We’re almost at the end of the year again and I know that most of you are already reflecting on your resolutions and trying your best to set “realistic” health and wellness goals. Ideally, we want to be healthier next year than we were last year, but we’ve all had our own reasons why things like this aren’t always very easy to achieve.
Health isn’t the easiest to maintain. We have time constraints, money, professional and social aspects of life that hinder us from going to the gym regularly or working out more than once a week. But let me just clarify to all of you that next year, it doesn’t have to be an extremely sweat-inducing hour of workout for four to five times a week. Why? Let’s be honest, the more we set unrealistic expectations for ourselves, the more the goals are harder to achieve. After a week or so of constant working out, the more it feels exhausting to our already busy schedules and the more it gets harder to do.
Positive Thinking
At the end of the day, the feeling of having achieved something is good because it can motivate you to try again tomorrow. Which is why it’s okay to start with at least 10-minutes of workout daily. You won’t feel guilty for letting your health fail because you know that 10-minutes aren’t really that much compared to an hour daily. Always choose a workout style that is engineered to work for a short period of time if you really can’t fit an hour. With that, you can still feel and see results. The quick yoga session that you do every morning can lead you to sit up straighter, at night you might be sleeping better because of your workout routine. There are studies that say that 10-minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise can significantly improve brain function. Plus, your mind and body don’t change overnight so if you choose to celebrate the small successes, you are setting yourself up to do better the next day.
Mind Over Body
Whenever you feel like you’re struggling to do your workout days, it’s more of a matter of the mind than the body. When you’re sitting there, thinking of a million reasons why today isn’t the day for you to start your workout, then you’re battling with the matters of the mind. Get yourself going and you’ll find the excuses less tempting. There are immediate benefits of working out and it’s not just about losing weight. Your mind becomes sharper, your self-esteem higher, deeper sleep, better mood, and a rosier glowing skin. Instead of coming up with a million reasons not to work out, redirect that feeling into something positive.
Forming Habits
They say that it can take about 21 days to form a habit. When in reality and on a scientific basis, it takes less than 21 days and everyone will have different results. On an average, it takes about 2 months or 66 days for a healthy habit to stick.
Now, ask yourself. Is it really realistic to commit to 3 to 4 one hour classes for 2 months? Especially when it involves travel and enough time to shower before work? It can be a yes to most people, but not for all. Success hinges on setting the right expectations for yourself. If you keep on making plans and resolutions that don’t stick, you might want to opt for something a little smaller for starters. If you miss a day, don’t be too hard on yourself. Move on and keep up the next day.
There’s a wide variety of fitness materials that are highly available online these days. All you need is either your smartphone, TV, a computer and your body and you can improve your fitness levels for the upcoming years. Nobody is expecting you to lift a hundred pounds or win a 5k run. Instead, you can focus on taking care of the body you have now by using baby steps to get there. Find a work out that you love and enjoy. Maybe 10-minutes won’t be enough if you’re really having fun!
I think you’re right. I easily get discouraged when I don’t see results but the fact is, there are results but if it’s not what we’re looking for, we can easily stop working out and make up so many reasons not to. I think starting with 10 minutes is easier than an hour.
Definitely, Tiffany! At least give credit to your efforts. If you don’t look at the small things, you’ll really end up disappointed.
Definitely easier now that you’ve written this article. I feel weak if I get really tired within 10 minutes. I guess progress is still progress.
Another thing is to not be too hard on yourself when you’re just starting and you feel like you’re going nowhere. You have to appreciate even the smallest benefits that 10 minute workout has done for you.
I have the same issue. I feel like my professional life is getting in the way of my health.
Just like what the article said, 10 minutes will be enough despite our professional life.
After a week, it won’t be hard for you to keep telling yourself to workout. In my experience, it only took me a few days to get used to the energizing feeling of being able to sweat out. ?
This makes me feel better. I feel like I beat myself up too much whenever I can’t work out daily. Now I understand that I don’t have to think like this. All I have to do is to keep pushing forward.
Yes, Katie. Keep pushing forward and don’t look at the results too much. The more you’re too conscious about it, the more you’ll look for it.
I really appreciate reading this. I just started working out last week but I already feel like I’m going to give up. It’s so difficult to work around my schedule.
Don’t give up! Find a workout that works best for you. There are 10 minute full body workouts in YouTube that you can try.?
It all makes sense now. Maybe this is why I abruptly just stop working out. I feel like it’s so hard to sustain. I’m going to try again.?
I don’t really want to pay for a gym subscription so I just bought a yoga mat and I follow workout videos on YT. Fitness is very easy to achieve because it’s highly available for us. No need for trainors or expensive memberships.
Gym isn’t even a requirement anymore. Even yoga sessions can be done at home, just make sure that if you’re a beginner you choose beginner vids to avoid injuries.
I notoriously get bored with workouts but I can never justify not taking ten minutes out of my day to workout. It’s super effective and times flies! Right about when I start getting that “ugh” feeling, it’s over. Thanks for motivating me for getting my lazy bones moving!!
You guys should try this it works 10 pushups 10 squats and 10 jumping jacks do it over and over again till you reach 10 minutes also drink enough water and be a little bit more active.
Guys keep in mind that you’ll only get results if you really want it. Doing these a couple times and then giving up won’t get you anywhere.
I just want to lose ten pounds but I keep giving up but if I try this 10-minute intense workout I think I can do it.
I recommend this to people who want to lose some weight and most importantly stay fit. It is pretty effective as long as you do this every day.
I am really busy I don’t have time to the gym or workout. I think these 10 minutes workouts would be the best idea and that way I won’t have to neglect my health.
I am going to try some 10 minutes workouts for about 3 weeks, and if it does something I am gonna keep doing those exercise, if not I am searching for something different.
The 10 minutes workout is meant for people who are too busy to exercise. It gives you the mentality “it’s just 10 minutes so why not do it?” It’s also a way to break the habit for people who are having a hard time incorporating exercise in their routine.
Don’t underestimate the power of a 10-minute workout, right?
A while ago, during my bad marriage I stopped working out and gained weight. I had always been told I look young. One day I was talking to someone and they said I looked older than my age. It was the first time I heard that. Divorced. Started working out again. Within 3-4 months, I was a 28 year old who could pass for 22-24 for most people again.
I used to be lazy and FAT! then I started to exercise daily. I’ve recently lost around 50 pounds. When you bend over the blood doesn’t rush to your head as fast. As well as being more flexible, my health is really all well now.
you just feel like a superhero in everything physical thing you do. For example just walking up the stairs holding on to the side railings I can literally throw my body up a few steps with such little effort its such an intoxicating feeling. I can lift the chairs in school with one hand and they feel so weightless, I could barely move those things with 2 hands before so yeah superhuman abilities? ?
You are absolutely spot on! Working out daily has changed my life! My balance and posture have improved 100000x!
Exercising regurlarly is the only thing that successfully manages my anxiety disorder without medication and keeps me alive. It eases my stress, obliterates, calms my anger, gives me confidence, boosts my sex drive, and even helps me focus. I have stress-linked digestion issues that are non-existent when I work out regularly and even my acne improves.
If I start to feel depressed I’ll do some Yin Yoga or Vinyasa. Feeling stressed or angry I’ll do HIIT or Pilates. It’s worked wonders for my physical and mental health.
Working out helps with my insomnia, which makes me physically exhausted, which is one step closer to feeling mentally exhausted. It also helps with my inability to regulate my body temperature. For some reason putting on muscle mass and increasing my metabolism has helped me not feel inconsolably cold.
Since I started daily working out (30 minutes a day) I feel like I have better skin. Like… glowing. Maybe also because I drink more water when I work out, than when I don’t. Flushing out toxins.
Water + exercise is the best combo for glowing skin. Add a healthy diet to the mix too!
Ever since working out has become a routine in my life, my confidence has increased. Better muscle tone and endurance (duh). Better self control and diet ability. ?
I am a huge fan of alcohol. I love my beer and bourbon. However, since exercising regularly I crave them much less often and enjoy them more when I drink them. I’m saving money, helping my body and no longer crave alcohol as soon as I leave work. In fact when I drink I only want one or two instead of regularly having three or four. It’s pretty swell!
Oh my god!! Yes!! Exercising saves lives!! My allergies and related asthma symptoms are almost non-existent. I went from taking 4/5 meds that just barely kept symptoms at bay every season to taking just an over the counter nasal spray. Some days I even forget to take it and I’m fine.
I love exercising. It makes me feel more motivated and I eventually didn’t feel like I had to do it but I wanted to get up and exercise, especially when I set my self goals for each day, I made sure that I got off my butt and completed them.
I have benefited so much from working out!
Not so unexpected: MUCH better posture. More confidence. Better mood.
Somewhat unexpected: Feel more rested on the same amount of sleep.
Very unexpected: Sweat a lot more (like during stretches), but it smells a lot less. Whether this is a benefit or not is more questionable.
I’m happy for you! Working out really has a lot of benefits so it’s important to really squeeze it in your routines.
Last year I exercised a lot to try to combat anxiety/depression. From what I could tell, the worrying about getting in my workouts each day didn’t do anything for my anxiety. Though I did start sleeping better because I was so tired.
Working out does a huge number on managing my chronic pain. I have a bunch of old back injuries that are mostly muscular, so you’d think exercising would make them hurt more, but actually between the brain chemicals and the improved flexibility/range of motion, I hurt so much less now than I used to. If I take a week off because I’m sick or something, I notice the difference immediately.
Regular exercise helps a lot with getting healthy in general. Eating better, more greens and stuff. Even my bowel movements became more regular. ?
Incredible information, Rebecca! I dont have the desire to over eat or eat a lot of food that isn’t good for me since I started to exercise.
I’ve got a higher pain and stress tolerance in life after what I put myself through in the gym. ☺️
A lot of tedious everyday tasks just get so much easier once exercise becomes your routine. Running up stairs? No problem. Long, long stairs? Well, would you look at that! No problem! Late for the bus? Yay for running power again 🙂
I love your motivation, Michelle!
Now that I haven’t gone to the gym for 2 months because of schoolwork, I haven’t been feeling right. Just sluggish, tired, and not as…healthy. I can’t wait to go back once finals are over and do something physical again.
I have gained a noticeable increase in proper posture after doing yoga daily. And an increase in checking myself out in the mirror. 😉
I don’t think 10 minutes is going to make a difference. I learnt at medical school that an adult human should walk at least 10000 steps a day in order to stay healthy.
A year ago, I started working out 4 times a week. Now I have so much bloody energy. I used to want to come home from work and just relax, eat dinner, and watch tv. Now that I’m working out 4 times a week, I want to come home, eat quickly, take the dog for a walk, clean, basically do anything but sit down. That, and it’s much easier to focus.
I sleep so much better since I started doing cardio! I fall asleep and don’t wake up until my alarm goes off then I get right up as opposed to laying in bed and hitting snooze a million times. I also eat a lot better because why would I ruin the work I just did by eating a pizza? Instead I’ll have a glass of almond milk or some veggies maybe some popcorn. ??
Overall physical tasks become easier when exercise is a part of your every day. Being fit opens up the world and people remember you. ?
If running for exercise, you get to see more of your town and what other people do. Sometimes this is heart warming, other times depressing but maybe a good dose of reality. If cycling, you save on transport costs. If doing an adventure sport you get a story to tell. Lifting weights and light cardio gives me a better sleeping pattern which means I’m getting better sleep, far outweighing the assumed result of being worn out. Exercise is a way of life!
I really love this article. Everything you mentioned is well spot on! Like ever since i started exercising I feel more confident, I’m generally less lazy when it comes to any kind of work.
Exercising saved me from my coffee addiction. When I was at my last job, it required getting up at 6am to get into work. So I started having coffee on the way in. And then again around 2-3 when I was tired and it was cheap. But then I pushed myself to exercise and train regularly, so I’m less reliant on coffee in the morning
Thanks for reminding me I really gotta start working out again. It tires me out, but it makes me more likely to do other stuff after work. I really should start speedwalking again.
I started running every morning. It’s been 11 weeks now. I feel like I’m more energized after running, and I feel more confident.
Exercise really helps with my mental state. About the only time I feel at peace is during my workout.
It gets easier. For the first few weeks, it’s a beeping ordeal because it means being uncomfortable and sore and out of breath. It was worse than I expected, because even though I wasn’t overweight or physically handicapped in any way, I was completely out of shape. When you stop feeling like you’re going to die after a couple minutes of cardio, you don’t dread it as much. I assumed that it would always suck as badly as when I started and that people only do this because the benefits outweigh the misery of the workout itself, but that’s not the case. Your body adapts so that even when you push yourself harder to take advantage of your new-found fitness, it isn’t torture like at the beginning. I still don’t LIKE it, but now it’s a neutral rather than a negative experience.
I’m glad that you’re starting to like your new fitness routine, Rosa! Don’t give up!
Great content. I can really relate. I feel happier since I started working out. I’m in a much better mood, I’m more toned, I drink more water and I’m more happy in general.
I have to agree… Exercise has made life easier for me. So many daily tasks just became easier. Carrying groceries, opening doors. It’s like someone turned gravity down. ?
I wish I had seen this article a few years back. Only 3 weeks ago I started exercising and all of the random pains that I got started to go away. Back hurt less, knees hurt less ect.
Great read. Really enjoyed reading. Feeling more motivated now. I’ve noticed that while I’m not in great shape, exercising sucks WHILE I do it, but afterwards I feel much better that I did it.
Working out pushed me to quit smoking (just about) and cut way back on my drinking, so my moods are more stable and my bank balance is a lot healthier. ?
Oh god! This is all so true! Working out changed my life. I don’t feel groggy midday anymore. Before working out, I would always feel the need for a nap but when I am exercising and eating well, I have 10 times the energy.
Exercise indeed helps you feel better. I didn’t buy into this belief, but last week I did no exercise and I just felt like shit and got the impression that I was a lot lazier. You don’t have as much energy. I think when you start exercising you might not be able to notice the difference, but stop for a week and you’ll certainly notice how it affects you.
Exercise is a gift that keeps on giving. You feel a lot better about yourself like a nice confidence boost you feel like you can do anything sometimes. You’re also less tired as a person and if you never had much of an appetite before it does make you want to eat better.
Reading this made me realise how much I need to start working out and switch to a healthier diet. Thanks for the eye opener!
I have taken on running lately. Personally, a more positive change in mood, knowing you’re training your body and improving physicality. Also, I notice my surroundings particularly during jogs, such as the blue sky or nature at work. A sort of sense of spiritual connectivity.
If you do it long enough it can become a reason to live. They can take everything away from you, your house, your partner, your friends, but your possibility to go to the gym our out on a run is always going to be there. It might not be the best life, but to know that no matter who you are, and what circumstances you are in, you can always try to do a little bit more than you did last week. That sense of progression makes life bearable, because in between workouts, that is a micro simulation of what life is on a macro level, you go in to the world in one condition and then you try to improve every aspect of it and then you die.
I really appreciate this article. I must add with working out you get those cycles of being born, going on to the world, improving, dying, and getting born again on a weekly basis. Your entire existence can be based around those habits because in mild doses, you get everything there is to this life, every week.
I work out 30 minutes everyday at home and apparently it gave me afterglow. I thought I would feel rundown and gross afterward but I always feel really energized but calm.
Its my antidepressant. Puts me in a wonderful mood so it defiantly must have a positive influence on your mental and emotional health.
I don’t get sick as often since I started working out. I used to catch a cold or flu 4-5 times a year. Started going to the gym 3 years ago, and I have only gotten sick once or twice since. It’s been over a year since I last had a cold.
Exercise gave me a purpose in life – it stopped me spending whole days in my bed, it helped me make friends and overcome anxieties, it got me a job at my local gym, it gave me the drive to improve myself, for no reason other than because I enjoy being happy
I’m so happy for you, Tanja! I hope that you can inspire others to do the same thing!
I don’t exercise at home. I like going to the gym because I go alone and it’s the only “me” time I can carve out during the day
I am not a hormonal anger ball anymore! I’m currently nearing the end of my second trimester of pregnancy, I couldn’t exercise during the first because I was so sick (and lazy). But now I’m back at the gym and I can almost feel my temper fizzling out as I sweat.
Everything in life is easier since I started to exercise, I have more focus and more energy, and oddly enough more discipline in other areas of my life.
When I exercise regularly, I eat healthier because I don’t want to negate the progress I made in the gym. I feel better about myself. I always used to be really scrawny and it really helped my self confidence.
I’m disappointed no one has stated the obvious, maybe because they’d feel guilty for noticing. The world is absolutely kinder to, and easier for attractive people…
THIS!!! This is all we need. I stopped caring so much about status and money. I came to the conclusion that good health is all the wealth I need.
The endorphin rush that keeps you in a good mood the rest of the day is all worth it. Also, much better sleep.
You know what I love the most about working out? That if you workout more and eat healthy 60% of the time you can eat just about anything without worry.
I have found that the more I work out, the less likely I am to get sick. Since I started regularly working out about a year and a half ago, I haven’t been legitimately sick once, where I used to get sick at least once a month with never working out more than just walking to work which is couples of blocks away from my apartment.
Working out is an anxiety killer for me, and one of the most effective. If I combine working out with listening to music, my anxiety becomes really manageable in most cases. Not only does working out change the chemicals going on in your brain, but when I’m focusing on the physical pain and pushing through while jamming out to my favorite music, my brain doesn’t have time to welcome the dark cloud that’s usually there.
I made a rule…workout 1 min for every dollar spent because I was spending way too much eating out and buying clothes I never wore and never working out. I divide my monthly bills over the month like rent is 1000 minutes for 1000 dollars (about 16 hours) and then anything I buy during the day I have to work off.
Within two months of doing this seriously (and my SO keeping me on track) my food bill was cut in half. it took me so much discipline and I slip sometimes but it killed two bad habits in one.
I’ve only been going to the gym for a few weeks, but I find myself snacking way less. My snacky appetite just vanishes after an hour at the gym before work, rather I’ll get hungry for fuller, more varied meals. I also have more energy in general, and it works as a conduit for relieving stress.
Honestly, I saw absolutely no benefits when I was working out. I was trying to lose weight a few years back and worked out 5 nights a week for about a year and a half. EVERY SINGLE TIME I felt so horrible during and afterwards. I expected that for the first month or so, but I never felt that high afterwards that other people talk about. When I complained to my parents/friends/boyfriend about it, they all gave me different advice (switch up my routine, stay hydrated, listen to music, stretch, etc.) I would try it and nothing would change. I guess a positive would be that I was more toned, but honestly it wasn’t worth it.
I get to the end of a fifteen mile run, and I think “Wow. I did that, and I felt pretty good the whole way, and I still feel pretty good, and I could’ve gone a few more miles if I needed to.” That gives me a big, durable infusion of “I can do difficult things.”
Working out improves my mood, I generally feel more positive and happy after I’ve worked out. I sleep better after exercising, which contributes to the above. My self esteem improves, because I feel I look better. This isn’t really a question of getting more fit, as there probably isn’t that much of a discernible difference per session, but in a placebo like way I feel like I’ve improved. My motivation improves. Making myself go when I don’t want to improves motivation, so later when it comes to doing something else I can’t be bothered doing, I can push myself into doing it anyway.
Working out is the best thing I have ever turned into a habit. It makes me stronger in my brain. Less ruminating about worries. I like that part the best, even more than the physical improvements.
Being in control on my exercise regime is one of the only aspects of my life I have control over. Being able to decide when, where, and how I workout really improves my quality of life. I get the usual endorphin kick and runner’s high and it really makes my day better. Sure, I have those days when I really don’t want to workout, but if I do it anyway, it makes me feel even better.
Exercise helps you sleep better. Seriously. If I haven’t been to the gym in a few days, I’ll toss and turn and not feel particularly rested when my alarm goes off. If I’ve exercised that day however, I’ll conk out easily, and often start waking up just before the alarm is due to go off.
Working out honestly just makes me feel happier, I look forward to working out and going to the gym.
! I worked out pretty much every day my senior year of college and I always felt much better after. Since I wasn’t on a 9-5 schedule, it motivated me to get more accomplished because after going to the gym I would feel like I was ready to study or whatever. Actually getting to the gym was a challenge sometimes but after you go regularly for a month or so it’s not as hard. Plus, I watch Netflix while I elliptical so i got a lot of tv time in too. would recommend to a friend.
Glad to know that it worked really well for you Aisha! Thanks for the idea, I’m sure a lot of the readers would find this useful!
When you do something difficult like getting ripped, it makes you believe you can do anything. The confidence boost is insane. ?
Day three of exercising regularly and I didn’t feel like doing my usual so I went for a walk to pick up milk and bananas. Having a banana and a cold drink of water when I got back while laying on the couch was enough of a reward let alone how much better I feel. Often you find rewards in it yourself. Starting is the hard part. It gets easier every day.
Your points are so accurate. Overall feeling better since I started exercising. Happier. I feel more accomplished. I feel less guilty about eating.
Started exercising a few years back, I feel less envious of others. I’m pretty content with myself now. I can now appreciate how others look instead of being jealous of them or if my S/O looks at another person. Also, my anxiety has taken a back seat. Only took a couple years, but that b**ch is sitting back there. Not even back seating driving, which is nice.
You couldn’t be more true! By the way, my mental clarity and stress management are a lot better as well as my overall outlook on life since I have been exercising. I am also less sensitive as far as getting my feelings hurt by micro aggressions.
Nice, Charlotte! I’m happy that this really worked out for you.
I used to work out late at night like 12 am, and when I came back it helped me sleep cause I’d be so tired.
Exercising is a great way to get some of that aggression and stress out, and it boosts your mood. I don’t know why people feel too lazy to do something good for themselves.
There’s something about overcoming exercise as a challenge that leaves me feeling confident and refreshed. ?
My jeans always wore out from rubbing in the inner thigh area, before I started working out and lost some weight. Now they last much longer. ??
I got into a car accident that injured my neck and back up a bit. Started exercising after I felt better and now it barely hurts!
Great article overall. Sometimes you need to make sacrifices by doing stuff you don’t like to improve your lifestyle in general.
What I love the most about exercise is discipline! No-one is forcing you off the sofa and to the gym other than yourself, and doing that day after day is a great way to learn discipline in doing tasks that you may not want to do, or feel like doing.
I used to always struggle with loosing weight… but I still kept going to the gym because it puts me in a better mood and I’m more effective at work. I’m sure it’s the “high” from endorphins.
Working out in the morning or going for a jog at work lunch clears my head. I can ‘organize’ the things I need to do for the day. It helps fight procrastination for me in that way. Also deals with anger and puts it to a more positive use. Helps sleep. I feel like I can’t sleep unless I’ve done some exercise that day. If I don’t, I usually end up taking 2 hours to get to sleep. But if I do, I pass out near instantly.
So many people hate on people who work out. People who pull that “I’m so busy and important stuff unlike YOU” stuff always have plenty of time to watch TV, gossip, etc. ?
Working out can lead to huge confident boosts especially when you start progressing towards and achieving your goals. I feel confident in myself that little bit more because I am outting effort into my body and its shape/health.
The harder and more frequently I work out, the more junk food I can eat without gaining weight or running my blood pressure up. ?
Since I work out more, I am even more perpetually hungry. Its like my muscles are just using up all my food and making me need more. ?
That’s actually understandable since you would burn through calories and consume energy.
I wish it was socially acceptable to use earphones at my gym. Nobody does, so I won’t. There was one time where they loaded a Spotify Free playlist of anime music… that was a bad exercise session. ?
For those who find going to the gym tedious — even people who enjoy going will sometimes not want to go, it’s the name of the game (I usually find it meditative). But that’s not the only way your body can get the exercise that helps it thrive. You can also enjoy recreational or competitive sports, hiking, plenty of outdoor activities that you can do at your leisure without the rigidity of motion that some gym equipment requires.
There are many physical and mental benefits from working out but in reality I just want to be more appealing to attractive people.
I honestly hate working out/watching how much I eat. But reading this inspired me to give it a chance.
As I’ve gotten in better shape, I’ve started noticing how not fit most people are. Like, not necessarily even overweight, which there are a lot of, but there are so many soft/skinny-fat people.
Well what contitutes as enough excercise? Are a bunch of burpees enough or do you have to straight up go running? Because that is where the biggest hurdle is for a lot of people, actually going out to run.
I also want to point out that the first month or so when you get in shape is exhausting, but once you’re in shape, fitness becomes a habit and very refreshing ?
Exactly, Jordan! Once your body gets used to it, it starts to feel great.
You are what you eat , exercise helps but diet is the main factor , hence , abs are made in the kitchen .
Why do so many people think the only form of exercise is the gym… You can perfectly work out at home without needing any tools!
Great article on working out. This is exactly the way I needed to hear this explained. I actually KNEW this was the case, but I needed to hear it told this way.
We’re animals that have evolved to run for their next meal, when your next meal comes from the fridge the balance is broken.
Speaking from personal experience, I stRONGLY agree. Its helped me a lot in handling depression,anxiety and my general lack of focus , and i know this because when I couldnt make time for exercise for like a few months my productivity levels went so low lol.And honestly Im not even doing anything intense? Im mostly just stretching and dancing so yep its very nice
Fine. I’ll dust off the old body beast dvd, put it back in the player, and work out until i hurt myself agai— OUCH! damnit ???
I do aerobics, push ups and crunches every morning and evening. I also started meditating daily recently and it’s really helpful when it comes to focus and my mood.
Love this! I exercise 4 times a week and daily meditation. The results are amazing!
I can never work up the motivation to exercise. especially in the morning (doesn’t help that I work in the morning)
I can at least confirm with personal experience that exercise can lift you out of depression.
Great topic, and very helpful information. My workout motivation is people kept saying I’m fat. So I had to change that. In 5 months I lost 25 lbs. Feels good .
I’ve been paying a gym membership for 3 months and I haven’t been going it made me feel so bad and I started to remember how great I felt when I did. So today’s my first day back and I’m not going to let myself quit again because im not gonna let my mind sway me from skipping out on something that made my life drastically better.
I know I sound annoyingly preachy with my friends, but frickin everyone should go to the gym. Every single aspect of society would be better.
All I keep learning is how dumb I am, and how i do everything wrong. Wish I was better lol
Something I hear alot living in the south is “I’d rather be fat and happy then not eat donuts, ’cause I’m going to die anyway!” …. I’ll never understand this type of mentality.
I workout 5 days a week at a full equipped gym with a personal trainer. Let’s face that 10 minutes a day isn’t gonna do anybody any good!
Exercise is one of the things that massively helped me deal with my depression. I get why it’s hard to start. It was really hard for me to start. But nothing is more painful than hating yourself and your life and getting used to your misery. Sadness can be addictive but once you’re on the outside, it feels like you escaped a cult and it’s terrifying thinking of going back. Exercise IS the answer to SO many people’s mental health problems. It won’t help everyone but it is worth everyone trying.
My workout motivation is my fat ass. I gained weight. didn’t feel good. I had to change it ???
I don’t go to gym, i workout at home everyday. I’m always happy and motivated. It helps when you deal with depression.
What if I just hate exercising. It requires so much energy and everytime I walk into my home gym I instantly have a hard even starting to exercise. I don’t like the feeling of pushing myself. It feels uncomfortable and drains my energy. I don’t even get any benefits from exercising. My body always remains the same. Maybe I’m too old for this.
It is INCREDULOUSLY DIFFICULT to get my father to exercise. He’s survived a heart attack once and since then he’s never even bothered to prevent and improve anything. In fact, he’s coming back to eating meat since he was a vegetarian for so long. I am genuinely stressed out by the poor choices he makes in his life.
I do things cause i like doing it i dont even have a goal just like some people like to sit around constantly and never move
I don’t exercise cause im always tired :< i constantly use my brain because of school .
I would like to thank you! Very wise and inspiration words. I have never looked at working out the way you have described it. This is something i will not only use to change my life but pass this knowledge onto my kids. Thanks again .
I pretty much don’t need any motivation, sometimes I decide work out without thinking. Though it can sometimes can be a problem if I don’t control I well.
Yet another example of the complexity of truth. I so wish weight loss and health were simple, but not many things worth having or knowing are simple
what about more indoor activities? Let’s say video games: Can one play Just Dance for about 30 minutes a day and still reach the bar?
I really enjoy this kind of articles. I have improved my quality of life a lot. Thanks. Keep uploading this type of articles.
What about exercise addiction? A friend of mine has it and he’s trying real hard to get rid of it.
Hm…I really need to take this up. Hopefully now that I’m going back to school, it will be easier to try it as opposed to sitting on my butt at work all day. :/
Great, so I’m doing enough exercise already! Now I can tell my parents they don’t have to worry. ?
i have heard that getting a dog is good for your health. simply because of walking the dog. lol
This can actually be a really great motivation, Sara! ?
I’m so glad to hear someone actually giving a properly moderate explanation about what it is to be appropriately active. Thank you!
I like exercising and I try to talk to people I know about the benefits but I guess most people in the world don’t really care too much for it .
Great explanation! People think that you have to go on these crazy binge exercise routines, when in fact 10 minutes is enough!
As someone trying to be more fit I really appreciated this article. While I’d like to be in great shape, if I can’t quite make that goal at least I want to be reasonably healthy.
This is so great. So informational! I had experiences with friends who seriously tried to get me to not bother exercising if I wasn’t doing what they thought was the most “ideal” method on the right equipment.
The release of endorphins while working out is enough for me to keep doing it, after a good work out it’s just like a whole new perspective.
I just don’t see why someone wouldn’t work out when the article explains obvious reasons and research on why it’s so good for you. It really can put you in such a better mood and allow you to be more productive in your daily life.
I think that we shouldn’t look at exercise as a stressful thing, or something that we have to do, but something that we want to do! It can make us feel so much better!
I used to be one of those people who didn’t really want to do much. I would sit around on the couch or in bed and watch TV or whatever else I wanted to do… But through the years that has changed of course.
Exercise is probably the single most important aspect of our lives, yet most of America can’t even take 10 minutes a day to do it.
This topic is something that I could talk about for days. It amazes me that so many people don’t workout ever and they have no idea what they are missing.
I don’t think most people realize that you only need 10 to 30 minutes of activity a day to remain healthy. I think we have all been brainwashed to believe that we have to do these crazy workouts to be even remotely healthy, when in fact this is not true.
I have always been an active person and can understand why exercising is so important and has many health benefits. However, I feel that is is difficult for people to find the time to get in a quality workout every day. Between school or work people have prior commitments and after a long day someone generally does not want to put in more hard strenuous work. I also feel that in today’s society there are many different distractions that are around us that also prevent us from exercising. Most jobs today are desk jobs that involve sitting for up to 8 hours a day which can cause health problems on its own. There are also technological distractions such as phones, computers, tvs, etc. I think that it is important that people decide to take charge of their health and find time to exercise because it is truly a beneficial thing to improve a person’s health and lifestyle.
By making small changes in your lifestyle you can become so much healthier. No one else can do it for you, you have to make your health a higher priority in your life. ?
I would completely agree with the importance of exercise in our daily lives. I am a competitive swimmer, which means I exercise about three hours a day between the workouts in the pool and the strength training workouts. I would have to say that this is overkill for the sake of staying healthy.
10 minutes definitely isn’t enough but I believe that exercise is one of the most important ways to take care of your body. Without exercise, there would be no way for people to stay healthy and physically fit. Thirty minutes a day, five times a week is all you really need and it is so easy to accomplish that. I feel like most people don’t think they have enough time to complete thirty minute of exercise a day due to either being at work all day or going to school all day. I also agree that it really isn’t that hard to get thirty minutes of cardio or weight training a day.
Exercise is important and is one of the best possible things for your mind and body. Why wouldn’t someone spend at least 10 minutes a day doing something that could prolong their life and safe them from a lot of issues with their body as they age? Many people with certain (almost all) diseases and disorders can easily benefit from exercise.
I think most of the time people don’t have the will power to workout. You hear the excuse of I don’t have time in a day. I’m pretty sure the majority of the people could cut at least 10 minutes of television a day and easily hit their mark.
This is a very important article for everyone to read. There are so many people out there that are complain about being tired, sick, unmotivated, and have hard time doing simple tasks. If they were to watch this video and shoot for what it says, 10 minutes of exercise a day for 5 days a week, they would notice a huge change.
Is 10 minutes enough? Personally, I do not think that is enough because 10 minutes of exercise does not burn enough calories to offset the amount of calories one may take in. People are becoming more obese every year, even if they exercise 30 minutes day but binge eat at the same time I doubt they are going to loose any weight. It all comes down to people actually putting in the effort to make a change in their lives.
I have a question! I have found that yoga is pretty much the only form of exercise that I enjoy, and therefore, it’s the one that I can be regularly relied upon to do. It’s conventional wisdom that yoga does not benefit your cardiovascular health (although it does help with everything else) – so it should be supplemented with some kind of cardio exercise. But I recently read a few articles that seem to say otherwise, and as I attend yoga 3-4 times a week (including several styles – not just stretching), I’m wondering if I’m alright without making myself miserable on a treadmill? What’s your opinion on yoga as a complete source of fitness?
Exercise is one of the most important things you can do for your body. Whether its moderate exercise many times a week or intense exercise a couple time a week, the benefits outweigh any risk that could be associated with working out as long as you aren’t over doing it.
Isn’t there also something about how long moments of inactivity can be harmful by themselves? So if you are always at a desk, its a good idea to have short breaks where you do a little bit of activity?
Exercise is so important to me! Sure it takes a lot of motivation but the body needs to be worked! I love exercise and I am more on the intense side when it comes to working out! Working out only has benefits!
Being a mailman is pretty dope, you walk around for hours and stand on your feet for a few as well. Sadly I wouldn’t wanna be a mailman cause it pays NOTHING and you’re basically just moving pieces of paper around.
I started feeling way better after I went to college and started walking or biking to my classes, no one had ever really told me that even such a minor change in exercise could help.
I started feeling way better after I went to college and started walking or biking to my classes, no one had ever really told me that even such a minor change in exercise could help.
let’s not forget what you fuel yourself with is extremely important… Eat more plants!
Some people are too busy to exercise…???!!! Not being able to find 10 min to do some exercise in a 24h day is a sign that there’s something wrong with your planning
how can anybody workout 7 times a week and have a fulltime job and a social life?
if u at 100% willpower u can make anything happen. fulltime 9-5? go to the gym at 7 and then party after dinner. make ur life your unique choice!!!
When i workout 3 times a week i feel very good, but dont look that impressive. But when i train 5-7 times a week, i feel tired, but look very good
I exercise primarily for brain health. I used to hate it but my anxiety has gone way down since I started working out regularly.
I do workout 6 days a week and trust me its an awesome feeling ?
Most people exercise for the aesthetics but I think it is just as important for your mental health. Excellent points!
The question isn’t what happens, it’s how to make it happen. How do I start exercising? The answer is simple: consume as much sugar as possible to burn though the rush. Boom instant weight loss.
Some people say they are generally happier when they exercise, but for me it’s the complete opposite. I worked out 5 days a week and ate healthily for 3 years and hated every second of it. Sure, my body looked nice, but it honestly wasn’t worth it. I stopped 2 months ago and I’m honestly so much happier.
Yeah, I started running in morning or afternoon since 2 months ago. It helps me to deal with my insomnia!
Really loved reading this! You are simply the best! So encouraging, positive and happy!
What do you guys recommend for a workout every day without using any sort of machines or going to the gym ?
Do any of you who daily exercise experience muscle cramp from the buttock to thigh after waking up? I need some explaination .
Been working out for a year now and it feels AWESOME. Lost so much weight! You just have to stick with it.
Wow thanks for making me feel like I must get back into it this is really good thank you
I used to exercise 6 days a week and I would just end up burning out come winter. So now I do 3 to 4 days and have never felt better mentally and physically.
Exercising is all fun and games until you tear your ACL in a game of baseball and can’t run for at least a whole year ?
Great info here, thanks! I get “runners itch” when I first start working out. But it usually resides within 1-2 days.
My depression actually came to a halt when I started exercise. It’s only been a week too. Thanks for the motivation!
I love information like this and want more details, but am not interested in googling it cause I’m THAT lazy ?
Come on guys it reduces your health problems and prolongs your life.. surely you can’t let that pass by? Stick to it and I swear it becomes a great hobby plus it can benefit you in so many different ways.
I train 5-6 days a week, but I never manage to keep my diet clean. Anyone have any tips to eat healthy?
I trained twice a week for 2 years i still cant run for 10 mins withouth feeling breathless ?
Honestly I feel terrible if I don’t workout and it clears my head of fog and feel full of energy.
????? thank you!! That was just what I needed to hear. Was feeling so unmotivated lately.
I’ve been working out at home for about 8 months, the best result I got are mental ones. Never felt more strongly mentally.
Joining the gym is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I love being active and working out .
I hope this article motivates everyone! wishing everyone the best of luck 🙂
Running and gyming comes very handy especially when you are going through rough phases in life.
Plus you will feel so much better about yourself. Both because of completing each workout and for seeing the results.
one thing is for sure is if your doing it right you will be sore all the time damn it, but compliments start to come in.? and you feel good, especially the strength increases. hate it at first to love it later?✔
Does getting off the couch walking to the kitchen to get a donut count for exercise?? ?
This is kinda ironic. I used to do extreme leg workouts every other day and got arthritis ??
Stretch stretch Stretch! A good stretch before workouts really helps and a good stretch before bed ?
Working out daily has changed my life. I’ve become better every year. You guys should try it!
Exercise daily will makes you feel better about yourself.And this will gain your confidence. So you dont have to be shy to talk to your crush. Plus,you’ll look more muscular and chicks dig that! ?
Working out is like your credit score it takes forever to see results but once you do… ?
After working out for years, gym culture wore me out. I work out at home now
Its a part of my eat clean plan, exercise make me have a good sleep and wake up early, I feel so refresh, it really produce positive mind energy, I started to love it!
Good info! I love exercising regularly. I run daily and I do short runs and a swim almost daily & my long runs are 5-6 miles .
This is a good little article with good advice and knowledge. Very good for the beginner to learn what to expect from their body…
I do exercises daily, and after exercise I smoke a cigarette is it cool ? I only smoke 1 cigarette a day 😐 and I want to quit it
Have started my workout 2 months ago, 15 to 30 minutes at morning and night, sneak to toilet doing the inclined push-up or stretching at work..happy to see my muscles and strength are getting stronger and stronger❤
i started working out to lose weight but i actually really enjoy it. i already lost the weight that i wanted to lose (it was only 15 lbs so it was easy) but i’m still exercising. i just feel so much better about myself and i always feel energized after working out
I hate working out, but I love how I feel afterwards. I feel like I have energy, my body doesn’t feel stiff all the time, and my flexibility increases. The validation that something is gonna change helps out tho lol
I wonder how many people drop out of an exercise program because they have unrealistic expectations on when results should show up. ..
All you people that do exercise cuz you want to lose weight will gain it back. Do it cuz you love it and it’ll be difficult to give up
I can exercise but I can’t use healthy and diet food its just ehh so what’s the point for me to work out
I find it satisfying to workout. I love the feeling of accomplishment too after an especially hard workout.
what if you exercise regularly but you eat fast food 3 times a week? i’m asking for a friend…
This is really motivating. I’m trying to drops 10 pounds and get abs ?
This has got me in the positive mood to start exercising I’m gonna do it this time. but, let.. me… just finish my.. Häagen-Dazs.. first…
Today is my third day. after a long time of break. I’m running and exercising for two hours and half a day. My bones are burning, but I think it’s normal. It’s a bit discouraging, but I trust It will stop aching soon.
I have been so busy with business that I stopped going to gym. I’ve been back at gym for a month, it helped me in business as well.
Thank you for the encouragement to continue regularly exercising, and having a plant-based diet! ?
What about for someone who is exercising daily as a routine to have a different lifestyle?
I’m going to start working out regularly starting January 1st. I want lose a few pound. I’ll come back to this comment in a year and see if I actually did it lol
This article came in time perfectly. I used to have very active lifestyle about 7 years ago. Then slowly felt tired and heavy along the years. Just last week I started to do walking and jumping rope and jogging. Played basketball two days ago and I’m starting to feel energized again. Thanks to this motivating article.
I’ve been working out for about 6 days and I can definitely tell the difference I feel, I suffer from anxiety and depression. I sleep so much better, I cut out sugars and caffeine and workout about 20-25 minutes a day. It’s the only thing I look forward to.
I never thought I’d ever be the person to talk about my success story in terms of exercise, but one day a friend took me to the gym and I pretty much haven’t stopped exercising since. If I can do it, everybody else totally can.
Good job, James! I’m so proud of you! Keep up the good work. Your body will reap all the benefits.
It took me about two months to stop feeling absolutely exhausted everyday from doing excercise, I’ve been constantly working out for about 5 months and I have way more energy than I have had in a long time but it was very difficult during the first two months, I guess that’s why people quit before seeing results.
Wish I could get motivated to start exercise but I am just so god damn lazy.
Exercise is fun. I started a routine a few weeks ago and I already feel a lot better about myself and what I can accomplish.
Exercise makes me have a good sleep after so I tend to workout at our house during the night. If you really want some intense ones, go hike up some mountains. That’s a good strength and endurance work out with the elements.
The best part about losing weight/getting fit is that it sucks and its one of the hardest things youll do in life, but once you see those results on the scale and in the mirror, it becomes an addiction.
I love this piece! I started exercise about a month ago I lost 10 lbs and feel great now.
I am so lazy when it concerns exercise and I procrastinate and this article gave me a lot of hope to start again.
Nothing really improves overnight, so don’t take it too seriously if you miss a day of workout. You can always do it the next day. Be positive.
Find the right motivation if you really want to workout. One more thing is that aside from wanting to lose weight, find another motivation. Losing weight isn’t an easy goal because it can take months before you see any difference. You’ll end up disappointed.
Whenever i’m finished with a workout, unless i’m not half-dead, i feel guilty like i didn’t push myself enough. I feel like a warrior when i do push myself though, it’s great.
“Success hinges on setting the right expectations for yourself.” — Which is why we really need to lower our expectations a little if by any chance its too hard for us. Do it step by step and don’t immediately aim for an hour of workout.
Yeah, I’m planning to do this from now on. Guess I was doing it wrong all this time..! ?
Great info! I have been working out for the past 6 months and lost 37lb, I feel extremely healthier and stronger, thanks to my hard work
Exercise has a lot of benefits. Eversince I started doing a little cardio here and there, I was able to focus on work more. I love the feeling. I was actually less lethargic too.
We really need to focus on the now instead of other things. We also need to keep looking forward intead of beating ourselves up for that workout we missed.?
Recently, I’ve been going easy on myself. Days ago it was my first time working out after quite a while and even though I was tired in just a 10 minute mark, I let it go. Now I’ve been doing it for a week and I’ve extended up to 20 minutes but I feel better.
After reading this, I feel like I’m ready to start working out and commit to it. I’m going to start small from now on.?
I agree that not wanting to workout is just a mind over body thing. Others still workout even if they’re tired after work or sore body.