Unleash Your Success: 10 Surprising Ways Exercise Skyrockets Your Career & Fat Loss Goals!

I’ve been there before where we fall off our exercise routines, just eliminating it because we think that we’re so busy with work and we need to prioritize work because work provides the money for us to survive, right? But what we don’t understand is actually you don’t have to eliminate exercise in order to be successful at work. Actually, if you prioritize exercise, it sets you up better for the day and to be more successful in your career. Here are 10 surprising ways that exercise actually supports you in your career.

  1: Boosts Mental Clarity for Better Decision Making

 Busy professionals often face decision fatigue due to constant high-stress levels, affecting both their career and dietary choices. Regular exercise, especially in the morning, can sharpen mental clarity, leading to more effective decision-making. This improvement is vital for navigating complex professional challenges.

   – Tips to get you started:

1. Start your day with a 20-minute brisk walk.
2. Incorporate mindfulness exercises like yoga whenever you can throughout the week.
3. Keep a decision-making journal to track improvements. Once you see how exercise helps you, you will be more motivated to continue.

  2: Enhances Creative Thinking

 Creativity can stagnate under the pressure of a busy schedule. Incorporating exercises like aerobic workouts can boost creativity, helping in finding innovative solutions at work. This leads to more creative approaches to challenges.

   – Tips to get you started:

1. Schedule regular aerobic sessions, like swimming or cycling. You can even just take the stairs at your building instead of the elevator, if that is available to you. 
2. During breaks, take short, brisk walks. The goal is to get 10,000 steps a day. Let those steps add up.
3. Experiment with creative workout routines.

  3: Improves Time Management Skills

 Juggling a career and a health-focused lifestyle requires excellent time management. Regular exercise disciplines the mind and body, improving the ability to manage time effectively, a crucial skill for busy professionals aiming for weight loss and career advancement.

   – Tips to get you started:

1. Plan workouts as non-negotiable appointments.
2. Use exercise as a tool to break up and effectively manage your day.
3. Evaluate and adjust your schedule weekly.

  4: Builds Resilience to Stress

 High-pressure jobs can lead to burnout, hindering both career and health goals. Exercise, particularly mindfulness-based activities like yoga, builds resilience to stress. This equips professionals with the fortitude to tackle challenging tasks.

   – Tips to get you started:

1. Incorporate yoga or Pilates into your routine.
2. Practice deep breathing exercises post-workout.
3. Create a calming post-exercise ritual.

  5: Fosters Self-Discipline and Focus

 Lack of focus and discipline can derail career plans and health goals. Consistent exercise routines foster self-discipline, enhancing focus in professional tasks. This leads to improved work performance and consistency with your wellness plan.

   – Tips to get you started:

1. Set regular workout times.
2. Use a habit-tracking app. My favorite is the Fitness app on my iPhone. Your first goal on this app could be to close the circle daily.
3. Celebrate milestones to reinforce discipline.

  6: Increases Energy Levels

 Fatigue can be a major setback in maintaining a busy career and a clean diet. Regular physical activity, especially cardiovascular exercises, boosts energy levels, enabling professionals to be more productive at work and committed to their diet.

   – Tips to get you started:

1. Include cardio workouts like jogging or cycling. It’s important to be cautious with exercises that put too much stress on your body. If your job is already causing you a lot of stress, high-intensity workouts may not be beneficial, especially for women. This is because exercise triggers a mild stress response in the body, which can be counterproductive if your hormones are already causing you to experience chronic stress. In such cases, you may find yourself gaining weight and retaining excess fat. Therefore, I recommend low-intensity steady-state cardio exercises, such as walking for 55 minutes in the morning. This will help you get your workout done early, provide your body with Vitamin D, and allow you to connect with nature. Plus, it has numerous gut-brain benefits that will help you have a productive day.
2. Stay hydrated during workouts.
3. Ensure a balanced intake of nutrients.

  7: Enhances Networking Opportunities

 Networking is crucial for career advancement. Group exercises or sports provide unique networking opportunities while promoting physical health. This helps in building valuable professional relationships and staying on track with fitness goals.

   – Tips to get you started:

1. Join a local sports team or fitness group.
2. Attend workout classes targeted at professionals.
3. Participate in charity runs or fitness events.

  8: Improves Sleep Quality

 Poor sleep can affect work performance and dietary choices. Regular exercise promotes better sleep quality, crucial for cognitive function and maintaining discipline with clean eating. Better sleep leads to increased productivity and adherence to a healthy diet.

   – Tips to get you started:

1. Avoid exercising close to bedtime.
2. Create a relaxing pre-sleep routine.
3. Keep your bedroom environment conducive to sleep.

  9: Boosts Confidence and Self-Esteem

 Confidence is key in professions of all kinds. After a strength training workout, my muscles feel like the muscles of a bodybuilder, even though they may not look like it yet. This feeling makes me feel powerful and gives me confidence, which is essential for dealing with the pressures of corporate America and career. I recommend not skipping your strength training routine as it will build your psychological endurance for the day.

   – Tips to get you started:

1. Set and achieve small fitness goals.
2. Practice positive self-talk post-exercise.
3. Choose exercises that you enjoy and make you feel good.

  10: Encourages Healthy Eating Habits

 Exercise influences dietary choices. Engaging in regular physical activity creates a natural inclination towards healthier food options, like a high raw vegan diet, essential for busy professionals focused on releasing excess fat.

   – Tips to get you started:

1. Keep healthy snacks at hand post-exercise.
   
   There are plenty of healthy snack options available such as fruits and nuts. You can sign up for The RawFoodMealPlanner’s 21-Day New Year Meal Prep Challenge to learn how to make even more exciting options. Registration will be open soon.
2. Track your food intake alongside your workout routine.

Implementing these strategies can create a positive feedback loop, enhancing both career success and adherence to a healthy lifestyle. 

I hope this has opened your eyes to the many benefits exercise can provide for your career and health goals! Now I’d love to hear from you – what’s one new exercise habit you are excited to try based on what you read? Share your commitment in the comments!