Top 6 Reasons to Exercise

Do you plan to start a workout program year after year, only to fall off the wagon after a week or a month? It's a pretty common dilemma. To help you keep on working out week after week, month after month, here are the top ten reasons to start and keep exercising.

1. You'll look good

We may live in a world full of overly-thin men and women in the media, but there's really no denying that slim, fit folks are (by and large) much more attractive than overweight and obese folks. Want to look better for your honey? Want to attract some potential honeys? A little exercise can go a long way to firm and tone your body.

2. Improve your attitude

Regular exercise can make your whole outlook on life change, and it's not just from the feeling of accomplishment you'll get as you reach your fitness goals. Regular exercise releases endorphins and helps increase serotonin levels. Both of these lovely chemicals just make us feel... well... GOOD!

3. Disease Prevention

The list of ailments and diseases positively effected by regular exercise and overall fitness is nearly endless. A few of the heavy-hitters include: high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, obesity, and osteoporosis.

4. Increased Energy

The research is clear on this one. Counter to what we may think, exercise makes us more energetic, not less. You may feel tired after a good workout, but regular exercise has been shown to reduce overall fatigue levels across the board - even for people suffering with depression and chronic medical conditions. Feeling run down? Lace up your sneakers!

5. Increased Follow-Through

Finding success with meeting your fitness goals can lead to success in all corners of your life. Successfully completing a 90-day, 6-month, or year-long exercise program builds confidence in your ability to set goals and reach them. This confidence and experience, coupled with you newly able body and mind will turn you into an unstoppable goal-reaching machine!

6. Social Opportunities

Not only will regular exercise leave you svelte and attractive - drawing more people to interact with you in social situations, the confidence that you build through regular exercise will leave you in top social form, as well! Additionally, as your physical capabilities improve, you'll find many opportunities to combine exercise and social activity. Join a running club, a cycling group, or a weekly pick-up game down at the courts. You'll build strong relationships and connect with all sorts of people.

With any luck, these six reasons have motivated you to either START exercising, or to KEEP exercising. The benefits FAR outweigh the sacrifices, and before you know it, you'll feel like a whole new person.

Rick Young is a big geek and fitness nerd who has seen great P90X results. He now spends time coaching others to help them reach their fitness goals.