“Why should I exercise?” is the question I sometimes get from people who believe exercise is really not that important and they can’t seem to fit it into their schedule.  I sometimes throw back another question back to them, “how can you afford not to exercise?”

The bottom line is this:  Consistent exercise will help you do everything in your life better and at a higher level. 

Want to be a more productive employee at work?  Exercise will help you to manage your stress levels, think clearer, and have more endurance to work longer hours on major projects, if needed.  You’ll also miss less days of work due to illness since you’ll have a higher immune system and be healthier?

Want to have more fun with your children?  Exercise will help you have the energy and stamina to not only keep up with young children with their school and recreational activities, but stay ahead of them.  It’s really disappointing for children when they see their parents have free time, but they are too “drained” to play with them.  It’s even worse when you don’t have the energy to read a simple 1st grade level book to them before going to bed.

Want to enjoy your favorite leisure activities better?  Exercise will help you live your passion better and have a higher quality of life.  I remember once going on a cruise a while back with a few friends and they simply couldn’t keep up with me and a couple other people on the various tours and partying at night.  They were just too tired, and to be more exact, “out of shape.”

Want to have better sex?  Yes, exercise will certainly improve your performance in this category.  Forget about Viagra and all of the other sexual performance enhancing drugs and supplements.  Exercise is the real deal.

Want to look sexier?  Exercise is natural and it only takes around 3 months to create significant change with your body.  The sexiest people are the one’s who exercise on a regular basis.  Look at Cindy Crawford and how spectacular she looks now in her early forties.  I guarantee you she works out regularly.

Then, fit exercise into your daily schedule.

Mike Brungardt, strength and conditioning coach for the San Antonio Spurs, says it well in his book, The Complete Book of Core Training, “like an athlete who must be able to withstand the physical challenges of his sport and still thrive, you must be an athlete in the game of life.  Daily life’s physical challenges may be less dramatic, but the cumulative effects can lead to chronic pain and decreased levels of performance.  Sitting, standing, carrying a heavy bag, driving, and working at a computer day after day take a major toll on the body.  Exercising and working your core regularly will improve how you function and minimize long-term wear and tear on your body, helping you to thrive.  It will improve your performance in life and in your favorite recreational activities.  It will also give you a great body (pp. 9 - 10).”

Make regular exercise an important part of your life!