Why Working Out Is Good for Your Dating Life!

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This is probably the dating advice no one wants to hear.

You have heard all about why exercise routines are good for you. But have you read about how they’re good for your dating life? I know, physical fitness isn’t a popular topic in dating. That doesn’t change how much influence it has over romance, though. What influence, you ask?

I’m glad you bring that up. 

The stereotype is true that men want to marry a beautiful woman, and women want to marry a strong man. Why? I think it points to the physical demands of marriage. It’s a tough vocation! It involves earning a living, working together to run a household, as well as having and raising notoriously energetic children. More struggles can come with age, illness, travel, and extended family needs. Being physically fit is a huge help to marriage, in so many ways! 

It’s pretty obvious how this is tied to your dating life. You get to marriage through dating, right? Ipso facto, physical fitness is also good for dating. But not just because of marriage being physically demanding. There are plenty of other factors that influence dating directly!

Let's talk about how you can take your dating game to the next level simply by dusting off the old workout routine...

Hormone regulation.

Did you know that exercise can help balance and regulate different hormones in your body? This article outlines how hormone levels can be influenced by a workout routine. Biologically, we as humans are wired to look for partners who have healthy, balanced hormones. We are subconsciously attracted to people who have balanced hormones because it means that person is healthier, stronger, and more fertile.

Nobody thinks this way when they go on a date, nor should they: it is just rooted in our DNA and genetic makeup. Additionally, hormone regulation can also help you feel happier, sleep better, and stress less. All of those things sound good for dating, am I right?

Attraction.

Physical attraction is obviously a big part of romantic relationships! As discussed, physically fit people are more attractive partly due to hormones. Another part is visual attraction. Typically, as a gender, men find signs of good health to be attractive in women: a healthy weight, shiny hair, and feminine curves, all of which are influenced by fitness level. Women are typically attracted to strength, power, and muscle, also clearly tied to fitness.

I’m NOT saying you have to be a model in order to be attractive, by the way! Everyone has different body types, genetics, preferences, and appearances—and attraction is sooo much more than just looks. My point here is simple: exercise is one of the best ways to make the most of your physical attributes.

Self-discipline.

Having a consistent workout routine in your life shows several things about your character: you have drive, work ethic, consistency, and you value your health. Not only that, but fitness regimes offer you solid measurements of success: can you lift that weight? Can you run that mile? Can you _____(fill in the blank)______? All of this points to the great character trait of self-discipline.

A person who is able to rule his own body is in control of his/her appetites and habits. This self-discipline can translate into many areas of life, and is an invaluable skill for oneself and especially for marriage. Bolster the first impression your dates have of your character simply by showing the self-discipline of regular exercise. 

Immune system boosts.

Another biological benefit to exercise is a healthy immune system. This article talks specifically about immune defenses against Covid-19, but the science behind it rings true for any illness. Exercise improves the circulation of blood and lymph, which transfers immune cells all over the body. This can reduce inflammation and fight off tiny infections before they become a bigger problem. This all ties into our basic biological wiring: we are wired to find a healthy spouse, and a strong immune system makes a person healthy. Much of our immunity comes from genetic factors, diet, climate, and medical care, too. Fitness is one piece of the puzzle, but it can have powerful effects on your health. 

Emotional control . . . and conflict management.

This one is a little out of the box, but it is very real! People who struggle with emotional well being, such as depressive or anger tendencies, often don’t have a good way to process their feelings. Physical activity is one of the most natural ways to manage emotional swings; it can boost happiness and provides a great outlet for working off frustration.

This ties into conflict management in relationships. Conflict often arises from emotions having control over a person, rather than the other way around. Conflict gets unhealthy and especially detrimental when the conflict itself is the emotional outlet for a couple. Working out, on the other hand, is a great way to process emotions, take a little time away from each other, and blow off some steam. You can then come back to the disagreement with a clear head and calmer feelings

Allow me to close with a quick note on the importance of your physical body in God’s plan for you.

In today's Catholic dating culture, prayer and spiritual life is regarded as the most important part of life. We’re not wrong! But, if we focus all our energy on our spiritual life, it becomes easy to disregard the physical life. We all have only 24 hours in a day, after all, so we can’t do everything.

Just remember, God made us as spiritual AND physical beings. Taking care of our bodies is also thanking God for his gifts and doing our best to steward them. Alternatively, to neglect the care of our physical selves is to neglect half of the life God wants for us. In pursuing dating and marriage, check in with yourself once in a while to see how your fitness is influencing your path. It might be making more of a difference than you think!

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