7 Life Changing Benefits of Regular Exercise
Regular exercise offers a wide range of physical, mental, and emotional benefits that contribute to overall well-being. Keep reading to discover the life-changing benefits of regular exercise.
Benefits of Regular Exercise
You probably already know exercise is good for you, but do you truly comprehend how good it really is?
The benefits go far beyond losing weight or looking good in a swimsuit. I want to share with you just a few life-changing benefits of regular exercise.
But before I do, let me share just a little bit about me and my health journey.
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Throughout my life, I have had a very inconsistent relationship with working out. I’ve never really enjoyed it. I would start a workout routine only to quit a month or two later.
And honestly, whenever I attempted to work out, I never really gave it my all or pushed myself. I just did the bare minimum, rarely ever breaking a sweat.
When you have an autoimmune disease, exercise can be really difficult!
It’s physically draining. Your muscles and joints ache, and you get tired super quickly. It’s really frustrating. I wanted to work out, but I just physically couldn’t most days.
Over the past few years, I have been on a natural healing journey. I’ve completely transformed my entire life.
I’ve changed my diet and sleeping habits, reduced stress, and so much more.
You can click here to learn more about my healing journey.
Over the years since I have been on this healing journey, my energy levels have increased significantly, and my achy muscles and joints have gone away completely, so I decided to try a new workout routine and give it my all.
I’m proud to say that I’ve done that, and it feels incredible.
Let me share with you the different ways regular and consistent exercise has seriously changed my life.
7 Life-Changing Benefits of Regular Exercise
1 | Improved Sleep
I have struggled with sleep pretty much my entire life. I’ve written extensively about sleep on this blog because it’s been such a massive issue for me.
I’m always searching for new ways to improve my sleep. Working out regularly and pushing myself extra hard during my workouts has been a game-changer for me!!!
I fall asleep more easily. I stay asleep throughout the night, and my sleep quality has improved significantly. I don’t have to rely on natural sleep supplements as often as I used to, and I wake up feeling so much more refreshed and rejuvenated.
2 | Reduced Anxiety
Anxiety is another issue I’ve struggled with as far back as I can remember. I believe it’s the cause of the majority of my sleep issues. Ever since I started working out consistently, my anxiety has dramatically reduced.
I feel so much calmer and at peace. I can breathe, and my mind isn’t racing with a thousand thoughts!
3 | Increased Energy
Healthy eating and good sleep are what give me the energy to get through my workout, but the workout is what gives me the energy to get through my day.
I don’t know the science behind it, but it’s true.
Starting your day with a good workout is better than a cup of coffee.
Even when I’m feeling really tired, I’ll force myself to work out, even if it’s only for 20 minutes, and I always feel super energized afterward!
4 | Improved Mood
My overall mood has improved so much!!! I have struggled with depression and mood swings most of my life.
I don’t think I have ever felt as good as I do now—at least, I can’t remember ever feeling this good. I’m happier, my mood has stabilized, and I have more motivation and drive.
It’s pretty awesome.
5 | Improved Appearance
And no, I’m not talking about my body (that’s number 6). I’m talking about my skin, eyes, face, and overall appearance.
I don’t know if it‘s from sweating out all the yucky toxins from my body, all the excess HGH (human growth hormone) flowing through my body, or both.
The whites of my eyes are brighter and clearer, and my skin is glowing. I have been told I have a more youthful appearance. I love it!
6 | Improved Physique
My body is not quite where I want it to be, but it’s getting there. I’ve definitely lost fat and gained muscle. I feel so much stronger and healthier.
When I first started working out, I could hardly get through my workouts without feeling like I was going to die. Now, I power right through them, and I’m consistently increasing my weights and reps.
It feels really good!
7 | Improved Relationships
This was a very unexpected benefit. Since beginning my workout routine, I have become a much better wife, mom, friend, sister, etc.
Because my mood has improved, because I sleep better, because my anxiety has decreased, I’m a kinder, more patient, thoughtful human being.
I’m not as short and quick-tempered. I’m happier and more pleasant to be around. I have more energy to give to the people I love the most.
And this is the best benefit of all.
Working out consistently has many other benefits, such as improved cardiovascular health, an enhanced immune system, improved digestion, and more.
But I wanted this post to be about the benefits I personally experienced and that truly changed my life.
If you want to learn more about the amazing benefits of working out, you can click here.
Work Out at Home Options
You don’t have to work out every single day or go to the gym to experience these benefits. I work out 3-5 days a week for around 30-45 minutes each time, and I do it from home!
There are so many different home workout options. I used to follow a paid program, but now I just follow my own workout routine that I created myself.
I plan on writing a post about my personal workout routine soon. But if you are looking for home workout resources, I highly recommend checking out the Instagram accounts below.
I am not a fan of excessive cardio or high-intensity workouts at all. These types of workouts can actually be very stressful on the body and can lead to metabolic dysfunction.
All of the accounts above specialize in strength training. And, Flex Your Feminine and Libby Wescombe teach fitness specifically with female physiology in mind.
The physiology of men and women is entirely different. Men have a 24-hour hormone cycle, while women have a 28-day one.
It’s important to understand this before jumping into a workout routine.
Cardio exercise can benefit women by improving cardiovascular health, maintaining weight, and enhancing mood, but it can have a negative impact when done excessively.
It can disrupt the menstrual cycle, increase cortisol, and more.
On the other hand, strength training can be extremely beneficial for women. It can boost metabolism, support healthy aging, balance hormones, and more.
I used to be afraid of strength training because I thought it would make me look big and bulky, but that did not happen.
Women generally have much lower testosterone levels than men, an essential hormone for muscle growth. This makes it much harder for women to build large amounts of muscle mass naturally.
Strength training, particularly with moderate weights and higher repetitions, builds lean muscle and improves muscle tone rather than creating bulk. Most women who strength train look leaner and more defined, not bulky.
So, if you have the same concerns that I did, you do not need to worry about that.
Final Thoughts
Working out has truly changed my life. When you have a chronic illness, it can sometimes feel hopeless, like you have no control. You never know how you’re going to feel day to day.
But working out has helped me to see I’m not helpless. There are things I can do to improve my situation.
If you are dealing with a chronic illness, I hope this post inspires and motivates you because that’s why I wrote it. Not to brag or boast but to help you take your life back.
When I stopped checking the scale every day and instead started to see how my life was improving in other areas because of exercise, that kept me motivated and going; the increased muscle and weight loss were just bonuses.
If you’ve been wanting to jump into a workout routine, now’s the time. Today’s the day! Do something today that your future self will thank you for!
