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There are many reasons why exercise should be a significant part of your lifestyle.

But, if you’re like most people, you have multiple excuses why exercise never makes it into your routine.

If this is you, think about why you don’t make time for exercise, and think about five reasons why you personally haven’t made exercise a weekly habit.

Exercise is crucial to long-term health, but does knowing that make you want to break a sweat, today, tomorrow, and next week?

If you haven’t hit the gym in a while, here are 7 lifestyle benefits to convince you to get out there right now….

1. Exercise makes you feel more attractive
People who exercise have an improved body image over people who don’t.

Research suggests that physically fit women and men rated their attractiveness higher, than less active women and men of the same age.

Eighty percent of men and sixty percent of women who exercised two to three times per week, rated their attractiveness as above average.

2. Exercise improves your mood
If you’re sour from a bad day at work, research suggests there’s nothing better than putting your gym clothes on and working up a sweat.

During exercise, the body releases powerful hormone-like substances (endorphins) produced in the brain.

Endorphins function as the body’s natural painkillers. They are capable of producing feelings of euphoria, and a general state of well being.

3. Exercise can be fun
Sometimes it’s hard to imagine going to the gym every other day. Who wants more routine in their life? That’s why you have to find an exercise you truly enjoy.

Love swimming? Find a local pool. Take a class and learn Pilates, Boxing, or Yoga. Dance it up at a salsa club. Join your company’s softball team.

Make exercise fun and it won’t feel like another chore tacked on to your endless list of to-dos.

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4. Multi-exercise
Use exercise time to cross items off your to-do list.

Must call Mum daily? Try walking to and from work while talking to Mum. Meet weekly with your friend for lunch? Suggest a walk at a park, or a hike at a nearby town. Love to volunteer your time? Sign up to run a 5K for a good cause.

Incorporating your life into exercise will help it become second nature to you.

5. Exercise makes you sleep better
Exercise helps to set your body clock each day, making you more awake during the day and more tired at night.

This is especially true if you exercise in the mornings.

6. Exercise keeps you smart
When you exercise, you are using your body and your mind. Your brain makes multiple decisions based on balance, perception and memory. Exercise keeps your brain active and functioning well.

Something as simple as walking stimulates the brain, as it triggers memories and feelings.

7. Exercise makes you appreciate your body
Your body allows you to be a parent, a spouse, a worker, a friend, a family member… pretty much an “anything!”

Listen to your body while you exercise. Feel how your muscles and limbs work together. Take note of your body adjusting to the rhythm of a walk versus a jog. Watch your arm muscles tighten as you move the dumbbells up and down. Listen to your heart as you increase the exercise’s intensity.

The more you exercise, the more you’ll appreciate your body, what your body helps you achieve, and what it’s capable of doing.

Exercise is about improving your daily lifestyle, not just about living longer. Why not go out and exercise, and let your body feel the benefits today?

How does exercise make you a better person? How do you make exercise a habit in your life?