doing your kids a favor by setting a good example. If you’re active, there’s a better chance that your kids will be active, too. Plus, you’re more likely to be around longer for them.