Get going and get over that exercise slump!

Now that winter is finally and officially over, it’s time to think about the newness that spring brings with this change. During those cold weather months, you may have hunkered down with comfort foods, your TV and your pet, giving little thought to hitting the home gym equipment.

But now that the weather is warming up, it’s time to replace the big sweaters with swimsuits. This means you must get over that winter exercise slump and hop on that elliptical machine or stationary bike, dedicating yourself to a fitness routine. Aside from looking and feeling great physically, there are a variety of reasons not to let yourself get sidetracked from exercise goals.

Top reasons to get off the couch and onto the fitness treadmill

Sleep: Anyone suffering from sleep issues knows how miserable it is to try and have a productive day when you’ve barely slept the night before. Luckily, physical activity has been proven to improve the quality of sleep, which reduces the risk of depression, helps you concentrate better and gives you more energy because you’re fully rested.

Weight: Whether you need to lose weight or maintain your current weight, regular exercise helps you accomplish these goals. Engaging in weekly cardio and strength sessions boosts your metabolism, which helps control your weight better.

Medical conditions: No one likes to get sick, especially if it’s a serious medical condition. Exercise helps to lower the risk of a variety of health concerns including heart disease, high blood pressure and cholesterol as well as Type 2 diabetes. Weekly workout sessions also help prevent bone loss, which lowers a person’s chances (or at least delays them) of developing osteoporosis. What’s more, living a healthy lifestyle, which includes exercising and eating right, has been shown to lower the likelihood of cancer.

Mood: Physical activity releases endorphins, which are the hormones that make you feel good. Simply put, endorphins are the chemicals that work in your brain to improve your mood. Whenever you feel stressed, anxious, sad or angry, instead of grabbing a doughnut, you can hop on the home treadmill for a 30- or 45-minute sweat session. Afterward you’ll feel much better and will have taken some time to take care of your body as well as your mind.