Exercise because it feels good

I used to hate exercise. I dreaded it. It created a weird anxiety that prevented me from enjoying it. I could only see it as a chore rather than something that actually felt good. I didn’t understand that I needed to exercise to feel good– physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Exercise is something we should do because we want to do it, because when we do it, it allows us to feel good and live our best, happy, healthy lifestyle.

Exercise is not a way to earn food.

Exercise is not a punishment for food.

Exercise is way to improve our overall health, to have a body that is capable of doing what we want to do, without limitations that are within our control.

Exercise should include the following:

• Improving flexibility to avoid injury
• Improving our cardiovascular system to oxygenate our bodies
• Improving strength to be strong enough to do what we want
• Improving endurance and stamina to participate in life’s activities without fear of being able to keep up

Exercise does have weight loss benefits as well, including building muscle mass, which allows us to metabolize (burn for energy) stored fat more efficiently, but viewing exercise simply as a weight loss task takes the joy out of the true benefits.

Exercising to look better is an added bonus, a byproduct of the effects of fitness, but should not be the sole motivation. Looking better will come in time, but feeling good will happen immediately.

Find fitness activities that you actually LIKE doing. If going to the gym and walking on the treadmill is enjoyable, great! Do it! But if you hate it, find something else.

Don’t be afraid to try new things—no one is good at something when they first start. And joining a class is a great way to meet people who are working towards the same healthy lifestyle goals as you. Sure it might be intimidating at first, but that’s okay. Getting outside of your comfort zone will stretch you in more ways than one.

You don’t have to be a runner to be fit. You don’t have to lift weights to be “toned.” All you have to do is move your body, elevate your heart rate, and challenge yourself to make progress—focusing on what feels good—physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Remember: A body in motion stays in motion.

Follow all the rules for living a happy, healthy I’mperfect Life: The Rules