Is working out just a physical endeavor?
A way to lose weight, build muscle and strength, improve health, and look good naked…
Yeah, but it also is so much deeper than that.
We already know that working out is good for our bodies, inside and outside. Our appearance, immune systems, weight, muscles, organs, bones – but what does exercise do to our mental state? Our life?
Here are Tips to stick with the whole working out thing, and then some riffs to follow:
9 Tips to stick with this
- Start small 5 minutes per day is better then nothing: Go for a walk around the block, 100 push ups and squats – throw some pull ups in there.
- Know why you want to work out, have tons of reasons
- Commit to doing this daily.
- This isn’t a fad, it’s a lifestyle
- Exercise with intent: Quality over quantity
- Set your ego aside
- Slow is smooth and smooth is fast
- use an app like strava to track your progress
- Lotion is motion : instead of “rest days” have active recovery days: light yoga, a good walk, something to keep the body moving
Mental State
Exercise is a powerful mood booster and stress reliever, dumping our body’s natural “feel good” chemicals all into our brains (endorphins). A good workout can clear mental fog, sharpen focus, help process emotions and provide an outlet.
Discipline and Goal-Setting
Ever hear the saying how you do anything is how you do everything? Working out is no different. Sticking to a workout routine builds discipline that carries over into other areas of life. Setting and achieving fitness goals – whether it’s running a marathon or mastering a challenging yoga pose – gives us confidence to tackle other challenges. We learn to push through discomfort and delay gratification for long-term wins.
Time Management and Productivity
Making time for exercise forces us to prioritize and manage our schedules more effectively. Physical activity boosts energy levels and cognitive function, making us more productive in work and daily tasks – allowing us to put out more, in less time.
Social Connections
A group fitness class, joining a sports team, a fitness club, or finding a workout buddy, exercise can be a great way to build social connections – bringing joy into our lives and providing motivation and accountability for our fitness goals.
Putting on our “oxygen masks”
Exercise is like putting on our “oxygen masks” on before we help other people. It’s the number one rule when a plane is crashing.
Dedicating time to exercise is an act of self-care. It’s a way of saying “my health and wellbeing matter” – an extremely valuable mindset to have. As we become more in tune with our bodies, we may find ourselves making healthier food choices, prioritizing sleep, or pursuing other forms of personal growth.
Finding Your Path
The key is finding physical activities you genuinely enjoy. This might be traditional gym workouts, calisthenics, yoga, competitions, team sports, dance classes, outdoor activities like hiking or cycling, or a mix of different things. Experiment until you find what resonates with you.
Remember, consistency matters more than intensity. Small, regular efforts add up over time. Start where you are, be patient with yourself, and focus on progress rather than perfection. Cliché but it’s really about the journey, not the destination. Trust the process and be in it for the long haul.
You Pick
Regular exercise is more than just about the physical – it enhances mental clarity, boosts emotional wellbeing, and builds discipline that carries over into other areas of life… such a powerful tool.
Working out is something that we can control, we either do it or we don’t. The benefits are just too good to not do it: improving time management skills, deep social connections, and bringing overall personal growth (in all areas of life.)
The key is finding enjoyable physical activities and maintaining consistency. 1% better every day starts to add up.
By choosing to view exercise as more than just a physical activity, we can harness its power to transform not just our bodies, but our entire lives.
So lace up those sneakers, roll out that yoga mat,dive into that pool – whatever it is that you vibe with, your body, mind, and spirit will thank you.
Joe DiAndrea 