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Weight Loss Vs. Exercise Performance
Why do people take up exercise? Although there are plenty of people who take it up in order to achieve fitness based goals (increased sports performance, injury rehabilitation) the majority seem to start in order to achieve an appearance goal. In the 21st century body image has become more and more important to us, whether it be a flatter stomach, thinner legs or bigger arms it seems that people enter into exercise because of what they see in the mirror.
Why do people take up exercise? Although there are plenty of people who take it up in order to achieve fitness based goals (increased sports performance, injury rehabilitation) the majority seem to start in order to achieve an appearance goal. In the 21st century body image has become more and more important to us, whether it be a flatter stomach, thinner legs or bigger arms it seems that people enter into exercise because of what they see in the mirror. However, if we looked at our goals in a different way would it mean that we could achieve our appearance goals without really focusing on them specifically?
The London Marathon is a good example. Every year tens of thousand of people run 26.2 miles around London, many for charity, but all for the sense of achievement! In the months leading up to a marathon they will have gradually increased their running, probably taken up strength training (the smart ones will have anyway), increased their flexibility and spent a little more time thinking about what they put in their mouth. The main goal of all this is to complete the grueling marathon, but look at the side effects of this training and you will see just how this can help with all your appearance goals as well:
Increased running - more endurance for the marathon side effect - more calories burnt, increased cardio vascular health
Strength training - Protects the body from injury side effect - improved muscle tone and increased metabolic rate (therefore burning more calories at rest)
Improved diet - aids performance and endurance side effect - less rubbish going in and less fat
So you can see that the goal of completing a marathon can also be used to achieve our appearance goals as well. And it doesn’t have to be a marathon. You could time yourself rowing a distance in the gym, a 10k run, or a 50k bike ride and all these goals will have a side effect on your appearance if you work towards them sensibly and with commitment. So next time you decide to join a gym or take up exercise to improve your appearance then have a look at the other goals you could achieve, and you might find the side effects are pleasantly surprising!