5 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Wait to Begin Your Fitness Journey
Alright, yall are going to have to forgive me in advance if this one makes you a bit… let's say, convicted.
You may have been living life on the sedentary side.
You’ve been promising yourself that you were at least going to start doing the warm-up exercises from highschool PE.
Yeah. You know just as well as I do that you have been telling yourself that for too long. Now you’re starting to feel the wear and tear of being a piece of aging matter.
I really want to tell you that everything will be ok. Like, just change 17 things about your personal self and develop 7 completely unfamiliar habits simultaneously, and you too can have the body of your dreams! High five!Sorry, folks. In real life, you are going to have to:
- Accept where you are now
- Be honest about your willingness to change
- Set realistic goals
- GET OFF YOUR ASS AND ATTACK THEM
There you have it. Now, go get it!
If only it were that easy. People, be patient with yourselves and whatever your process takes. Don’t allow the hottest reels and viral videos of your favorite influencers or celebrities give you a false sense of what and who YOU ARE. The person reading this is more than likely a full grown adult with great reasoning skills. I am still here to tell you that I personally have seen some very intelligent people do some questionable things in the name of social media.
Since we are being intelligent in 2024, let's pay attention to 5 reasons why you are going to stop putting off saving your own life.
1. Preventing Age-Related Health Decline:
It’s the craziest thing how we humans can make noise and a mess out of the most mundane things. When it comes to the scientific fact that just a little exercise changes our health in a big way; the fact that the majority of people don't work out at all is crazy!
Regular exercise can slow down the effects of aging on the body. It helps in maintaining muscle mass, bone density, and joint flexibility, which are crucial for overall mobility and reducing the risk of falls and fractures. It never seems like it applies until we are creaky in the morning or out of breath after a few stair steps.
2. Enhancing Cognitive Function:
Physical activity has been linked to improved brain health. It can enhance cognitive functions, reduce the risk of dementia, and improve memory and focus in older adults. Whenever I do research on exercise stats, I always find new articles and findings linking exercise directly to brain health. You could even find some work being done combining exercise with mental health therapy. Seems like health providers are catching on.
3. Managing Chronic Conditions:
Many aging individuals deal with chronic conditions like arthritis, diabetes, or heart disease. Regular exercise can help manage these conditions, reducing symptoms and dependency on medications. This one actually bothers me, but it still needs to be here. I want to implore the reader not to let it get here if possible. Start now!
4. Boosting Mental Health:
Exercise is a great mood enhancer, combating age-related mental health issues like depression and loneliness. It also promotes better sleep, which can sometimes be a challenge for older adults. Again, as mental health challenges become more of an issue in society, it has become more clear that regular exercise improves our mental status. Here is what people miss with this one. When you train, you are mentally boosted from SEVERAL sources. This is something that is difficult to duplicate. Here are the ways:
- Natural chemical boost
- Personal development/achievement boost
- Building relationship (Fitness Coach, gym buddies, group training)
I really want you guys to understand the importance of having these things in our lives. Many of us are lacking in this area, and it affects our mental health negatively. Another article for another day.
5. Independence and Quality of Life:
Staying physically active is key to maintaining independence in older age. It allows you to continue performing daily tasks and engaging in activities you enjoy, which greatly contributes to a better quality of life. I don’t know about you all, but I am trying to be able to shoot a basketball when I’m in my sixties… just because!
I desire to travel in and with style in my elder years. Moving and grooving.
I am with you. I too have work to do. It is called a journey. There is no destination. Constant change.
This has been another reminder for you to START!
For more content from Umoja, including workout videos and health & wellness tips, find him on social media platforms
