This blog was written by guest blogger Maria Ginsbourg.
“So you want to lose weight?”
“No. I just want to be healthy.”
“So toning?”
He didn’t get it, and I’m not surprised. Our culture is obsessed with appearances. Popular men’ s magazines say Get Ripped. Women’s magazines say Lose Weight. Considering the myriad of benefits that exercise offers, focusing on appearances seems a little – dare I say it – superficial. After all, if ‘Getting Ripped’ or “Losing Weight” are our only goals, then what stops us from trying fad diets, extreme workouts, and magic pills?
What if our exercise goals went a little deeper?
(The links take you to external sites, which provide information on achieving these very worthwhile goals.)
Live Longer and Healthier
- Reduce the risk of breast cancer.
- Reduce the risk of heart-attacks
- Offset osteoporosis, a bone disorder that affects many older women.
- Reduce the risk of diabetes
- Prevent falls by improving your sense of balance
Have a Stronger Mind & Spirit
- Improve your mood
- Deal with stress better
- Manage depression
- Improve mental concentration
- Sleep better
Be healthier now
- Increase your energy (get more done with less fatigue)
- Strengthen your immune system
- Increase fertility
Improve your relationships
Some people say it doesn’t matter why you exercise as long as you do it. I believe that if people exercise for the right reasons, they’re more likely to have fun, stay safe and stick to their exercise regimen.