We all have
our own reasons for working out. And while all reasons have value (and there is
nothing wrong with wanting to feel good about what you see in the mirror), some
reasons for heading to the gym are definitely better and more motivating than
others.
In fact, the
goals you set and the reasons why you work out can help set the tone for
your entire lifestyle and can play a role in your long-term health. Of course,
it is recommended that you choose empowering and uplifting reasons to
lose weight and work out.
I have listed
a few common reasons for exercising that may initially seem like good
motivation to hit the gym but can actually be unhealthy or destructive. I have
included some suggestions on how to change your incentive in a more positive
way.
Reason: Exercising
so you can eat whatever you want.
If your sole motivation to work out is to help make up for your regular fast
food or dessert habit, it's time to re-examine your priorities. Sure, working
out can allow you to offset the calories of indulging in more food, but it's
much easier to overeat calories than it is to burn them off. In fact, it takes
about an hour of jogging to burn off just one Big Mac (and that doesn't
include the fries and soda). Not to mention that exercise can't always undo the
negative health effects of a poor diet. Sweets and other junk foods don't give
you all the vitamins and minerals you need to reach your fitness goals, either.
Better
reason:
Exercise to indulge occasionally in your favorite treats.
Instead of exercising to eat whatever
you want, think of it as a way to support your healthy lifestyle by boosting
your health and happiness—not trying to make up for a bad diet. You'll still be
able to enjoy a treat now and again without worrying so much about the extra
calories, but the key is to make those treats occasional—not the norm.
Reason: Exercising
to run away from your problems.
We all come across problems and stress in our lives, and exercise can be a good
stress reducer. But if you're using exercise as a way to escape and run away
from all of your problems, you may be asking for trouble. Exercise alone won't
solve everything; you must deal with life's struggles directly.
Better
reason:
Exercise to be better equipped to handle problems as they arise.
Instead of running away from your
problems, use your work out time to clear your head for a while or use the time
to think through any issues you may be facing. Sometimes, when you're engaged
in physical activity, a new solution or idea will come to you that you can then
implement in your life to resolve issues. But remember to use exercise as an
outlet for improving your life—not a way to stick your head in the sand to
avoid your thoughts and feelings.
Reason: To
energize when you're lacking sleep.
Exercise is known as a natural energy booster, but if you're using workouts as
a way to get going when you're not getting enough sleep in the first place, you
could be doing your body more harm than good. Without proper rest, you could
experience the effects of overtraining,
which can break down your muscles and make you weaker. Not to mention that too
many sleepless nights have many adverse health effects; from weight gain to an
elevated risk of heart disease. Add strenuous exercise on top of poor sleeping
habits, and your body could view your workouts as yet another stressor.
Better
reason:
Exercise to improve your overall health, including the quality of your sleep. It's so important to respect your
body and give yourself the rest it needs. Instead of amping yourself up with
exercise, work out because you want to improve your overall health, happiness and sleep. Research shows that exercise
can improve sleep patterns, so start focusing on the positives
instead of using exercise as a quick fix to get through your day. If you have
to make a tough choice between sleeping a few extra hours or exercising, choose
sleep most of the time so you can meet your body's need for Z’s! If you choose
the gym over adequate sleep too often, your body may not benefit in the way you
had hoped!
Reason: Because
you feel fat.
Do you
hit the gym hard the morning after a night of unhealthy eating to help you undo
the previous night's damage? While a good bout of exercise can get you back on
track, what you don't want to do is punish yourself with exercise. Working out
shouldn't feel like torture or used as a way to right your wrongs when it comes
to food. When you do that, you're completely missing how awesome exercise is
for your health and well-being—and you could be on a slippery slope that leads
to more serious food
and fitness issues (such as exercise bulimia).
Better
reason:
Exercise to feel strong and energetic.
Instead of punishing yourself by overdoing your workouts, focus on how great exercise makes you feel.
From feeling strong and energetic to perking up your mood and improving your
health, moving your body is more than a way to burn calories—it helps you take
care of yourself inside and out!
Reason: To get
skinny.
There is
nothing wrong with wanting to look good, and exercise can help you get there.
But if you view exercise as nothing more than a means to fit into a certain
size, you could be sabotaging yourself. Regardless of body size or weight,
working out is a must for everyone! If you view exercise as a temporary fix, a
chore to achieve your dream body, or if you're exercising in extreme amounts or
intensities in order to "get skinny," you must change your
mentality. These are unhealthy reasons to exercise that are simply
not sustainable. If you choose to go this route, the only thing you'll end up
with is a major motivation problem.
Better
reason:
Exercise—at any weight—because it's good for you.
Exercise isn't just for people who
need to lose weight—even "skinny" people need to work out for their
health and well-being! So, instead of focusing your workouts on looking a
certain way or being a certain size, refocus on finding workouts that you
enjoy—you will then stick with them for the long haul. This goes for intensity,
too. If you can't keep up with long workouts five days every week, switch to
something that you can maintain as part of your healthy lifestyle. There is
nothing wrong with working out to feel more confident about your body—but it's
not the only reason to do it. Come up with a list of exercise benefits that
matter to you, and think of them when your motivation is low—or when
your body isn't responding the way you'd like. Because even then, you will
still benefit and reach other fitness goals.
Working out
for the right reasons will not only help your body reach optimal health, but
your emotional health will benefit too. So, the next time you head to the gym
because you "feel fat" or want to undo some hefty eating, think about
the real reason you're working out—to improve the quality and longevity of your
life!
“You may not feel pretty every day, but someone out there loves you and
thinks you’re beautiful in every way. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. You’re amazing. You’re
perfect just the way you are. Don’t ever let the words of someone else bring
you down. It’s not the words of other people that should matter, it should be the
words from you that mean the most. Love yourself.” --unknown
