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We’re all aware that working out consistently over a period will attain external physical results.
Better still, when we keep at it, we also benefit from internal results. We become stronger, our immune system improves and as we continue to build muscle, we increase our stamina levels.
I won’t cover these exercise attributes in this post today, but for those wanting more details here’s a great summary by Everyday Health and for those who are avid readers here’s a particularly detailed read by the National Institutes of Health.
My focus today rather, is the unspoken benefits of physical exercise that goes beyond the physical and/or biological realm – I speak of the impact as pertains to your persona i.e your character.
Hear me out for a moment!
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As someone who only really developed an active lifestyle in my 30’s, there’s so much I’ve learnt in the process which I feel isn’t emphasised enough.
Sticking to a workout schedule does so much more than get you in shape – it filters into YOUR ENTIRE LIFE and having seen the benefits myself, is why I’m encouraging you to get started.
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Many people fail to exercise regularly because they may simply be too exhausted, have other commitments and/or lack the availability i.e time.
In some ways, yes, it requires a certain level of effort and commitment as well as persistence. For those who are able to begin and stick at it, we notice overtime that we indirectly become a better version of ourselves.
It builds self-confidence and increases self-respect because you know what you’re doing is tough but more importantly, as you persist, you begin to take yourself seriously.
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Procrastination is easy. Maintaining a lifestyle of diligence, discipline and commitment however, not so much.
Committing to discipline on a long-term basis will require more from you, than you’ll feel you’re capable of when you start.
It’s a conscious daily decision that you’re going to continue irrespective of how you may feel, how busy you are or how unmotivated you might be at certain moments.
Whether the conditions in your life are positive or negative, whether you feel happy, joyful, sad or depressed, you continue regardless.
That, is hard to do – but if there’s one piece of advice I can give that I give myself on my worst days, working out will never make you feel worse only better.
Let me give you a direct example from my own life.
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My mother was unwell at the end of 2023.
In addition, my job at the time had become extremely stressful. We were gearing up for a big launch (and our first one at that). It required all hands-on-deck and things quickly became chaotic.
My manager at the time fell ill and was absent. As we were a small team, the pressure soon mounted.
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There was a lot of responsibility on my shoulders to lead and drive this campaign forward in my manager’s absence as I was the next senior staff member within our team.
I was being approached from all directions.
“Can you confirm if you want this? Do you know where I can find this?” – the queries were endless.
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Amongst the chaos, my mother’s health took a turn as she experienced catastrophic side effects to new medication she was being treated with.
I called the emergency services who advised it’d take 20 minutes for an ambulance to arrive. I got my mother in a car myself, and we headed to the hospital.
After being seen, she was admitted almost immediately. I notified our interim assistant director in my manager’s absence (it was past 2am at night and I knew I’d be unable to attend work the following day).
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Following her admission, mum had numerous appointments scheduled by the hospital for scans, blood tests and the like and as her carer (and only daughter), I was at her side throughout.
Once she was finally discharged and returned home, the hospital appointments continued from December 2023 to April 2024.
I made the decision in January 2024 to leave my job because I was going through it mentally.
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With all the responsibility of managing the care of my mother, whilst trying to be her rock (externally), I was feeling utter anguish and anxiety within. It was difficult to see her suffering.
In addition, I was attempting to keep up with my work responsibilities because I knew my team needed me. Despite the heaviness of what I was dealing with, I still cared about how my absence might affect them.
Caring for others can be very demanding and many of us who do it, rarely take time out or even have the time to ensure we are OK ourselves. Acting on autopilot makes it easy to forget, you also need reprieve and support.
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Through all the above however, I kept up my frequent gym attendance and trust me when I say, it wasn’t easy.
I had to work around the hospital appointments and until I left my job, I had to work around that too.
There were gym sessions where I just wanted to break down and cry whilst on the equipment.
I wasn’t sleeping well, my diet wasn’t particularly good due to all the stress but I kept going – four times a week.
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Now I know what you may be thinking – that’s madness!
Well, it may appear that way but I knew how much the physical activity would assist my wellbeing and in order to care for my mother effectively, I needed to prioritise my own health.
Looking back today, the above even shocks me. How was I able to keep up my gym sessions during such a mentally demanding period?
The discipline of it had already become a lifestyle feature so no matter my life circumstances, the consistency was now a habit – and this is the key.
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Think of it this way, we don’t get up and decide if we’re going to attend work or not because it’s an obligation we must fulfil based on our contract terms. Our employers expect our attendance.
The income we make is usually the incentive that keeps us consistent whether we feel like going or not, we will.
All I’ve learnt to do is implement this mindset into how I approach my commitment to my physical health, noting that sticking with it, will yield benefits.
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We’re advised to look after our health but equally, cigarettes, alcohol, drugs and unhealthy foods are constantly accessible.
The medicinal market is worth billions, with income generated from sickness so how much does the world truly care? It’s imperative that we therefore, care for ourselves.
Have you ever wondered like me, why we’re hounded to insure our cars, houses, mobile phones and every other valuable possession we own but little of the same emphasis is placed on insuring ourselves?
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When it comes to our health and wellbeing, we are our own responsibility.
When we apply a relentless attitude towards our health, that attitude funnels into how we handle life and equally, our level of resilience begins to develop.
So how might a change in your perception of good health look in real terms?
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Let’s say you’re working out at home a few days a week and doing it continuously.
Weeks soon become months and months years but as you continue this process of discipline, your energy also shifts – for the better.
You begin to problem solve more often, you worry less, the onset of issues now provokes an attitude of optimism and you’re quicker to bounce back from tragedy.
You handle life with courage and boldness. It’s not as easy for people to take you for granted. Your principled, focused and feel mentally lighter.
You constantly devise ways to out compete yourself because you are now your own competition.
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You begin to attract the respect of others because they can see the change that’s taking place. You walk with your head high and have a greater sense of belief in the person you are.
Your desire for your dreams and aspirations begin to grow and you start to act because you trust and hold yourself accountable.
The journey to getting healthy that you once thought was impossible, you’ve made possible.
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You begin to apply the same discipline and consistency to other areas of your life and like your workout routine, you slowly begin to spend regular time planning and taking real action.
Your perception of life has altered. You’re alive, energised and awake – the possibilities of life, feel endless.
The process is the most important aspect of the journey. The weight loss and/or gains is wonderful to achieve but the process to reaching that point, is what truly builds a better you.
There’s a TikTok video with a gent who summed this up perfectly here (in less than a minute I encourage you to listen).
Implementing physical activity is crucial for physical and mental health but the commitment indirectly develops a greater version of yourself.
I want to emphasise that you can turn your life around for the better at any point you choose.
Whatever happened previously, or the condition you’re in now has no bearing on your future ability.
It’s a personal decision which I can tell you from my own experience is absolutely possible and beyond worth it.
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I’ve spent almost 6 years in the process of improving me. The biggest benefit of committing to all the small changes I made gradually over time, is the change in the person I am today.
I used to be so lackadaisical and unbothered having little care or respect for myself. I ‘appeared’ confident, however, I was a mess within.
Procrastination was my best friend, and I was comfortable living a stagnated life.
I ate unhealthily, was completely sedentary and my life was simply work, home, TV and unbeneficial socials (that cost me unnecessary money).
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Once I hit an all-time low with my weight, I promised myself I’d do it my way – that it’d be manageable. I’ve spoken about my weight loss journey in full (with photos) within my blog post ‘Losing Weight Right’.
I knew it’d take time, but I was determined to be patient. If I could stick to the small changes, I had a chance of changing my lifestyle overall. I began the work (in silence) holding myself accountable.
It literally took me YEARS but eventually, I’ve achieved what I set out to do, and my life has never been better.
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The journey has had its distractions, its ups and downs and some pitfalls along the way but overall, the mindset I’ve developed in the process has helped me bounce back every time.
I’m 20Kg lighter today then when I made this life changing decision in 2019. I look and feel younger than I was 10 years ago.
See below one of my most recent YouTube videos where I cover my journey of getting in shape (with photos), as well as the pitfalls I’ve faced. Most importantly, I share what I’ve learnt (much of what I’ve covered in this post) to encourage you.
See the investment in your health as an investment into the person you are because believe me when I say, you’ll positively change, and that change will radiate throughout your life.
Inwardly, outwardly and mentally – for the better.
Give the better you, an opportunity to exist.
