Yes, we should be healthy.  Yes, we should exercise.  Yes, we should eat in moderation.  If we all know this, why do we have such trouble actually doing it?  Mostly because the reward for bad behavior is immediate.  More time to watch TV, more chocolate, less effort, more tasty food and so on.  That’s all right there in front of you while the rewards for healthy behavior are not.  What is health anyway?  How does it help me?  How does it provide me with a benefit?

Well, here are 8 immediate things you can think of when you’re faced with that bowl of candy or the new episode of Survivor.  Hopefully, they can motivate you towards the healthier choice:

Live Longer – Very few people actually want to die, at least that’s my assumption.  Live a healthier life and you will probably live longer.  Statistically, your life span goes up multiple years if you live healthier.

Live Better – Not only will you live longer but you will also enjoy that life more.  Again, living healthier reduces the risk of everything from diabetes to Alzheimer.  Not to mention the fact that it’s a lot easier to have fun when you’re not huffing and puffing after every step.

Have Better Sex – Ok, maybe this should go under the live better point but sex is important enough that I thought I should call it out.  There are numerous studies that show people in better health have better sex.  For you men out there, there’s a clear link between obesity and erectile dysfunction.  Think about that next time you’re reaching for the chocolates.

Look better – Sound shallow?  So what?   Unless you’re some zen master who has achieved mastery over every physical concern, you’re just like the rest of us.  You want to look good.  You want your partner, spouse, friends and random strangers to look at you and think “damn!  He/she has a great ass!” or some variation on this comment.  Guess what, you don’t need to be skinny to look good but you do need to be healthy.  Muscle tone looks great!

Save Money – A timely topic for this day and age.  Not only will you save money by avoiding all those candy bars, sodas and hamburgers you were going to buy, you’re also going to save money by avoiding all those doctors and medical bills.  Treat your body right unless you want to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars fixing it up.

See The World – There are some things in this world that you canNOT do if you’re out of shape.  If you’re overweight, you cannot scuba dive.  If you’re obese, you have to pay more to fly.  If you’re out of shape, you will never see the view from the top of El Capitan.  If you’re out of breath on the stairs, you will never experience the joy of climbing a mountain, surfing in Hawaii or hiking through the Italian Countryside.  Is that extra hour on the sofa watching survivor really worth foregoing all these things?

Save The World – Going healthy improves the environment in a number of ways.  It reduces waste, eliminates pollution and cuts down on your carbon footprint.  I believe the Heroes saying was “save the cheerleader, save the world”.  Well, my saying is “save yourself, save the world”.

Spend Time With Your Loved Ones – How much is an extra day with your wife or husband worth?  How much is one more week with your kids worth?  Earn those weeks by living well and living long.  Being healthy will help you do both of those things.

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Think about some of these things the next time you’re wondering if the trip to the gym is worth it.