Top 5 Reasons to Make Improving Your Fitness Your New Years Resolution

How many of us have made resolutions this year and managed to stick to them? According to a study carried out by Richard Wiseman, a psychologist at the University of Hertfordshire, 78% of people fail to stick to their new-year pledges. Though a fair proportion of those who jumped wholeheartedly onto the treadmill on the 1st January in a bid to get in shape will still be enjoying their new exercise regime, there are plenty of people out there who have already let their plans fall by the wayside.

Exercise brings with it an almost endless list of benefits, including a more toned and streamlined appearance. It's not all about shedding the pounds, though. Becoming more active can have a hugely positive impact on your health and wellbeing, which is why you should aim to work on your strength, stamina and general fitness all year round.
Below we've listed five indirect benefits of exercise that will dramatically improve your quality of life.

Exercise Reduces Stress, Anxiety and Depression

Those who make a conscious effort to be active will notice an improvement in their general mood, especially if they are regularly exposed to high-pressure environments (a stressful job, for example) or are prone to feeling low. In fact, a study published in 1999 in the Archives of Internal Medicine has proven that exercise can be almost as effective as medication when it comes to reducing or managing the symptoms of depression. Working out also releases chemicals called endorphins, which trigger a positive feeling in the body.

Moving More Will Help You Sleep Better

If you're having trouble getting to sleep, regular exercise may prove a better solution than prescribed medication such as sleeping pills - and here's why. Your body temperature naturally rises during exercise, so it will take a few hours for it to drop again after you've finished working out. Studies have shown that this decrease in temperature induces sleep and prepares the body for rest, so as long as this drop in temperature coincides with your bedtime, you may find that you'll fall asleep faster and will sleep much more soundly. You'll consequently feel more alert during the day and will feel like you have bags of energy.

Be sure to exercise more than three hours before you go to bed, however. Working out later in the evening will often keep you awake, as you'll feel restless as a result of a high body temperature.

Your Functional Strength Will Improve

It may sound obvious, but sticking to a fitness plan in the longer term will improve your ability to carry out chores and other everyday household jobs without working up a sweat. Conditioning and strengthening your muscles will ensure that you're able to make light work of fairly strenuous tasks, such as scrubbing floors, emptying bins or running around after the kids. You won't feel so out of sorts after cleaning your home or looking after your family, which means you'll really be able to make the most of the little time you get to yourself!

Your posture is likely to improve and you will look and feel better in your clothes.
Exercise helps to reduce your body weight but can also help to strengthen your postural muscles, helping the way you sit, stand and move. This can ultimately help the way that you present yourself, making you appear taller and slimmer.

You'll Get Your Confidence Back In The Bedroom

Working out gets your blood pumping and increases your circulation, which can help prevent impotence or erectile dysfunction in men (and therefore greatly improve their performance in the bedroom). Exercise is also proven to increase sex hormones such as testosterone.
Regardless of whether you're male or female, you're likely to feel much more comfortable with your body if you're in better shape. This new-found confidence is bound to help spice up your time between the sheets!

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