Your lifestyle can have a huge impact on every aspect of your life. Stretching improves blood flow, walking makes you happier, and cardio strengthens your heart. More importantly, it can save your life. A North Carolina woman is now thanking her tenacity towards fitness. After being in a car accident, she’s discovered lifting weights benefitted her more than she realized. In fact, her gym routine kept her from being buried six feet under.
Sofia (@sof.lifts77) shared a recent video detailing her horrifying experience with a serious car accident, captioned, “This is your sign to stop making excuses.” She starts by saying, “If you’re still looking for a reason to get in the gym, please listen to this because lifting weights is honestly probably the reason that I’m here right now.” Sofia recounts her story of being in a bad car accident just days before. She was able to physically pull herself out of her car due to the strength she built through weight-lifting.
Her doctor also told her that her spine should be shattered due to the force of the collision. Instead, she was able to walk away with only three fractures. She explained to her doctor she lifts, to which he replied, “That’s why you’re so okay right now.”
Although Sofia started her fitness journey to feel happier, she claims she never thought it would save her life. She explains that, even though you never know what will happen to you, it pays off to work on your health. You want to be prepared for the unexpected, right? I find that super inspiring! Everyone should take her experience as a sign working out is never wasted time.
Commenters from all walks of life, some who are also into fitness, shared their own stories on her video. One person stated, “As someone who works in a rehab hospital and is going into physical therapy, I always emphasize lifting weights in some form, muscle adds YEARS to your life and bone density is so important.” Another pointed out, “Having more muscle mass also increases likelihood of surviving cancer if you get it since you lose a lot of weight/muscle while sick. The more muscle you have = the more time you have to let treatments work.”
With all that in mind, there are clearly many positive reasons to hit the gym, even if it’s a light workout. And while one commenter made me laugh with a, “Damn not me laying in bed making excuses… I am leaving now,” the importance of exercise makes me want to get out and do better in my personal life. Sofia’s story is incredibly inspiring and I’m glad she’s on the mend!
