Other benefits to working out

[DawnB]

Like most people I tend to focus on the scale and the mirror when evaluating how I'm doing. Over the weekend I took some time to think about the overall picture and really appreciate the progress I've made. Over the last 17 months: my weight has gone from 145 to 116, my blood pressure has gone from 130/80 to 118/70, my resting pulse from 80 to 66 and my cholesterol from 192 to 152. I can now jog 5 miles instead of getting out of breath after a few blocks. I used to go 6 to 9 months inbetween periods and am now having regular cycles. I feel better now than I did 9 years ago at 25.

Thanks to Cathe and all of you on the board for the great advice and inspiration that has helped me come this far.

Dawn

 

[Soosan]

Wow, Dawn! That's some progress! I'm sure you're finding that the benefits of improved health and fitness have spilled over into other areas in your life as well. Congratulations!

 

[cab54]

Good for you for looking at something besides the scale or mirror for your fitness goal, today. When you get older (like me) the health benefits you mentioned and the strength will be so appreciated.

 

[dshepperd]

Congratulations on your progress Dawn!

Here are the side benefits I notice when I'm working out consistently:

- I sleep better
- My back doesn't hurt as much or as often (especially when picking up my toddler)
- I get sick much less frequently

Now if I could only convince my husband that staying fit might help his bursitis (in addition to all the other benefits).

Dana

 

[macska]

The other priceless benefit of exercising for me is that my "emotional weather" is "bright and sunny with very occasional thunderstorms".

 

[futurefitnessdyanmo]

I agree with you - exercise keeps my emotions on a even keel, and can almost always make me feel better in tough situations. I've also noticed that the experience of having those times when i have to work up the motivation to work out helps with other things in my life that I don't necessary want to do but know I need to - because of exercise, I know that if I can just get started, its not as hard as I thought it would be - this almost always works for me!

 

[Carol_is_fit]

Amen to that!! Working out keeps me sane. Seriously. There are so many benefits to regular exercise, we could fill an entire forum just trying to list them all!!

Carol