How Long Before You Can Tell if Your Exercise Is Working?

Exercise has immediate and long-term physiological and psychological benefits, which are readily apparent and will let you know whether this activity is working from the start. Changes in weight, enhanced lung capacity, improved strength and endurance, increased cognitive function, overall sense of well-being, better sleep and improved sexual function are among the indications that exercise is working. Stay with an exercise program to realize its full benefits.

Physiological Benefits

Beginning an exercise program beats the alternative, a sedentary lifestyle. Whether you choose a walking program, riding a bicycle, joining a gym or other exercise -- activity is better than inactivity. Your body will immediately feel different as it adjusts to your new routine. Muscle soreness signals development and growth in areas of your body. Your lungs will grow stronger. Your heart will pump blood to all areas of your body, which will improve your cardiovascular function and endurance. Coupled with sensible diet, exercise can help you lose or gain weight as needed to achieve a toned and fit appearance.

Psychological Benefits

You are more likely to feel the psychological benefits of exercise even before you achieve the physiological benefits. Almost any exercise triggers the release of chemicals in your brain such as endorphins, dopamine and serotonin that will make you feel better. You will be amazed how quickly you will feel this effect. Exercise has an incredible ability to help you think more clearly, be more confident and feel healthier and more alive. This is the result of the release of these powerful chemicals.

Effects on Sleep and Sex

Dr. Shawn D. Youngstedt of the University of South Carolina's Department of Exercise Science notes that while exercising near bedtime can be disruptive to sleep, no daytime behavior is more closely associated with better sleep than exercise. Not only does it reduce weight that may contribute to disruptive sleep disorders but it also reduces stress. Sexual function also improves from exercise. According to Dr. Maryanne Fisher, Ph.D., writing in "Psychology Today," exercise stimulates the release of sex hormones, increases blood flow for enhanced sexual response and performance and expedites and intensifies sexual response in women. Fisher also reports that exercise results in higher levels of sexual intimacy, more satisfying orgasms and more reliable sexual functioning for men.

Longer-term Benefits

While the immediate results are easy to detect, unseen and long-term benefits are even more significant to your overall health and longevity. The American College of Sports Medicine reports that exercise significantly reduces your risk of stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, recurrent breast cancer and mortality, colon cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Exercise, the ACSM also reports, can decrease depression as effectively as antidepressants or behavioral therapy.