Since homosapien first saw its reflection in a body of water, it’s been obsessed with self-image.

Now that body of water is our phone, and we carry it everywhere we go, on standby for the perfect selfie to upload onto the ‘gram. The fitness industry is the worst culprit for self-obsessed image-manic mind games. From bodybuilding competitions to before and after photo marketing campaigns, we take the crown for body dysmorphia exploitation.

I’d like to change all that by giving you some reasons to move your body and forget about how to make your abs visible, arms larger, or thighs skinnier.

1.You meet incredible people

At 5EW we pride ourselves on our community. From plunging into an ice bath to flipping tyres, we encourage people to get to know each other through a little bit of adversity. After all, that’s how great bonds are formed. When you and I go into battle together, we share a connection of trust and admiration. As per our last post on the secret to longevity, a community is one of the most powerful ways to increase your health span (the length of time you are healthy). So use your exercise routine as a means to strengthen bonds with someone you care about or find a way to meet new people doing something you enjoy!

2. You feel unstoppable

After a hard work out with your personal trainer, whether it be a 5km swim or lifting a personal record in a workout, the sense of achievement is immense. The combined psychological and physiological effects of exercise on your brain are very noticeable. Science has shown that just 1 week of not exercising reduces dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain. You begin to lose motivation and feel a general lack of fulfilment. By moving your body in vigorous activity, you commit yourself to a routine and enhance vital neuro-chemicals in your brain.

Science has shown that just 1 week of not exercising reduces dopamine and serotonin levels in the brain.

3. Your body functions better

From your digestive system to your lymphatic system, there isn’t one physiological system that is not affected by exercise. It’s well known that exercise enhances your cardiovascular system and respiratory system, but just as profound (and probably more noticeable) are the benefits to your digestion, immunity, and brain function. Instead of scaring you into exercising by touting the obvious consequences of stroke, heart attack, or Alzheimer’s disease, I feel it’s important to articulate how GOOD your body can feel if you do exercise.

4. You live longer

A US study examining 654,000 people showed that a healthy population who exercise on average live 7.2 years longer than their overweight non-exercising peers (1). That could be the difference between being a great grandparent or not. There’s no pill on earth that can boast that kind of effect on longevity… and it’s free.

5. You become smarter

Exercise can help you learn faster, be more creative and solve problems more efficiently. Much of this effect is due to a chemical called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) (2). This chemical causes new brain cells to grow and prevents older ones from dying! This increase in BDNF is also accompanied with improved cognitive performance scores. When we exercise, we get an increase in blood flow and oxygen to the brain. Learning new movement patterns has been shown to be one of the most effective ways to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. As I’ve mentioned before, a dancer may learn up to 400 new movements in an audition setting. These new neural networks create a much faster and more efficient brain.

6. You become more physically abled

There aren’t too many better feelings than lifting 100kg off the floor for the first time. This level of strength is available to almost anyone with a little practice. If you have strength, maybe it’s time to work on mobility. If you have both, begin to use your abilities in more creative ways such as dance or callisthenics. Fortunately, or unfortunately, there’s never a finish line with movement. There’s always something to develop or refine in the quest to create your best body. These abilities translate into real life. Can you carry 30kg of grocery shopping home without a car? Can you play with your kids in the backyard all afternoon? These are very real scenarios that require you to be fit and healthy.

7. You sleep deeper

One of the most common complaints newcomers to 5EW have is that they cannot sleep. Exercise has been shown to balance the circadian rhythm and improve neurochemicals that aid in sleep, like serotonin. It’s best not to exercise too late in the evening as the creation of epinephrine and norepinephrine may keep you up. One of my favourite ways to combat jet lag is barefoot yoga in the park. If you find yourself a night owl or even someone with insomnia, try to exercise at least 4 hours per week and see if that makes a difference.

If you want to base your happiness on the aesthetics of your decaying body, then you are destined for failure at some point. It’s best to control what you can, like your strength, health and happiness to live a more fulfilling life. Whether you’re in the gym, on the track, in the pool or on the mat, don’t compare your looks against the person next to you. Just remind yourself why you are really there – because you enjoy it!

References:
Moore, S., et al. (2012). Leisure Time Physical Activity of Moderate to Vigorous Intensity and Mortality: A Large Pooled Cohort Analysis. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1001335
Ferris, L.T., Williams, J.S., Shen, C.L. (2007). The effect of acute exercise on serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels and cognitive function. Medical Science Sports Exercise. Retried from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17414812