Physical appearance/weight change doesn’t mean no change when exercising
Fitting a new fitness regime into your routine isn’t easy and can take time!
When we finally do start regularly going to the gym, running, or going to Pilates we can really start to think what we are doing isn’t working because we aren’t seeing the changes on the scales or in the mirror.
When we don’t see these physical changes, we can get so caught up, we can forget to realise the positive changes and effects a change in exercise has already had in our lives!
So, what positive changes can exercise bring?
Increased happiness, decreased stress, and improved mental health
Regular exercise has been shown to improve mental well-being! The act of movement helps release feel-good chemicals, which explains why you feel so good after exercising and within that the ability to lower stress levels.
Eg- you may feel the stress of life is not as overwhelming as it was, and you have more time! Or you might have noticed an improvement in the relationships with your partner, kids, or friends.
Better Sleep
Research suggests that regular physical activity has a positive effect on one’s sleep! Studies have shown that exercise can reduce the time it takes to get to sleep and reduce the amount of time you spend lying awake at night. Which could explain why you feel refreshed in the morning.
Eg- You may feel like it’s easier to drift off to sleep, and more rested in the morning and you may not have the same urge to reach for the triple shot coffee when you drag yourself out of bed.
Reduce health risks and combats health conditions and diseases
Regular physical activity improves a person’s general health and is linked to reducing the risk of developing chronic conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and many types of cancers.
Eg- while the results might not have been visible on the scales you may have noticed an improvement in your overall health and your body will thank you in the long run.
Reduce pain
Research has shown that physical activity can reduce pain and chronic pain. Regular physical activity has been shown to reduce pain severity, improve physical function and improve quality of life.
Eg- You may have noticed an increased ability to do things you have previously stopped doing or gone for periods of time without pain being annoyingly at the front of your mind.
Increased fitness
Whilst changes in appearance and weight may not have changed, you may not have noticed your ability to lift more weights, run more kilometers, or improvements in skill.
Eg- You may have noticed a new PB at the gym! You may have noticed you don’t feel like you’re going to die at the 3km mark of a run! And you may notice your own technique in pilates has improved and less instruction is needed from the instructor!
If your new fitness routine has just become part of your regular timetable, next time you’re worried the physical changes aren’t coming along, it is important to remember that physical changes can take time and that these changes don’t necessarily translate to being healthier!
If your health or weight loss goals are not happening as quickly as you thought, don’t be so hard on yourself and try and think of the positive steps and changes you have made in your life for your health. Rather think of these other ways physical activity can and has improved your overall health and well-being.
We can help you adjust your health and fitness program in order to make it easier for you to exercise on a regular basis . Book an appointment with one of our practitioner for an initial assessment.
Blog written by:
Max Knight
Osteopath at Premier Sports and Spinal Medicine
