Here's Your Dose of Motivation — 10 Reasons to Work Out Today

Do you ever have a fantastic idea or thought then completely forget it a couple minutes later? We all do, and the good news is that exercise can help you remember those “aha” moments more. A recent study by the University of British Columbia found that aerobic exercise, the kind that gets your heart rate up so you break a sweat, improves memory. Youfit Health Club’s national director of fitness, Raphael Konforti, agreed that exercise helps. “Exercise is a smart way to keep your brain and memory functioning in tip-top shape. Remember: sweat it, so you don’t forget it!”

Work, friends, family, life or even waiting on the next season to drop on Netflix is downright stressful. We can’t help you with speeding up the release date for your next episode, but exercise can help with the stress it causes. “Exercise is a proven stress reliever. There’s a reason even the busiest people on the planet make time to exercise. No matter what’s on your mind, a quick sweat will be sure to help you reset,” Konforti said.

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As women age or go through pregnancy, they naturally lose some bone density. Luckily, that can be reduced and even avoided by incorporating regular exercise into your routine. According the National Osteoporosis Foundation, activities like weight lifting, dancing, or basically anything that gets your body moving helps to prevent bone loss.

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It might seem strange to think that using your energy to work out actually gives you more energy, but that’s just what recent research has shown. While you might feel a bit tired right after your workouts, the rest of your life will feel that much easier. Carrying groceries up a flight of stairs? No problem! Feeling spunky throughout the day? You bet!

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You’re not just smart for exercising, you’re actually making yourself smarter by doing it! If you’re looking to step your game up at work, exercise might just be your secret weapon. Exercise, and especially dynamic exercise, is proven to increase a chemical known as Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). BDNF was coined as “Miracle Grow” for the brain by Dr. John Ratey, author of the hit book Spark. This exercise-induced BDNF creates new connections and pathways in the brain, which makes learning and formulating new ideas easier.

Lean muscle has more benefits than you’d think. Konforti reminds us, “Muscle is really what gives you that ‘toned’ look. It also speeds up your metabolism so you burn more calories even while resting. The best way to build and maintain lean muscle is with exercise and specifically resistance training.” Yes, it’s true. You can burn more calories while resting and doing absolutely nothing if you build a little bit of muscle.

Want a mood booster? Get moving! A study published in Sports Medicine showed that exercise increases endorphins, otherwise known as your happiness hormones. Endorphins makes us feel good, and exercise can stimulate the additional release of other feel-good hormones, such as dopamine and serotonin. Whether you need a pick-me-up or just want to be even happier, exercise is a must.

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Looking to lean down? Exercise is crucial part of getting to and maintaining healthy body-fat levels. “Losing weight and burning fat is all about the amount of calories you consume versus the amount of calories you burn. Exercise is healthy and effective way to burn more calories to spur on weight loss and burn body fat.” Konforti told us. Konforti also explained that exercise doesn’t always mean hopping on a treadmill or machine; just being more active or picking up some new hobbies, like gardening or hiking, is enough to get you on the fat-burning track.