Honestly, I was planning to post a different article today. However, after reading this post on NerdFitness.com I became inspired and wanted to jump on this meme. I’ve often counted the many reasons why I like excerise for health reasons (e.g. burning calories or building muscle) but there are so many more reasons than just that. Here’s my short list of why I keep doing what I’m doing. I’d love to hear a sample of yours as well.
Vanity – Frankly, one of the biggest reasons I started exercising was because I wasn’t happy with the way I looked. I’ve read countless stories of people who have turned their lives around after seeing an unflattering or surprising picture of themselves. The same thing happened to me 3 years ago. Maybe one day I’ll let some people see my awful picture :] The bottom line is that I had let myself go and wanted to see a drastic change in the mirror. Now, I still desire improvements in my physique and workout to see those results. Maybe this isn’t the best reason to stay active but it is an honest one.
Performance – One of my absolute favorite things to do with my free time is to play Ultimate Frisbee. I play recreationally and I’d like to think competively. Once I made it on to my first club team I made my workouts a priority. I know I needed to get better at virtually every aspect of the sport (still do) and there was only one way to do this: work for it. I now do sprints for speed, leg routines for jumping and cutting, upperbody and core workouts for improved pulling/throwing/stability and longer runs for endurance. Ultimate can really reveal where your body is weakest.
Fun – Call me crazy, but I think most forms of exercising is just fun. When I was first starting out and was unfamiliar with the needed motions to properly perform the routines I definitely experienced my share of frustration. But learning and mastering a new skill, especially one that is so beneficial, is really, really a fun way to spend an afternoon.
Health – Oh yeah, I almost forgot! Working out is supposed to be good for our bodies, isn’t it? Whether you enjoy running, weight training, swimming or yoga, all forms of exercise provide your body with more health benefits than you could imagine. People would kill for a “magic pill” that could solve heart problems, weight problems and cancer wouldn’t they? Well that solution is here and it’s free. So many people don’t take advantage of the single best thing they can do for their bodies and we’re all suffering for it.
Eat more – I’m sorry to say this but I like eating. I like it a lot. The more I exercise, the higher my metabolism is and the more I can eat without it turning to fat. Science is magic!
Socialize – Through running, Ultimate and the gym, I have met tons of awesome people that I wouldn’t otherwise have had the chance to meet. Hanging out with them as we run or lift together is definitely a highlight of my week.
Confidence – Aside from looks, strength, and skill, exercising just provides me with more confidence throughout my day. Even if I bailed out of a lift or had a terrible run and had to throw in the towel, I can still leave with my head held high. Knowing that you attempted something difficult and tested the limits of your body feels great and can teach you a lot about yourself.
(photo by U.S. Army)
