Nancy

I just started weight lifting down at the fitness center this monday and boy is it tough! But I keep on pushing myself to the limit at every exercise because I'm hoping that the result of my effort will make my life a bit easier: for example I'm hoping that it will reduce the number of my migraine attacks as well as removing the pain I get in my back sometimes because it's crooked...

So has any of you experienced any other positive side effects from exercising your body besides the ones I'm hoping for? I'd like to know so I can keep myself motivated!

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I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy.
I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

Rodney

Reduces stress; all those endorphins created by the exercise carry on for hours. I used to lift before work on one particularly hellish job, and I don't think I would have lasted without the afterglow from the morning workout.

My resistance to disease also improved. When I started lifting, I was living in a drafty apartment in a cold and foggy city, and I got one respiratory bug after another; I spent a lot of time coughing. When I started lifting weights and put on a little muscle, I caught fewer bugs.

jfreels

I'm with Rodney. Also makes me feel better about myself.

bookerV

All of the above, and on top of that I find that I have a LOT more energy overall. As well as having a much more regular sleep schedule. I'm tired at the right times and awake at the right times.

Before I was regularly working out I would be up all night and tired in the middle of the day. It was just no good.

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"That's why you're the judge and I'm the law-talking guy."

Lionel Hutz

shoe

Helps me alot in times where i am depressed. I dont know what it is but i love the feeling. It makes me happy. Plus, im damn sexy now.

Plan9Senior

- Help you lose weight, especially fat weight.
- Improve your bodies ability to maximally uptake oxygen anddeliver oxygen to your working muscles (defined as your VO2 Max). This measure is generally regarded as the best measure of your physical fitness level.
- Lower your resting heart rate, by allowing your heart to pump more blood per beat. This means your heart is not working as hard when you are at rest.
- Lower or help control your blood pressure, both systolic and diastolic. This is especially important for people with high blood pressure-hypertension.
- Lower your Body Mass Index (BMI). This is the ratio of body weight (in kilograms) to height (in meters). Increased BMI is associated with an increase in morbidity and mortality.
- Reduce total cholesterol. This includes lowering LDL-the bad type of cholesterol, and increasing HDL-the good type of cholesterol.
- Reduce circulating levels of triglycerides. This is the amount of free fatty acid found in the blood.
- Improves the functioning of your immune system.
- Reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Increases insulin sensitivity to prevent against type II diabetes (adult onset diabetes).
- Reduce the risk of having a stroke.
- Increase your level of muscular strength.
- Increase your stamina and ability to do continuous work.
- Increase or maintain your bone mineral density to prevent osteoporosis.
- Increase muscular endurance.
- Help you maintain your resting metabolic rate to prevent weight gain.
- Provide protection against injury.
- Maintain or improve joint integrity.
- Improves your balance and coordination.
- Reduce the risk of developing colon cancer.
- Reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.
- Reduce your level of anxiety.
- Help you manage stress more effectively.
- Improve your positive self-esteem and confidence.
- Help alleviate depression.
- Improve your appearance.
- Help you relax.
- Combat the likelihood of many degenerative problems.
- Improve your overall quality of life.
- Teach you about goal-setting and dedication.
- Can assists in efforts to stop smoking.
- Help to relieve and prevent migraine headache attacks.
- Can help you sleep more restfully.
- Help improve your immune system.


...to name a few reasons

Hope that helps.

Nancy

wow! I'm never quitting my workout then!

__________________
I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy.
I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

rockzilla

Most of the fringe benefits that I enjoy have been mentioned already, especially by Plan9.
Working out is a great outlet for aggression, if I have a rough day at work, I know I'll feel a lot better after a really intense workout.
Having a pretty physically demanding job, I've found that work is easier on me now that I'm excercising.
My favorite so far is the confidence boost from having friends say "Your arms look bigger"

hosti|e

Hrm, i love boxing training, such a good way of gaining a useful skill and a great workout at the same time
The other benefit ive noticed apart from the ones i expected was that ive made a great group of friends that i work out with on a regular basis now

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New Zealander and proud

Nazggul

An ex girlfriend of mine used to really enjoy sex after a good workout. That's what I call motivation. =)

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"If something has to give then it always will."

-- Editors

Nancy

indeed!

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I have all the characteristics of a human being: blood, flesh, skin, hair; but not a single, clear, identifiable emotion, except for greed and disgust. Something horrible is happening inside of me and I don't know why. My nightly bloodlust has overflown into my days. I feel lethal, on the verge of frenzy.
I think my mask of sanity is about to slip.

Sparhawk

Looking good and feeling good about myself.

Next question!

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"In Iraq, no doubt about it, it's tough. It's hard work. It's incredibly hard. It's - and it's hard work. I understand how hard it is. I get the casualty reports every day. I see on the TV screens how hard it is. But it's necessary work. We're making progress. It is hard work."

H12

Ka-ching, that's the right answer for me.

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"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit."
--Aristotle

forseti-6

What plan9 said

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"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." - Dr. Seuss