I know everyone wants to lose weight and look their best, but there’s so much more that happens along your path to a healthier life. I started my own journey for more aesthetic reasons (which is totally fine), but my health surpasses my weight and how I look by so much now. My health is something I’m truly in tune with now and that has been pushed to the top of my list of priorities. Everyone’s life, health, and journey to health will look different. One thing is similar though, going down this journey is a sort of self discovery where you can learn so much about your own self.
It gives you Strength.
You have to push yourself, mentally and physically. In order to get stronger and get results, you have to push through the pain and excuses to the end. This looks different for everyone, but for me, this is pushing everything else aside in my mind and focusing fully on the the workout in front of me. It’s picking up the heavy weights and pushing through that last set. It may just be physical at first, for you, but with time it will become more of a mental focus as well. This gives you strength you never knew you had! I’m telling you, that is an empowering thing right there. Doing things you never thought you could do before, and surpassing the things you imagined for yourself when you first started all of this. This is something you have full control over and that no one can take from you. It’s your body and the strength you’ve built with your own body. That’s something to be proud of.
It gives you Confidence.
Some of us say we are confident, others think they’re confident, and then some people really are. If you’re like me, you may be able to pretend like you are but deep down inside you aren’t really lol. I don’t care which one of these you are, though, your improved fitness and health will help with your confidence level. I’m not saying it’s just because you lose weight, gain muscle, or look better. I’m saying this because you know you’re getting the work done and you’re discovering things about your body that you’ve never known before. Your newfound strength that I mentioned above plays into this as well, because that new strength is something that builds your confidence as well. When you realize your body is capable of great things and that you’re able to transform it, there is something so empowering that happens. You really begin to see yourself differently, and for some, this is a step that leads to finding the self love you may have never had before.
It gives you more Happiness.
So you’re a happy person already? What if I told you that better health would lead to more happiness in your life?! It’s true. Working out, eating right, and taking care of your body leads to your body rewarding you. Your body releases hormones that literally make you happier from, for example, a good workout! There are plenty of studies showing how this sort of lifestyle can help patients with severe depression and anxiety. This happiness will for sure shine through and reflect on your life and your relationships. It’s amazing how this lifestyle change can shine through to all aspects of your life.
It gives you Freedom.
When you grow older and have grandkids, do you want to be able to play with them? Run with them? Pick them up? That’s what your health can either allow or prevent. The more we take care of our bodies, the more freedom it will give us! If we don’t use the muscles given to us or nourish our bodies with good food, then the body won’t function like it is supposed to. Plus! Leading a healthier lifestyle gives you way more energy to do the things you want to do. It doesn’t matter how old you are, eventually, your sedentary lifestyle and poor eating habits will catch up to you and your health. Make the decision now to prevent those problems so you can do all the things you want to do for as long as possible!
The list could literally go on forever, but these are just some things that ring out to me. The point is, there is way more to your health than just looks. You gain so so much when you decide to truly take care of your body.
XOXO
Devon