Many people start resistance training for the understandable reasons of wanting to look and feel better. You often have a goal of what you want to look like and how light you want to be, and this can be the driving factor behind you sticking to the plan and doing what is required each day to reach your goals.
But what about the other reasons? More often than not, being out of shape is affecting your life in several other ways, from not being able to run around with your kids to just feeling down about yourself in general. It is therefore important to find the deep, emotional reasons why you want to lose fat, tone up and change your body shape, because when motivation is low, this can be the ‘anchor’ that keeps you going.
So, what could those reasons be? And how can resistance training have a positive effect on other areas of your life?
Positivity/Confidence
The first way is from a psychological perspective. Resistance training can be intimidating for many, particularly for those with little experience and practice. However, the more consistent you are, the better you become at executing exercises, and the more structure you have, the more your confidence will grow week on week.
You will start to feel excited on the way to your sessions, you will know your way around equipment better and you will become more self-sufficient with your training. Of course, you may still need a coach to guide you, support you along the way and make sure that you are still on track, but the idea of training consistently will seem less daunting and more fun as time goes on, especially if you are making progress with your body. More confidence can be a game-changer for a lot of people.
Strength
One of the biggest areas in which resistance training can have a positive effect on your life is through your strength levels. As you get stronger, you should notice is how much weight you can lift week on week. Building strength takes time and it’s not going to happen overnight, but you will notice that a certain weight becomes comfortable to lift and that you can gradually increase it, the more consistent you are with your training.
This can carry into other areas of your life, such as being able to carry more shopping or being able to work with more tools when gardening. A physically stronger body will help you become more balanced, more stable and even more flexible, meaning that you will be able to do day-to-day tasks with much more as time goes on. However, if your training is sporadic and of poor quality, it will be very difficult for you to improve in this area. You have to keep showing up for every single session and look to get better – this is where progress lies.
Energy
Another way in which resistance training can improve your life is through your energy levels. “The higher your energy level, the more efficient your body is,” the great speaker and author Tony Robbins once said. “The more efficient your body is, the better you feel and the more you will use your talent to produce outstanding results.” Energy is so key to living a fulfilling, successful, and happy life and this is often a gamechanger for many people.
Resistance training improves your energy levels because it gets you into a much better shape, physically and psychologically. You will also find that the stronger you are, the fitter you become and therefore the more energy you have during the day, which is important, not just for your physical health but also in other areas of your life, such as your job, daily tasks and even your relationships with people. Combine this with a much cleaner, healthier, and effective diet, and you will find that your energy levels increase dramatically.
Health
Resistance training is also vital to your overall health for a number of reasons. It has a hugely positive impact on the strength and durability of your muscles and bones, which can lead to a more stable, balanced body and prevent diseases such as osteoporosis, which occur due to aging and weak bones and give you a much better chance of fighting issues that come with old age.
Another key benefit is that, by getting in better shape, your risk of disease decreases, as do your blood pressure levels and stress on vital organs. Training will also improve cardiovascular health, improve the function of your mind and coordination, decrease the risk of serious impact injuries, and improve your chances of living for longer. The overall health benefits are a huge reason why you should consider starting resistance training if you have not already.
Performance at Work
A final area in which resistance training can improve your life is a very important one for many – your performance at work. Of course, the effect depends on the type of job you have, but it applies all across the board. If you have a physically active job and you are stronger, fitter and in better shape, you will be able to perform tasks to a better standard and more consistently without breaking down or having to take regular breaks. It can also prevent your body from impact collisions, due to the increase in muscle and bone density, which can then decrease your chance of a work-related injury.
If you have a more sedentary job, being in better shape through resistance training can make you feel more self-confident, which should improve your productivity at work as you will be more positive towards everything you do. Your energy will also be higher, so you will approach every day with more desire and happiness, which is vital for being successful. People will notice this, and your chance of a more fulfilling career with growth should increase as a result.
Summary
So, there are several ways in which resistance training can change your life for the better. It can improve your positivity and confidence, increase your strength, increase your energy, make you a healthier person and improve your performance at work. It is not all about how you look and how much you weigh on the scale – these benefits will have a huge impact on the quality and success of your life, so make sure you notice and enjoy them during your fitness journey.
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