Why feeling good should be your real fitness goal

Let's be real - when most of us think about getting fit, we immediately picture six-pack abs or that perfect beach body. But here's the thing: while looking good might get you started, it's actually feeling good that keeps you going. At MEF, we've seen it time and time again - the members who stick around longest are the ones who fall in love with how exercise makes them feel, not just how it makes them look.

The science behind feeling good - why it matters

You know that post-workout high? There's some pretty incredible science behind it. Here's what happens when you make feeling good your priority:

• Your mental health gets a serious boost. Research in The Lancet Psychiatry found that regular exercise can cut down bad mental health days by up to 43%. That's right - those endorphins aren't just in your head!

• You'll have way more energy. Scientists have found that even light exercise can boost your energy levels by 20% and slash fatigue by 65%. Imagine having that extra pep in your step every day!

• You'll sleep like a baby. The National Sleep Foundation reports that regular, moderate exercisers are 65% less likely to have sleep problems. No more counting sheep!

• Your immune system becomes a fortress. According to Frontiers in Immunology, moderate exercise actually boosts your immune cell circulation, helping you fight off those pesky seasonal colds.

• You could add years to your life. This isn't just feel-good talk - JAMA Internal Medicine found that regular exercisers can add up to 7 years to their life expectancy. Just 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week can lower your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.

The problem with only chasing the "perfect body"

Look, we get it. Wanting to look good isn't a bad thing. But here's why making it your only focus can backfire:

• It often leads to disappointment. A 2017 study in the Psychology of Sport and Exercise found that people who focus purely on looks tend to feel worse about their bodies, even when they're getting fitter!

• The results don't last. According to Obesity Reviews, crash diets and extreme workouts for the sake of looks usually end up with people regaining weight within 1-5 years.

• You miss out on the big picture. When you're just focused on the mirror, you might be ignoring other awesome benefits like better heart health, mobility, and mental clarity.

Why feeling good is the way to go

Here's something cool: BMC Public Health found that people who actually enjoy their workouts are 30% more likely to stick with them. Makes sense, right? When you love how something makes you feel, you want to keep doing it!

At Max Effort Fitness, we're all about this "feel good" approach. Our community (we like to call it "Stronger Together") is full of people who started out wanting to look different but stayed because they discovered something better - they found out how amazing it feels to be strong, energetic, and healthy.

The bottom line

Sure, looking good in your favourite jeans is nice. But feeling fantastic in your own skin? That's priceless. When you focus on feeling good, you're not just working out - you're building a better relationship with yourself, one workout at a time.

Remember: Strong feels good. Healthy feels good. And feeling good. That's what keeps you coming back for more.

Want to experience the feel-good difference? Come join our MEF Crew.

Your body - and your mind - will thank you for it.

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References

1. Chekroud, S. R., Gueorguieva, R., Zheutlin, A. B., et al. (2018). Association between physical exercise and mental health in 1.2 million individuals in the USA between 2011 and 2015: A cross-sectional study. The Lancet Psychiatry, 5(9), 739-746. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30227-X

2. Puetz, T. W., & O'Connor, P. J. (2006). Effect of exercise on feelings of energy and fatigue: A quantitative synthesis. Psychological Bulletin, 132(6), 866-876. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.132.6.866

3. National Sleep Foundation. (2013). Exercise and sleep. https://www.sleepfoundation.org/physical-activity/exercise-and-sleep

4. Nieman, D. C., & Wentz, L. M. (2019). The compelling link between physical activity and the body's defense system. Frontiers in Immunology, 9, 2626. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2018.02626

5. Moore, S. C., Patel, A. V., Matthews, C. E., et al. (2012). Leisure time physical activity of moderate to vigorous intensity and mortality: A large pooled cohort analysis. JAMA Internal Medicine, 172(9), 743-750. https://doi.org/10.1001/archinternmed.2012.3130

6. Vartanian, L. R., & Fardouly, J. (2017). Social media and body image concerns: Current research and future directions. Current Opinion in Psychology, 19, 32-37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2017.03.015

7. MacLean, P. S., Higgins, J. A., Giles, E. D., et al. (2015). The role for adipose tissue in weight regain after weight loss. Obesity Reviews, 16(Suppl 1), 45-54. https://doi.org/10.1111/obr.12255

8. Rhodes, R. E., Fiala, B., & Conner, M. (2009). A review and meta-analysis of affective judgments and physical activity in adult populations. BMC Public Health, 9, 536. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-9-536