Major Benefits Of Regular Exercise (that you're overlooking)

When it comes to activity, there are more benefits of regular exercise than a scale number or how you look- so much more. Being active regularly improves your quality of life in almost every way- so don't underestimate it.

There is so much more to leading a fit lifestyle than workouts! Your "activity" doesn't always need to be penciled into the calendar, three times per week for sixty minutes.

Likewise, the activity should be things you enjoy doing day to day that require movement, keep your blood flowing, and boost your health.

Don't get me wrong, as a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist I love scheduled workouts and there are a lot of perks to resistance training. I truly believe that the SMASH Fit For Life workouts help busy moms in every aspect of their lives.

But it's not everything.

Further, playing with kids, going for hikes, biking to s festival, pulling a wagon, snowboarding etc. None of these things are scheduled "workouts" but all of them are great for you.

When it comes to the benefits of regular exercise and activity I think we have it wrong. In fact, it's not all about how you look. GASP. Believe it or not, there are many more perks to staying fit than your waistline.

Thus, below are a few of the reasons I love being a fit mama and why we should all strive to stay active

Benefits Of Regular Exercise: It Improves Your Sleep

Staying fit, running around after kids, and enjoying being outside is fun.. but a lot of work for your body! Thus, your body prioritizes sleep at the end of the day so it can recover and repair.

As a matter of fact, people who lead active lives tend to sleep better (not as much waking in the middle of the night) and they get into a deeper sleep (in order for your body to perform optimally).

If you're lazing on the couch all day your body hasn't really been stimulated enough to need rest.

Regular Physical Activity Keeps You Mobile

Ever heard the saying "if you don't use it you'll lose it"? Well, it's true. After a while of not using our muscles or our range of motion, we become unable to.

While many trainers will preach the importance of specific mobility work (like the shoulders and hip mobility especially), part of the equation is simply moving your body on a daily basis.

This is why in the SMASH home workout program I include mini, monthly mobility sessions too.

One of the biggest benefits of regular exercise is that staying active day to day keeps your body going. Don't lose that ability.

You Can Perform Daily Tasks Easier

This is possibly the biggest benefit I preach about to moms in the SMASH workouts! Being strong and able makes your life easier.

Truly, the stronger you are and the more you do something the easier tasks become. Likewise, staying active enables you to perform tasks some people find challenging (carrying groceries or kids) a bit easier.

For example, a love of hiking will make it easier to walk kids to and from school each day. Biking with your kids could mean stronger legs and more support when you're carrying them.

For this reason, make your job less taxing and move your body with activities you love.

Benefits Of Regular Exercise: It Helps Prevent Disease

Cancer, diabetes, and heart disease are all too common nowadays.

Is it any wonder that it's because we spend so much of our time not moving (reference point)? Staying active helps reduce the risk of health problems. If that benefit of regular exercise doesn't motivate you I don't know what will.

Is it a sure-fire way to avoid ailments? No. But anything in your corner helps.

Helps Alleviate Digestion Issues

One of the benefits of regular exercise is that it helps move food through your gut and promote regular bowel movements. This, in turn, helps alleviate a lot of cramping, bloating, and disease that stems from food sitting too long in the colon.

In particular, your body was made to move, it needs to move (and have a good intake of water- here's how to solve that!) to do its job.

Regular Physical Activity Improves Your Mood

People who exercise are normally able to deal with stressors easier, and (in my experience) are more positive and happy on a regular basis. Personally, this is one of the biggest reasons I have structured workouts- they're my stress relief. However, any physical activity works for this (check out these yoga poses for stress)

This could be the endorphins that come from your muscles working or it could be that fitness provides you an outlet. Regardless, staying active definitely helps improve your mood.

Stop FALLING OFF The Fitness Wagon

Do you start a new workout plan only to fall off of it weeks later?

Imagine the compliments you’ll get from family and friends when you finally lose those few extra pounds and skyrocket your confidence.

Discover the ultimate solution for busy moms seeking a quick and effective workout routine at home. As an exhausted mom of three, I designed these 25-minute sessions to fit seamlessly into your busy schedule to help you increase strength, stamina, and confidence.

Other programs have you doing cardio HIIT workouts complete with burpees and jump squats on the daily. But let’s be honest, just showing up for that is draining as a mom.

With SMASH Fit For Life you can say goodbye to that frustrated thought that you’re failing because you can’t seem to stick with it. Instead, these workouts focus on getting STRONGER with just one set of dumbbells and a mini band so that showing up for your workouts isn’t the worst part of your day.

Plus, you have direct access to a Certified Strength Coach anytime you have questions (or need some motivation!).

No more feeling guilty about missed gym sessions or overwhelmed about WHAT to do. The SMASH program was made for busy moms. Choose from a variety of packages and start prioritizing yourself today so that you can better help your family tomorrow.

How To Reap The Benefits Of Regular Exercise

Again, this is where people fail. We believe that we need structured workouts and commitment in order to experience the perks pf physical activity. When in reality, we just need to stay active. Below are some of the best ways you can move your body without scheduling gym time

• get outside and hike or trail walk
• garden
• bike with the kids
• play tag
• take a dance class
• explore
• golf

Don't Forget To Pin These Major Benefits Of Regular Exercise

Truthfully, it's all about finding something you enjoy so you do it frequently. I love hitting a trail with my pup so I make it a priority. Do what you love and it won't be a workout.

Regular activity helps prevent cardiovascular issues, reduces stress, makes you confident, keeps you social. Being fit just feels good.

You don't need to be uber lean or strong to be fit, active, and healthy. The obsession that we have with our weight needs to stop.

There is so much more to health. You should keep fit because it will improve your quality of life and allow you to keep doing the things you love.

Fitness, activity, exercise, whatever you want to call it is how our bodies were meant to be- so use them!