What's My Motivation

Ask around an exercise class or the gym hall, and you’ll get a number of answers as to why people are there. Some may just love the adrenalin, others the social aspect. The majority no doubt want to look younger and feel more energised. But the bottom line is that whatever the motivation, the fact that these people are working out can only be a good thing.

So what if it is vanity that has driven them to get fitter and healthier: there’s nothing wrong with taking pride in your appearance and feeling more confident and attractive. If the alternative is long nights on the couch with a large deep-pan and the beginnings of RSI from pressing the remote buttons at regular intervals, then much better to be the type of person that feeds their ego rather than their stomach.

Quality of Life

Many people who take up exercise after a spell on the sidelines do so because of their family. Yes, that nagging partner may be a pain at times, but taking a long hard look at your diet. Slipping on the training shoes will not only spare you a regular ear bashing but also provide a better quality of life. If there are young children in the house, then keeping up with them when they start playing ball games or take up cycling will require a good level of fitness. The alternative is spending less time with them, and feeling excluded from a big part of their life, so the sensible solution is to keep up to speed by maintaining good fitness levels as you enter middle age.

Family matters may also enter the equation with regard to genes. It may that there is a history of heart disease in the family, raised blood pressure or diabetes. Exercise and good diet may well give you a better chance of combating these conditions. Talk to your GP and listen to the advice that they give.

Working Up a Sweat

For senior citizens, exercise can be both physically and psychologically uplifting. Banish any negative thoughts about the ageing process by working up a sweat – your whole body will feel the benefit and you will become so much more energised. Attending fitness classes can also result in widening your circle of friends. For those who have retired, there will be more time on their hands to explore the possibilities that attending fitness classes can offer, so there’s no excuse not to get moving.

In the end, it all comes down to the individual, both in terms of what they want from exercise and how much of their free-time and effort they are willing to put in. Is exercise and toning going to make you look 10 years younger? Perhaps not, but it is likely that you will feel 10 years younger. This will not only benefit you, but everyone around you. You’ll be much more positive, more energised; in short, a lot more fun to be around. And even if you don’t manage to reach your goal of fitting back into those trousers or the little black dress at the back of the wardrobe, you will have had a hell of a lot of fun trying.