As summer approaches and the weather starts to warm up, there's an increasing number of headlines popping up about "Getting That Hot Summer Bod" or "Workouts to Get You into Last Year's Bikini." While reading through one of these articles, it became apparent that these magazines believed that only reason anyone would ever decide to work out is to become thinner. In response to the lack of material out there regarding all the positive, non-physical-appearance-related reasons why you should get active, I decided to make a list of a few of my own.
1. Being Fit Feels Good
There's no better feeling than knowing that you are capable of achieving goals that you once thought impossible. For me, I never thought I would be able to run for over an hour without passing out or dying. But now I can, and at the end of every run when my chest is heaving and I can't seem to get enough air in my lungs -- I feel a strong sense of accomplishment that is unlike anything else.
2. Confidence
Every time I reach a new personal best serves as a reminder that I am capable of realizing my goals. Even if I'm not where I'd like to be, I am working toward it and making progress in a way that is beyond satisfying. I don't have to look in the mirror to feel more confident, as each workout leaves me feeling more capable and self-assured than the one before.
3. Taking Responsibility for Yourself
Sometimes it's easy to feel like you don't have any real control over your life. In the hustle of work, school, family, and friends, it can often appear as though we are caught in the tide of someone else's desires. My boss wants me to do this, my family wants me to do that -- but you're the only one in charge of your health. You're able to pick the healthy (or unhealthy) route every day, when you decide to take the stairs instead of the escalator or go to the gym instead of binge watching Netflix.
4. Peace of Mind
When you're in the middle of a really tough workout and you've passed the point where you feel like you're going to die, there's an eerie sense of quiet that settles inside of your head. The incessant worry that plagues you fades away until it's just the sound of your breath and the pounding of your feet on pavement. Everything goes quiet, and it's just you putting one foot in front of the other over and over again.
5. It's Fun... I Swear
While an eight-mile run on a track doesn't sound very stimulating, there are many alternatives that allow you to get active while having fun. Whether you're playing an intense game of soccer or capture the flag, you're usually having a blast and breaking a sweat at the same time. It's a bonding experience for everyone, and it keeps a workout interesting.
