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Health & Fitness

Top Reasons, Other Than Weight Loss, to Continue Exercising

Estée is a certified Sports Nutritionist and Personal Trainer. She welcomes your comments at eross@goldsgymtewksbury.com.

Dear Fitness Coach,

I reached my weight-loss goal of 36 pounds last month through the Atkins diet and exercise. Even though I have been exercising three times a week for the past 7 months without fail, I have pretty much hated every minute of it. If I stick with the Atkins maintenance plan, do I really need to break a sweat? I am a young guy, in my early 20s, so it's not as if I need to work out for my health.

Exerciser Despiser


Dear Despiser,

I can come up with lots of reasons why to continue to exercise, but it's not going to make any difference if you have made up your mind not to. Being young and male makes it easier to burn more calories a day at rest, even if you do not exercise. Your testosterone (which helps maintain muscle) is at peak levels, and your muscle mass is in a holding pattern throughout your 20s.

You will start to lose 1% to 2% of muscle mass every year starting in your 30s. However, there are other reasons besides weight loss to work out. Here are the top reasons for you to continue to exercise:

  1. Weight maintenance:
    95% of people who lose weight will gain it all back. 
  2. Sleep better:
    You will not necessarily sleep longer, but it will be a much more restful sleep.
  3. Improve mental acuity:
    Studies show you think clearer, with a memory boost, after exercise.
  4. Boost your confidence:
    Exercise makes you feel more accomplished.
  5. Helps you de-stress:
    Tough day at the office? Pounding it out on the treadmill will help you relax.
  6. Increase energy levels:
    You'll feel a lot more energetic after a workout than couch-potatoing it.
  7. Better sex life:
    Exercise improves circulation and prevents dysfunction.
  8. You'll be much happier:
    All this combined will make a much happier you!
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