What’s YOUR motivation for working out? Whether we like to admit it or not, for most of us, it’s to look good.

This is just fine, but I always advise new and potential clients to think more broadly and deeply than that and see their exercise efforts as an investment in long-term health, and the benefits you can’t see on the surface.

In my experience, it tends to be a more powerful, long-term motivator – and for good reason. Almost immediately, your health will begin to improve as a result of exercise – even if the scale or measuring tape are taking their time. Some key benefits:

• Prevention. More exercise = less disease and illness.
• Reverse muscle aging. (Read more here.)
• Maintain and increase bone density, which your 80-year-old self will thank you for down the road. (More on that here.)
• Stronger and healthier joints. Your body is a machine that works better the more it’s used. This article summarizes a study that showed …”resistance exercise for people 65 and older can actually reverse important aging effects on skeletal muscles, to the point where they work genetically like those found in people four decades younger”.
• A reduced risk of Type 2 diabetes (and the 137 other diseases that are associated with it).
• You’ll be less prone to injury (a benefit of being strong, healthy, and flexible).

…and the fantastic bonus is, while you’re focused on all the good you’re doing for your body, you’ll be losing the fat and building the muscles necessary to produce the physical appearance you’re going for.

So, as much as you may want to fit into that dress or bulk up your muscles for the beach, remember that each work out is doing wonderful things for your body that just might not be quite as visible. Plug away at it and, before long, you’ll start to be able to see the benefits on the outside too.