30 Reasons Why Making Time For Exercise is Important

The number one excuse people use for not exercising is "No Time."  People say that they just can't find the time to work out.  I hate to point out the obvious here but you cannot "Find" time.  It isn't a sock lost in the dryer or a puppy that ran away.  It isn't some foreign concept that keeps eluding you.  You have to MAKE time to work out.  It has to become a priority in your life, just like brushing your teeth or taking a shower.  Those things have become a habit because you do them every day, they are part of taking care of yourself and because you have made time to do them.  Healthy and fitness should also be in that category.  You dont have to become a professional athlete or anything, just do some of the very basics to improve you healthy.  The benefits are numerous but I have put together a list of 30 for you, and if you cant relate and be inspired by at least one of these, then you really have no interest in improving your life.

1. You time, every one needs it.  It is not a lot to ask to have one hour out of the day to yourself.  It is only 5% of the day and honestly, it usually doesn't even take that long to get a good workout in.  You owe it to yourself to spend one hour on you, especially when the other 23 are dedicated to other people and other priorities.  
2. You have to take care of yourself in order to take care of your family.  Most of us have families that we dedicate 99% of our lives to and get a lot of satisfaction from that.  If you are not in good health, you wont be able to take care of anyone.  So give yourself that one hour so that you are able to dedicate fully the other 23.
3. Exercise can improve your overall mood, not just during and right after a workout.  
   
4. Exercise improves the immune system, again going back to #2 about taking care of yourself.  
5. You are setting a good example for everyone around you.  If you are one of those moms like me that is dedicated to taking care of your family then this is a great way to show them how much you care.  You want them to grow up and be healthy too.  Teach them by showing.  
6. Exercises reduces stress.  It gives you a good outlet to vent out frustrations.  If you are worried about something, go have a good sweat session and see how much your perspectives changes.  
7. Exercise can improve your sleep habits by helping you get to sleep and stay asleep at night.  One of the most common sleep problems people have is sleep apnea, which is often caused by excess weight.  
   
8. Getting a good night's rest can also help you lose weight.  People that get a solid 7-8 hours of sleep each night will lose more weight than those that have irregular sleep patterns or only get 4-6 hours a night.  
9. Exercise can improve joint flexibility and usage.  This seemed a little backward to me at first.  The more you use the joint, the better it gets???  Yes it is true.  Using the joints helps keep them lubricated and can improve flexibility.  Most joint problems come from injuries or not being used properly.
10. Exercise can improve self-esteem. It can improve how you look and your over all mood (#3) and will improve how you feel about yourself.  This can also improve when you begin looking better to other people and they let you know what they see.  There is nothing better than hearing someone else tell you how good you look after so much hard work.
    
11. Keeping the heart pumping at a healthy rate can reduce high blood pressure.  Eating a low fat diet and exercising regularly can help keep those arteries clear and keep the blood pressure down.
    
12. Regular cardio exercise can strengthen the heart. Just like any other muscle in the body, working it will make it stronger and healthier.
13. Exercise will improve your metabolism.  I am not a person that has been blessed with a high metabolism, so I have to work out to make up for EVERYTHING I eat.  But your metabolism can be improved by strengthening the muscles.  This is best done through lifting weights or strength training because the more muscle you have the higher your metabolism will be because muscle burns fat.
14. Strengthening muscles, especially in the back and core will improve your posture. Improving posture can also help with other ailments such as back pain which is often a result of hunching.  Having better posture also makes you look taller and leaner but also gives off a confidence vibe that attitude and words can convey.  
15. Strengthening muscles will improve balance and coordination which becomes more important the older we get. 
16. Exercise can sharpen the mind and improve concentration. 
    
     
17. Improving the mind and body through exercise can also improve reflexes.
18. Exercise teaches you patience.  In order to really see results through a healthy diet and a consistent exercise routine, you have to be patient.  It is not an overnight process and results take time.  Not seeing immediate results is why most people give up.  They dont see what they want soon enough and just quit. I promise that if you have patience, your hard work WILL pay of and will be worth it.  By that time it will be ingrained in you and the thought of quitting will seem absurd.
    
19. Exercise can improve your social life, for many reasons.  You mood and self confidence improve so you may be more outgoing and meet new people.  You many want to go out more when before it seemed like a chore or you were embarrassed because of the weight.  Joining challenge groups or fitness classes can help you meet people that are like you and have the same struggles as you.  I could go on and on but I think you get the point.
20. Exercise and fitness can lead you to a journey of self discovery like you never imagined.  You will figure out just how strong, dedicated, patient, beautiful, compassionate, and insightful you can be.  The improved self confidence, physical strength and metal acuteness all combined can change your entire world and open up so many other possibilities.                                                           
21. When the weather is great, exercises can be an excuse to be outside.  OR being outside can be an excuse to exercise.  Everyone needs a little Vitamin D in their life to help with strengthening bones, but it also is said to improve mood.  Use good weather to get outside and do something and if you have kids, make sure to plan some things they can do with you.  You won't know you are exercising if you are having fun.
    
22. Exercise can help fight anxiety and depression because of the improvement in mood and self confidence.  Doctors have actually prescribed mild exercise (such as walking) for those that suffer from anxiety and depression. 
23. Exercise can increase your life span.  It improves your heart, bones, muscles and digestion, all of which deteriorate as we get older.  Nothing can stop you from getting old but no one says that you have to be weak, feeble and sick in your old age.  I don't intend to.
24. Exercise can improve sexual for both you and your partner.  I will just leave that one alone. 
25. Exercise gives people purpose and goals.  Many people thrive on competition and satisfaction.  They need it in their lives and what better way than to compete against yourself.  Frankly, there is no one else you should be competing against.  You should not compare yourself to anyone else and only try to be better than you were the day before.  Setting a goal and crushing it or know that I can do something that I couldn't do a month ago is exhilarating.
26. Exercise can improve your character.  This can be due to many things but especially to the boost in self confidence and mental clarity.  You realize what things are important in life and learn to live for those things.  I know I became a much more caring person and put more focus on my family.  I know that I took value in kindness and tried to give it to others.
27. Exercise can help with addiction recovery.  When someone is dealing with withdrawal and addiction, keeping their mind off things can help with their recovery.  Exercise is a great outlet for any time you need a distraction or to distress but is great for those in recover.  It also strengthens the mind and the body which may help in fighting off withdrawal symptoms.
28. One word: ENDORPHINS
    
29. Bigger clothes can be more expensive.  When you have to start buying plus sizes they tend to cost more than misses.  It is unfair but that is the harsh reality.  So you will also save yourself some money.
30. You will eventually run out of excuses, and there is no excuse more important than the above 29 things.