get in tune with your body and notice the changes that you are making, beyond the physical. Regular exercise has several benefits from increased metabolism, stress reduction, increased immunity and more!
Because many of these changes are subtle and internal in nature, cultivating a state of awareness in your body is key in recognizing them.
Regular exercise elevates energy levels and improves overall quality of life. You should notice that you are sleeping better and waking up more rejuvenated. Stress levels decrease and symptoms of depression will begin to alleviate as your routine becomes more regular. Immune system function will also increase, improving your ability to fight off illness and decreasing frequency of sick days.
When getting sufficient exercise you will begin to see physical changes due to the increased speed of your metabolism. This means you will burn calories faster and generally lose weight from fat and gain muscle. Along with burning calories faster, you also might notice an increase in appetite.
Along with appetite, exercise also comes with an increase in the regularity of your bowel movements. Other clear physical signs of sufficient exercise include normal muscle soreness, swelling, increased mass, and strength.
If you notice that your regular workout routine becomes easy and have to increase the intensity of your sessions that is a good sign of sufficient exercise. It is common to hit a lull in your exercise plans when changes and gains aren’t as easy to come by and variations to the routine are needed.
When you need to incorporate cross training, cardio or other exercise modalities into your regular routine to achieve the results you want, then you are likely on a healthy regimen. Be careful not to overdo it though!