The obvious answer is that many people are simply lazy and/or unable to afford the time and money commitment required to get in shape. The complicated answer, and the one I believe is more of a problem, is that those who do start exercising start for the wrong reasons. Media sources tell us the long-term benefits of exercise, "If you run 15 minutes a day, you'll add __ years to your life." For a society that revolves around instant gratification, that's not much of an incentive. So, lo and behold, here are 5 reasons why exercise will benefit you right now. As students of Zen, no matter how informal, we want to focus on whatever's happening right here, right now. Exercise is one of the most practical ways to seize the day and do something constructive for yourself.
Stress
I'll get the most obvious one out of the way first. Finishing a long day's stressful work by sinking into the couch seems more relaxing than running a mile, but the reverse is actually true. We often mistaken stress as a lack of energy. Sometimes, though, it's actually an abundance of energy. We get so worked up by stress that we think we need to just chill out and cool off. In reality, the best thing to do would be to let the energy out and then chill. I can guarantee you you'll enjoy hanging out on the couch for an hour far more after 30 minutes of running than you would without having worked out prior. Pretending that stress doesn't lead to a build-up of nervous energy only adds to its negative effects. Exercise annihilates stress and feels great.
Creativity
Everyone benefits from new, creative ideas. It doesn't matter if you're a sculptor, doctor, or businessperson; creativity is a sign of the brain working at a more unique, optimal level. I was originally surprised to hear that exercise helps improve creativity. Most of the creative people I knew in college were scrawny, smoked, and/or didn't seem to be the type that would hit the gym. It's unfortunate, because exercise (as little as 30min a day) actually aids the creative drive substantially. For me, running/lifting itself turns into a meditative activity where I can think of new ideas and ruminate on the events of the day. You can benefit from it too.
Balance
The benefits of exercise on your physical health vary from activity to activity, but are generally regarded as highly beneficial to your well-being. There's another side to the equation, however: the brain and nervous system are just as much parts of your body as any other muscle, organ, or function system. Improving your physical health means improving your mental health. As little as 20min a day of exercise has been found to be a great way to combat, "depression, anxiety, and cynical distrust." That's pretty impressive. At one point a few years ago, I started to feel issues with anxiety and mild depression; the more often I stick to my exercise schedule, the more balanced and generally positive I feel. When it comes down to it, humans are animals; we're just another species on the evolutionary timeline. We weren't meant to sit around all day. There's no surprise that a sedentary lifestyle can be detrimental to both mental and physical well-being.
Indulgence
Plain and simple: if you exercise, you can indulge in tasty food and drink more often. I began a pretty intense weightlifting schedule about a year ago, and when I started I was surprised to read about how flexible diet choices were for those who lifted on a regular basis. The same goes with running. I was able to have a relatively decadent diet without gaining fat. When you exercise, not only are the calories you consumed converted into energy-- they also turn into muscle, instead of fat. By now, I've come to learn that exercise is a reward in and of itself, but if you start an exercise routine, you'll find it's less detrimental to your physical shape if you have an extra cheeseburger or glass of wine every once in a while. Don't go overboard, obviously, but I love rewarding myself with a big post-workout meal. If you get to the point where you're working out strenuously every day or every other day, you'll probably find you can eat without having to worry about counting calories.
(photos courtesy of talented photographers on flickr who license their work with creative commons. click on photos to see more of their stuff)
