Why I Love Working Out: Reasons 1 to 3
Every day that I worked out this week, I came away feeling refreshed and alive. After a good weight training or Thai boxing session, I really feel like I have done my mind, body and spirit some good. I’m sure everyone has his/her own reasons for working out. Allow me to give just three reasons for why I not only work out, but why I love it.
Reason 1: I’m Taking Care of My Body, Mind and Spirit
With every rep and rep in the gym, with every stationary bike HIIT session, with every punch, kick, knee and elbow I throw in Thai boxing, I know that I am taking care of the only body that the Good Lord has blessed me with in this lifetime. With regular exercise (along with proper diet) my overall stress level is low, I’m better able to handle the stress of everyday life, I’m more relaxed, I sleep better, lovemaking is soooo much better (more on that later), I’m in a better mood; in other words, working out puts me at peace with the universe. The connection between body, mind and spirit is real, and I feel like I am nurturing all three with a healthy lifestyle.
As a result of regular consistent training over the past year, I have noticed some startling improvements in my physique and cardiovascular endurance. At one time, I was able to rest my folded arms on my portly pot-belly; now, the gut has shrunk precipitously. Whereas once there were man-boobs, there are now buff pecks. (I don’t care what anyone says, boobs only look good on women, not men!) Not only do I feel better, I’m looking better.
Reason 2: It Certainly Beats Being Overweight, Out of Shape and Unhealthy
I have blogged previously on what motivated me to get into shape. It is absolutely no fun being overweight and out of shape. I remember a time last year when I was taking my wife to work one day. We were stopped at a red traffic light, and I just began noticing pedestrians going about their business. I noticed something that really disheartened me, and felt compelled to share it with my wife: We are a society of obese people, and it is killing us individually and collectively.
Given all of the information out there about the adverse health consequences of being overweight and unhealthy, it breaks my heart that so many of our fellow Americans do not take their health and well-being more seriously. This is particularly true for Black Americans, since studies show that we are the unhealthiest group of people in America.
One of the health problems that blacks suffer from more than anyone else is hypertension, or high blood pressure. According to WebMD.com, blacks develop hypertension at younger ages than other groups in the U.S., and are more likely to develop the health complications associated with hypertension; namely, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, dementia, and blindness.
Researchers point to environmental and genetic factors as probable causes for why blacks suffer disproportionately from hypertension. However, knowing what I know now, I surmise that blacks suffer from hypertension for the two main reasons why the rest of American society is so unhealthy: As a group, we do not eat right, and we do not exercise.
If more blacks would eat healthier meals in more sensible portions (stop cooking everything we consume in artery-clogging grease, for example) and take up moderate consistent exercise at least three times a week, I’ll bet my next paycheck that the rates of hypertension, obesity and other related health problems would drop considerably.
We know what the problem is, and we know what we need to do about it. Now, we just need to do it.
Reason 3: Improved Sexual Stamina
I came across an article where French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s personal trainer is quoted as saying that, as a result of a 10-month exercise regimen that has helped him shed nine pounds and two pants sizes, the French head of state has also experienced improved performance in the boudoir. (And, given that he’s married to a babe of a wife, I say “Très bien, monsieur!”)
As a happily married man, my wife and I have also noticed a demonstrable increase in my sexual stamina and endurance. Given the well-documented correlation between regular exercise and sexual performance, it’s no wonder that President Sarkozy and I can’t stop smiling.
In fact, not only does regular exercise improve your sex life, an active sex life helps you lose weight! Think of it as two sides of the same satisfying coin.
In an article entitled “Using Sex for Weight Loss,” FoxNews.com Sexpert Yvonne K. Fulbright writes:
“Combining sex and fitness is like killing two birds with one stone. Sex gets you fit. And being fit makes you want to have more sex… Women, in particular, feel more attractive with sexual fitness, since they produce more estrogen. This makes for shinier, smoother hair. Both sexes glow as their skin pores become cleansed, thanks to sweating. They feel sexier than ever. Perhaps most exciting for many is the fact that a robust sexercise routine can have you looking one to seven years younger from being happier, better rested, less stressed and more content. And being content goes way beyond general well-being. “
Medical researchers have pinpointed 10 benefits of healthy lovemaking in a loving relationship:
1. Stress relief;
2. A boosted immune system;
3. Burning calories;
4. Improved cardiovascular health;
5. Increased self-esteem;
6. Improved intimacy;
7. Pain reduction, due to the surge of oxytocin and endorphins;
8. Reduced risk of prostate cancer;
9. Strengthening of the Pelvic Floor Muscles;
10. Improved Sleep.
To sum it all up, when you’re in shape, everything works so much better. Everything.
There you have it. Those are just three of the reasons why I love working out. What are yours?
