We all know some positive effects of working out beside the fact that "it's good for you." This is not based on scientific hypotheses or anything that I haven't experienced.
1. Lifts your mood
Every time I was a bit hormonal, my mom would tell me to work out. Since I'm as stubborn as a mule, I would never listen to her, resulting in an argument. Eventually, I gave in and would come back in a much better mood. Now, whenever I feel the same way, I just go exercise.
2. Builds self-esteem
You really don't start noticing it until you've gone to the gym a couple of times in a row and not just sporadically- maybe going one or twice a week then taking a month off. You feel a lot more confident in your own body and this results in being in a better mood.
3. Reduces stress
If you have a big test or date coming up, try working out. It takes your mind off of things for a bit and you can go back to whatever you were doing with a clear mind like it's a new day.
4. Reduces joint pain.
Sometimes I have pain in my joints and I think it's because of my lack of exercise. Ever since I started working out, I haven't noticed anything that feels uncomfortable in quite a while.
5. Improves eating habits.
After you workout, you're not going to want to eat a meal that's unhealthy so you maybe have smaller portions or salad instead. No one goes to the ice cream shop after a good workout do they? No, you will usually find them getting a smoothie or an acai bowl.
6. Improves your skin/ complexion.
Since you're releasing those toxins when you sweat, your skin feels and looks much better after a couple of workouts. Of course, this doesn't take the place of doing your daily skincare routine, but it definitely helps. Your skin may not look its best when you're actually doing those workouts, but trust me when I say it does wonders. You'll get that highlight glow without letting a brush touch your face.
7. Lessens fatigue
Working out- in the morning especially — makes you feel less tired. Your body is ready to take on the day and you're not reaching for the coffee at 2 in the afternoon.
8. Boosts Metabolism
To avoid the complicated answer, running and lifting weights, for example, boosts your metabolism. Not only does it regulate how many calories you burn per day, but it also adds muscle mass.
9. Builds Muscle Mass
Okay, this one's a bit more obvious than the others but exercise builds muscles, nonetheless. Of course, lifting weights increases muscle mass but what you may not have known is that cardio can also build muscles. The key to a good, muscle- building cardio workout is intensity, not duration.
10. Boosts your Immune System
When you're sweating like a pig, you're letting out a bunch of things like viruses and all the bad stuff. It also causes changes in your white blood cells so they can detect diseases quicker -but we won't get into how any of that works. Nonetheless, you'll find yourself getting sicker less often.
11. Sharpens Memory
Because you're receiving more oxygen to your brain, your memory tends to get better.
12. Improves daily outlook
If you're like me, you hate when you feel like your life is messy and your thoughts are all jumbled. When you work out on a daily basis, you feel like your life is a little bit more routine and organized.
13. Keeps you focused
When you exercise as part of your routine, it keeps you focused on what's important. You don't want to get preoccupied with things that you really shouldn't be doing like binging a Netflix show when you have studying to do.
14. Improves Balance and Coordination
I'm not necessarily the most graceful person- never really paying attention to where I'm walking- but ever since I started exercising on a daily basis, my proneness to falling or rolling my ankle-which I've done a lot- has decreased.
15. Enhances Quality of Life
Since your complexion is flawless, your confidence and self-esteem are at their all-time high, and you have a routine to your day. You feel like your life is kinda coming together and you get to enjoy the little things that you might not have noticed before. You'll definitely remember that one compliment someone gave you.
16. *Bonus*
You get to find new songs to workout to and your taste in music may branch out a little. Once you start working out on the daily, you're not gonna want to listen to the same 20 old songs you once had on that dusty gym playlist.
