Benefits of Regular Exercise

[KamGT]

Originally Posted by nightlysparrow

Knock off the carbs. Eat protein, vegetables, a little fresh fruit. Also stop any caffeine (taper off to prevent headache). Sugar should go, too. For the first 2 days, you'll drag, but after that, energy! Not to mention, weight loss begins.

Absolutely. I have done the same thing. I am as strong as an ox now eating a low carb diet and slimming down with weightlifting and moderate cardio, while others beside me on the treadmill look like they are running for their lives.

[jade408]

I started a new job that added a longer commute for me, so it took me a few months to get into a routine. Now that I am fitting in my workout days consistently, my sleep is better, I fall asleep faster and wake up more easily.

That in itself is a huge plus for exercise for me. (Chronic insomniac here)

[romehyper]

You don't need to radically change your body shape to get a confidence surge from exercise. Studies suggest that simply seeing fitness improvements, like running a faster mile or lifting more weight than before, can improve your self-esteem and body image.

[carlitasway]

For me it's better sleep, reduced stress and better orgasms

[sholomar]

It seems to burn off cortisol and adrenaline from the system that might have built up from a stressful day at work. This is particularly true when intervals are introduced into the jog. The end result is a more relaxed body for those who do not, for example, get regular sex or affection from a loved one and need some other way to blow off steam.

Getting off the carbs and eating low glycemic carbs (canned black beans and "beanitos" potato chips are staple carbs in my diet) seems to make the body feel better as well as making it easier to lose weight, since when people eat delicious high carb foods, it creates a craving that leads to more calories per day consumed, though I must admit my craving for a simple bag of pinto bean/cheddar beanitos which I dip in a can of tuna mixed with mayo, mustard, and spices, is pretty high.. though I find I can eat many more low glycemic calories and not gain weight.

[augiedogie]

I read an article the other day about a research paper. According to the studies that were looked at, one of the benefits of more exercise was actually MORE energy.

[nostoneunturned]

Originally Posted by RGear9

By exercising, I get more energy, motivation, and focus. The biggest benefit I've noticed is that regular exercise has triggered other good habits that helps me get in better shape both physically and mentally. Like a ripple effect. You only get one body. Live and learn to make the best of it.

This. When I don't exercise for awhile, it's amazing how lazy and unmotivated I become. Eating well, sleep hygiene, other health concerns, just fall to the wayside. I think, "I don't need to exercise, I can lose weight just tracking calories!" But it's torturous, like I'm sitting around waiting for things to happen. When I do exercise, everything falls into place: eat better so I can work out more efficiently, sleep better, all the good stuff, and presto! Weight falls off easy-peasy.

More importantly, my mood improves drastically, I have more energy than I know what to do with, and I suffer less ailments.

[Sarahsez]

I feel really good when I exercise. I found out a couple of years ago that I'm a strong candidate for diabetes. The lower carb diet along with the exercise has given me a lot more energy and endurance. I've plateaued on the weight loss, but my body has been gaining more definition.