For those who have said, "I know I SHOULD be exercising."

“I know I should be exercising” is often something people confess to me once they find out I’m a personal trainer. According to the Department of Health and Human Services only 1 in 3 American adults are getting the recommended amount of physical activity each week (CDC recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise MOST days of the week, BTW). Are you someone who knows they should be doing more (or at least SOME) physical activity? If so, you are probably already aware of the major benefits of exercise - longevity, lower risk or heart disease and certain cancers, lower risk of obesity, increased bone density and lower stress... But maybe you need MORE convincing? Here is a little list of 10 UNEXPECTED reasons to be exercising more.

Brain Function

Want to keep neurons firing at great speeds? Exercise increases blood flow throughout your entire body, and blood supply to your brain means better cognitive function and decreased memory loss. Also, the simple act of recalling sets, reps, weights while strength training has been linked to improvements in memory in older adults.

Sex Life

An increase in flexibility, endurance, and body awareness goes a long way... in bed. So if you are looking to spice things up a bit, get in touch with your own body first. The more comfortable you are with you, the more comfortable you can be with someone else.

Sleep

I often have clients tell me they sleep better after our sessions. It's true! After a vigorous workout your body cools down at a rate that can send you off to dreamland easily. But think about it, if you are spending the entire day sitting you may not have exerted enough energy to make your body tired. Have you ever noticed how well your kids sleep after running around at the park all afternoon?

Energy Levels

I know it’s hard to rally after a long day, but exercise can actually boost your energy levels. A University of Georgia study showed that people could lower their fatigue by 65% if they started engaging in regular low intensity exercise. So skip the trip to Starbucks and take a half hour to go for a brisk walk instead!

PMS Factors

Moody during that time of the month? A decrease in anger, depression, and irritability associated with PMS can be brought about by engaging in regular cardio activity. Aim for that 30 minutes of moderate exercise a few times a week and hormonal swings may not be so intense.

Creativity

Exercising outdoors in particular is thought to boost creativity, and you don't have to be an artist to benefit from a creative boost. It can help with work, cooking, gardening, home decor, parenting...the list goes on.

Vision

Cardiovascular exercise is one of the best ways to fight vision loss. In one study, active mice kept twice as many retinal neurons as mice who were kept inactive. Do it for your eyes!

Money

Exercise is pretty cheap compared to healthcare costs. It's estimated that for each dollar we sped on preventative health like exercise and nutrition it saves $2.71 in future health costs. It saves to stay fit.

Back Pain Relief

Back pain is probably THE most common ailment my clients suffer from. It is alarming how many healthy people are living with chronic pain! One of the major causes? Inactivity. Sitting for hours out of your day can wreak havoc on your back. The right kinds of exercises can help relive that pain and prevent future back problems.

Higher Self Esteem

There is no doubt that exercise makes you feel better about yourself. And if you feel better about yourself just think of the things you might accomplish? Exercise for the sake of lifting yourself up to a higher level... not just physically, but mentally and emotionally too. You deserve it!