Maria Shriver

5 Reasons You Need to Work Out -- Starting Today!

By Valerie Latona

Sure, summer is almost here and working up a sweat will take off those extra pounds we all put on during the cold-weather months. But there are plenty more, less well-known but even more important, reasons to get moving:

1) Working out gives you an amazing confidence boost. There’s no question that exercising gives you a rush of endorphins that make you feel good, but there’s more to it than that. It makes you proud of your body—and this boost of self-esteem has a ripple effect in everything you do: how you present yourself (you’re more likely to wear fitted and fabulous clothes—and care about your overall appearance), how you walk (with more energy and enthusiasm), and even how you project yourself at the office. One woman I used to work with, who was unhappy with her job, started swimming at 5 a.m. every morning. It took her only a couple of months of exercising to revamp her wardrobe—and find herself a new, better-paying, and higher level job! The key to this confidence boost: you’ve got to do it regularly. Every day is best, even if you can only spare 20 minutes.

2.) You’ll be making yourself a priority -- and it’s about time! How many of us say, “I just don’t have the time to work out. My day is crazy busy enough!” (I know, I’ve been there!) But think about it this way -- we all put in extra hours at work if we need to excel at a project. Or we’ll put our family’s needs first. But we don’t ever do what we need to do for ourselves. It’s about time! Start by blocking out your schedule for exercise (as you would for an appointment or meeting). Personally, I’ve always found that doing it first thing in the morning (before kids get up and work gets started) is the best way to get your day jump-started.

3) It’s a natural appetite control. Forget calorie counting. You won’t have to even worry about going on a diet when you’re on a regular exercise program (working out at least 3 to 4 times a week). This doesn’t mean you can go all out, just that you can eat what you want (yes, even sweets and bread at dinner) in moderation without worrying about every last calorie. Your body naturally starts to control your appetite—without pills, “miracle” detox cleanses, or the like—the way it should be!

4) It can be moving meditation—and the easiest form of stress relief. Always wanted to meditate, but never have time—or the quiet space? Try waking up early in the morning and going for a bike ride (or even a walk) as the mist is hovering over the grass and the sun is just rising. No iPhones, no cell phones, and no friends. Just you and nature. It’s the most peaceful and anxiety-busting experience. This stress relief you experience before breakfast will carry over into your day, making it easier for you to better handle anything that comes your way. And, I speak from experience; you’ll start to crave this soul-building (as well as muscle-building) time in the morning. One side benefit: you’ll also start to sleep better—longer and more soundly.

5) It can be truly exciting—and addictive (in a good way). If the thought of heading to your local gym to get on the elliptical bores you, then you’re not doing the right exercise for you. Think outside the box: do something that you’ve always wanted to do. Sign up for tennis lessons; track down a local pool you can swim at; find a cause—and a group like Team in Training—and train for a race (or help others do it through a program like Girls on the Run). There are plenty of ways to get moving—without the dull and boring monotony of cardio machines at the gym. Once you discover what you really love, and start to mix it up, you’ll be hooked for life! Guaranteed.

Valerie Latona is the former editor in chief of Shape—and one of the leading writers/editors on the topic of living healthy with confidence. Valerie is a mom of two young kids (with another on the way) and is a triathlete; she’s found that finding time to take care of herself makes her better at everything she does. Find more about Valerie at valerielatona.com.