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7 Early Benefits Of A New Fitness Routine
The world of fitness divides opinion. For some people, the fitness routine is a way of life. It is an integral part of their day, and they couldn’t even imagine skipping a workout. They claim many health benefits to a fit and active lifestyle, such as stress relief, stronger bones and muscles, and mindfulness.
However, when you are new to fitness and desperately trying to introduce a routine into your lifestyle, working out is an unpleasant, stressful, and highly challenging experience. It takes a lot of time to achieve the benefits fitness aficionados describe. At first, working out is a time-demanding activity that you dread. Indeed, your body isn’t acclimated to physical pressure. So, exercising feels both exhausting and painful. At the start of your fitness journey, working out is a chore that is anything but fun and enjoyable. When you struggle to build a fitness routine, you need to distract your mind with tangible and visible positive results. So which are the first benefits you can notice when you start exercising? Here are 7 things that will help you stay motivated.
#1. Your digestion improves dramatically
Do you suffer from digestive issues? Whether you find it tricky to be regular or experience frequent stomach cramps or bloating, these issues can be linked to an inactive lifestyle. Indeed, sitting at a desk all day has severe consequences on your digestive health, affecting your bowel movements and your intestines.
Exercise provides a rapid remedy to digestive problems linked to prolonged sitting. Maintaining a regular workout routine can support your digestive system in many ways:
- It encourages food to travel faster through the digestive tract;
- It encourages you to drink more, which can also help digestion;
- It reduces unpleasant pressure from sitting down;
- It reduces acid reflux linked to a slow digestive process.
#2. You will sleep better
Our lifestyle is often responsible for poor sleep quality. Prolonged exposure to screens can affect sleep patterns. Nowadays, most modern screens are treated to reduce artificial blue light from affecting your circadian rhythm. Blue light typically confuses the brain, making it think it is daytime. Yet, modern screens are less likely to disturb the circadian rhythm. Instead, it’s the mindless interaction with the screen that can steal our sleep away. From accidental Netflix binge to scrolling through your social media feeds for fear of missing out, these habits could keep you awake late at night.
What difference does exercise make? Scientists agree that working out can help you sleep better for various reasons. First of all, exercising tires you out, which means you are less prone to engage with a screen for an extended time. Additionally, it could help the brain release sleep hormones. Biologically, the process is still unknown, yet doctors know that aerobic exercises significantly decrease insomnia.
#3. You can turn playing games into fitness
The idea of hitting the treadmill at the gym may not be your idea of fun. However, replacing the gym with team games, such as pickleball or volleyball, can completely transform your approach to fitness. Games are inherently more enjoyable than building a solo workout routine. They can not only burn more calories, but they also keep you motivated and engaged throughout the entire match. When it comes to staying fit, options that encourage you to play and socialize with a team are a popular solution. Indeed, they combine friendship, laughter, and the rush of trying to beat the opposite team, which can make you forget that you are exercising! If you are unsure where to start with fitness games, it’s a good idea to aim for low-impact sports accessible to beginners. Pickleball is popular, so you might want to check some helpful pickleball equipment reviews before choosing your gear. Badminton is another great option.
#4. You learn to challenge yourself
Fitness is challenging in its own right. If you want to see physical benefits, you will need to challenge yourself. As the saying goes: No pain, no gain. But the first benefit you will notice when you face fitness challenges is not physical. It is mental. Indeed, regardless of your fitness level and your activity of choice, you need to learn to push yourself. It can be in the little things, such as hitting the ball a little harder or performing just one more rep at the gym. You build valuable resilience as you learn to push through your fatigue and discomfort. It won’t take long for you to realize that you are stronger than you think. Your mindset will evolve dramatically through the process. You become the person who looks at any challenge in the eye and says, “yes, I can”. It’s a huge win in day-to-day life!
#5. Your diet evolves to fuel your body
You need an energy boost. If sugar or caffeine are your go-to solutions, fitness will show you a new way of fueling your body. Being physically active means you learn more about what your body needs. You physically feel the difference between grabbing a donut and a bowl of rolled oats before a workout. Fitness helps you improve your diet to keep your body strong and healthy.
#6. You find someone who roots for you
If you choose to exercise with a personal trainer, you can build a positive relationship with someone who helps you through your fitness journey. Working out with a coach means you can perform safe and beneficial exercises for the body. Additionally, you’ve got someone who follows your progress, supports and motivates you. The coach is both your mentor and your cheerleader. And we all need a cheerleader to keep us going!
#7. You’re proud of yourself
Regardless of whether you’ve got a fitness goal or not, you’ve got every right to be proud of your journey. Pushing yourself is no easy task. So the simple fact that you are not giving up is worth celebrating. Mentally and emotionally, sticking to a fitness routine can give you a sense of achievement and self-confidence. Exercising boosts your self-esteem, not because you are changing your shape and fitness levels, but because you are not afraid to challenge yourself.
In conclusion, starting your fitness journey can be daunting. However, with the right mindset, you can reap the early benefits of your new routine. Granted, it will take months to notice changes in strength and weight if those are your goals. But changes in self-worth, sleep patterns, digestive and eating health will be almost immediate.
