Fitness By-Products

Written on July 15, 2024 - 7:25 am | by Terra

When I hear the term By-Product, the first thing that comes to my mind is pet food. You’re probably familiar with the term “meat by-product” that is commonly found in the most popular brands of cat and dog foods. But what about the too often overlooked by-products of exercise? One of the definitions of a by-product is a secondary result, or a side effect. So by-product refers to more than the parts of an animal carcass that us human carnivores do not find suitable, or enjoyable to eat.

I don’t want to generalize everyone, but I know there are many people who wind up wearing “weight loss blinders” or get so stuck focusing on only one particular goal that they forget to pay attention to all the great things happening to them as a result of regular exercise and good nutrition. When I first starting working out I had 2 specific goals in mind. I was so young that I gave no thought to any of the other health benefits that would be granted to me as a result of adapting good habits early on. But as I get older and wiser, I think, I realize that the by-products of regular exercise are enough reason to make it a lifelong habit, for everyone.

So for those of you who may be getting frustrated by not seeing results in the mirror, or on the scale, or the bar, or whatever measurement of progress you use, please keep in mind all the great things happening to you, inside and out.

Here’s a little reminder of some of the by-products of fitness, unless of course any of these are your main purpose for working out and eating right:

Better sleep; increased bone density; increased protection from disease, some included are certain cancers, Type II diabetes, osteoporosis, the many varieties of heart disease, and mental ailments like dementia, depression, anxiety, and Alzheimer’s; increased self esteem; improved hand eye coordination; more self confidence; better sexual performance; better mood and attitude (my kids can corroborate that one!); improved balance; better stress management and stress relief; more energy; improved mental skills, including memory and concentration, and increased mental clarity; the ability to heal faster, and the reduction of some chances of injury in the first place; and better odds at not only living longer, but having better quality of life in your advanced years.

So on those days when you questions your efforts, come back to this post and refresh your mind about all the great benefits of exercise.

Can you think of any other less than obvious benefits that I may have left out? Do you focus on any of these by-products as your primary goal?

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