But I Don't Want to Workout! (How to Enjoy Working Out and Why you Should Work Out)

 But I don't Want to Workout! (How to Enjoy Working Out and Why you Should Work Out)  

Hey sister! Can we talk about the importance of fitness? There are so many reasons why working out is beneficial and critical to your health. But for this post, I'll share three.

1. Our Bodies are Gifts to us From God and we Should Steward Them Well

God gave us our bodies and scripture tells us to honor God with our bodies. Therefore, we want to be mindful of what we're putting in it and of how we're taking care of it. After all, scripture does mention that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. (1 Cor 19:12-20)

2. Good Mental Health

Studies show that aerobic exercises, such as jogging, swimming, cycling, walking dancing, and even gardening have been proved to reduce anxiety and depression. Scientists propose that blood circulation to the brain is increased when you work out and that working out also has an influence on the Hypothalamic - pituitary - adrenal axis (HPA) thus, affecting your mood in how you physiologically react to stress. In other words, working out positively affects your brain chemistry and mood on a scientific and biological level.

Furthermore, you can implement working out into your mental health treatment and according to research, it will be beneficial.

3. Healthy From the Inside Out

In general, you want to be healthy. When you implement physical exercise in your life, you're bound to feel better, perform better, live longer, avoid certain diseases, and be overall healthier.

Psychical goals are great, but you don't only want to be "summer time fine," you want to be healthy on the inside.

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Okay, but what if working out just feels and sounds like a night mare that comes to life? After all, it takes time, you have to leave the comfort of your home to go to the gym, and it's painful!

I get it. But what if I told you that working out doesn't have to be something that feels like a burden? You can find an enjoyable way to move your body.

I personally do Zumba - from my own home. I enjoy dancing so I put on Zumba work out videos that I find for free on Youtube and I get my body moving. While I am working out, it feels like I'm having fun dancing around my room in the mirror to upbeat music.

What do you like to do? Ride a bike? Run where there's a pretty scenery? Jump rope? Play outside with your kids or siblings? Go for brisk walks? Going to a Zumba class with other people? There's so many other options than being in the gym. When you do what you enjoy for working out, you'll start to think of it as fun rather than a burden. Exercise does not have to be intense workouts in the gym.

The most important thing is to just get your body moving on a regular basis. Studies show that at least a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise for three days a week is what we need as humans. 

Lastly, try not to have an "all or nothing" mind set when it comes to exercise. This will only discourage you. You can start with working out one day a week and slowly work your way up to three days a week. If you miss a day, don't feel like you have to wait until the next week to try again in order to make all three days. Go on to day two. It's simply all about starting and restarting.

Furthermore, working out doesn't have to be something to dread. Your workout doesn't have to look like everyone else's or like what the media portrays. This is your journey and your workout is your workout. As long as you get that body moving.

What are some fun ways you work out? Let me know in the comments.

Find more information about the science behind the positive affects of psychical exercise here, or access the article via the citation provided below.

Sharma, Ashish et al. “Exercise for mental health.” Primary care companion to the Journal of clinical psychiatry vol. 8,2 (2006): 106. doi:10.4088/pcc.v08n0208a

As always, so much love,

Rickari