who loves to exercise? come in here and tell your stories!

[JRo]

I've been working out periodically for several years. In the last two years it dropped off to a few times a month, but I managed to get to the gym.

In the last two months I've started going 4-5 times a week, for very long sessions and I feel so much better. My stress levels have gone down so much and I'm generally a lot happier.

Yay for exercise!

[wannabeslim4life]

I love it but unfortunately with DH's schedule and the kids I really do have to chose between alone time with him or exercising. I just keep telling myself one day the kids will be grown and it will be just us again and I will have time for me.

[SweetPoison2]

I don't mind doing it. And after is awesome. But sometimes getting up to go do it...well, just not feelin it sometimes!!

[fawn]

I adore my exercise. I hike/run. I have a hill behind my home that is about a 30% grade....no matter how many times I hike it, it is never easy. easier but never easy. I then run for about 3 miles on a ridge. I have the only jogging chihuahua in the neighborhood It helps my PMS, my general moods, my stress level, I sleep well at night. I love it! It's also special time for DH and I to spend together discussing life. And the oxygen is so valuable.

3 days a week I lift weights
and

DH and I love to ride bikes we have a great trail that runs through 3 towns through fields and vineyards...it's a nice ride(the chihuahua has a basket on my bike so he's never left out of the exercise!)

[LouieLouie2007]

Another exercise lover here. I decided to get real serious about tri training when my aunt was diagnosed with breast cancer. I signed up for Tri for the Cure and have been having an awesome time. I just finished my second tri on Sunday and have another planned for next month.

[debbiedo]

I love exercise. I run at least 4 days a week. I do it with friends and alone sometimes but it has also opened up a whole social life I never had. I try to hit the gym 3 days a week for weights and Pilates. I have tendonitis is the elbow right now so have to take a rest from that but hope one more week and I am back to normal. I used to be a real gym rat but changed my work schedule and my running always comes first.

I have exercised consistently since the first time I lost some weight around 9-10 years ago. I have always lifted weights and done some cardio. I went back to running right before I turned 50. I started thinking of the things I used to do and stopped doing because of having kids. I never knew I would end up racing and making running a major part of my life.

I ran my 4th half marathon last week. I still have a desire to do a marathon but not sure I want to commit to that much training when I have back issues. Mostly I want to keep running and marathon training wears out the body.


My oldest son and husband are also running since I started.

My diet isn't consistent but my running is.I may be around 6 pounds more then my all time low and always trying to lose a few more pounds but I look fine and try not to sweat it too much as long as I am not gaining weight.

I have gained as much as 30 pounds back even with 5 days a week and 2 hours in the gym so exercise really isn't the answer for weight loss for me. It is a key to my psyche though.

[haystar]

Some days it is hard for me to get going, but I always do and I always feel better when I'm done!

I started working out regularly (at least 5 days a week, usually 6, and sometimes 7 ) almost two years ago; in October of 2006. From then on, it was just a part of my day like brushing my teeth or washing my face. I don't feel *right* if I don't get my workout in (when I plan on being able to).

Since then, I have lost 20 pounds to be in my comfy range, the 120's. I never weigh anymore - I go by how I feel and how my clothes fit. But I feel so much better. I wasn't horribly overweight before, but I was uncomfortable in my own skin, and there isn't anything worse than that

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

Originally Posted by haystar

..... five days a week, usually 6, and sometimes 7 ) ...... just a part of my day like brushing my teeth or washing my face. I don't feel *right* if I don't get my workout in .....

I share these sentiments along with Haystar...

Exercise is what I do. It makes me feel better, look better, elevates my confidence, sleep better, better s*x, controls my weight better, better energy, deal with stress better, and fights the aging unlike most anything out there.

I work out six days a week, usu one day for rest. Without it, I'm grumping and begin feeling sluggish and lazy. I honestly have more energy on days I exercise.

My weekly forms of exercise include: Callanetics, running, cardio/kickboxing, cardio/elliptical, weight lifting, ab workouts, pushups.

I've increased my LBM substantially since March, and I attribute it to my workout schedule and to eating clean and watching my macronutrients.

I am thankful for my health that allows me to exercise and work out. I am blessed.

[Neecy08]

I find it's hard to get STARTED with exercise, but once I start its easy to keep going. I like going for walks - like Fawn, I'm situated on a hill with a very steep incline and I walk up and down it and it really gives me a good workout. I have started doing yoga and lifting weights and hopefully will see some results. This week the callanetics DVD I bought off ebay should arrive so I'll start that. I also have a recumbent exercise cycle that I plan to use during the winter when its too cold/wet to go walk.

[tammay]

You know, it's weird because I was always the chubby kid in school who HATED P.E. (back in the days when they had P.E. and didn't cut it out because of "budget cuts" ) and did everything possible to slink into the background so I wouldn't have to do anything and the teacher would forget about me (and always last to get picked for teams, of course!)

But I started to get self-motivated to exercise while doing my master's degree a few years ago and since then I have pretty much stuck with a basic routine of doing at least 30 minutes a day of some exercise every day and usually more than that. I've had days off, of course (like today I woke up with bad lower back pain so I found it hard to move more than just a few steps) but for the most part, I've been much more regularly exercising than keeping to a healthy food plan.

I think the reason why is because I'm such a high stress, high anxiety person that exercise is one of the few ways that I can ease the stress and anxiety. There were times when I was really high stressed because of some painful or unpleasant incident and took a break to do some heavy exercise (heavy for me!), usually 30 minutes of abs, and I always finished much less stressed than I began. That happened this Thursday, in fact.

So I totally agree that exercise is the best, as long as you find something you're comfortable with and that you love and do it during a time of day that works for you instead of some prescribed time period. Like I find that taking a break mid-day to do my exercise works much better for me than if I do the exercise first thing in the morning.

Tam

[JuliaL]

I was a couch potato all my life, but when I read Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution and got to the chapter called Exercise - It's Not Negotiable, I realized that if I was going to seriously lose the weight and keep it off I had to make exercise a part of my life.

I started out by walking around the neighborhood. At first all I could handle was 15 to 20 minutes a day, but I worked my way up to 45-minute walks. After the weather started to turn cold I got some workout videos and started doing step aerobics and weight lifting at home. Now I work out for 45 mins. to an hour a day, 6 days per week.

To those who say they don't have time for exercise - how much time do you spend watching TV? If you can watch a 1-hr. TV show, you can take 45 mins out of your day for exercise. When you have a family to take care of it's important to take care of yourself. By making time for yourself every day you are really helping your family because you will be healthier, happier and able to give more of yourself when they need you.

What I've learned about exercise is that action produces motivation. When you don't feel like working out, just do something; anything. Even if it's just 10 mins. of dancing around your living room with your kid on your hip. Move your body and it will reward you by pumping endorphins into your blood that will make you feel great!

[sugarless4life]

ME ME ME !!!!

I only wish I had my own show on FitTV !!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE running ... right now, I'm nursing a very painful post-op toe so my running is for now, but I AM DETERMINED TO COME BACK .... that I will !!

I also love weight lifting. I can't say enough about how much its done for me. And yanno what, I never ever paid a dime for gym fees ... I simply bought myself a high quality set of dumbbells (HELLO BOW FLEX!) and I work out in the comfort of my own home ! I love my stability ball too .. wow, what an incredible tool to shape and tone the midsection!!

I work out 7 days a week, either running or weights and I would NEVER miss a day !!!

Atkins helped me lose the weight, but EXERCISE CHANGED MY LIFE. EVEN AT 52 ! Whoddathunk there was a six pack under there !?!

Betty

[WATCH-ME-SHRINK]

Originally Posted by JuliaL

To those who say they don't have time for exercise - how much time do you spend watching TV? If you can watch a 1-hr. TV show, you can take 45 mins out of your day for exercise. When you have a family to take care of it's important to take care of yourself. By making time for yourself every day you are really helping your family because you will be healthier, happier and able to give more of yourself when they need you.

What I've learned about exercise is that action produces motivation. When you don't feel like working out, just do something; anything. Even if it's just 10 mins. of dancing around your living room with your kid on your hip. Move your body and it will reward you by pumping endorphins into your blood that will make you feel great!

AMEN.
AMEN.
AMEN.

[Sharon]

Another exercise lover here. I"m retired now so it's easier to stay on a routine. Whether it is yoga, weight lifting, race walking (the goofy walk) or classes at 24 Hour Fitness -- I'm usually doing something everyday except maybe a Tuesday or a Friday. I had been flying down to Southern California every other week to babysit my now 16 month old grandson and got off a schedule but now seeing him is on my terms. It feels great to be back to my exercise workout schedule.

[FloridaShell]

I love to exercise. I'm not complete if I miss a day! Plus, it's my "me" time.

[mamagiff]

I bike indoors and outdoors as well as weights and/or kettlebell workouts. Love it! I feel guilty taking a day off now and then but know that I need to let my body rest at times.

I used to do a lot of walking, too, but dr. said no more due to severe arthritis in my knee. I really miss it as an alternative to biking.

I've decided to get a family membership in the fitness center that is not too far from here so I have some alternative winter workout choices once I can't bike outdoors.

[tea cup]

I get up a 1/2 hour before sunrise to walk for 40 minutes almost every day. The Arizona mornings are cooling off now so I will probably start walking a little later each morning.

I go to the gym 2 or 3 times a week for weights and 15 minutes on the elliptical.

I love walking outside in the early morning. The air is so fresh. The moon is still visible. The colors in the sky are heavenly. It is so quiet. Peace.

tea cup

[DwightSchrute]

Okay, something different here.

I hate exercise but I do it anyway because I know it is good for me. I don't want to be 80 and wish I had taken better care of my body. I run, go to the gym 2-3x week, pilates class 1x wk, plus have a treadmill, weights and stability ball.

I would still rather be on the couch watching tv.

[CurlsNCuffs]

I love it - motivates me to do more!

[AkGirl79]

mY day isn't complete if I haven't exercised. I have become so dedicated that I acutally will schedule my day around it. I took my DD's to the mall last night and kept thinking, "I've got to get home and treadmill before it's too late."

I love exercising. I love the sore feeling the next morning when I wake up. I love the changes that I am seeing in my body. I love the energy I have now that I never did. I have always wanted to run. This week I was able to run 2 miles straight. That's HUGE for me. Haven't been able to do it since but I do run 1 mile everynight. Last night I walked on the treadmill backwards trying to mix up the routine. It was fun!

[lazlo0607]

well i am doing p90x. have noticed a huge dif and do everyday. i think is good for everyone and you go at your own pace dont have to match what they are doing. have to push self but should do that anyway. yoga is awesome by the way. helps the entire body. you do the program how you want. you can build mass or become lean its all what you want and is broke down how you would like

[homestretch]

I love, love, love it! I have been exercising a minimum of 3 times a week for the last 2 1/2 years. I used to exercise 6 days a week for 1-2 hours at a time but I learned the hard way (injuries) to slow down. Now I speed walk or hike 3 miles 3-4 times a week and it just perfect for me.

[Teresa123]

I'm another non-lover of exercise. I am growing to like it, and I enjoy the results of it, but I'm not in love. Hopefully one day I'll get there, or at least to the point where it's just a normal part of my routine, but in the mean time I'll just keep forcing myself!

[sadiebaby]

I have been exercising since our last child was born, 21 years ago. Most of it was walking or rebounding until about 12 years ago. When I turned 40, I hit the panic button I started lifting weights and haven't looked back. I was absolutely amazed in the body transformation and it really didn't take that long. Since then, I have read so many articles about how beneficial it is for a woman's body, warding off all kinds of horrible diseases. So now, I work out every body part 1 time a week in either 2 or 3 sessions. I also walk 5 days a week for at least 30 minutes, jiving to my music, another important part of my life. I can really tell a difference when I don't do it. Exercise is a huge mood booster for me. And I love being strong and having firm muscles. Once when I was working on the my father in-laws ranch, I was hauling and lifting 50 lb bags of seed with ease and it was such a kick! Not sure he appreciated it though...lol

[biglosser]

I enjoy running when its nice and cool outside, but hate it when its 90 something.
I really do enjoy running, especially after a stressfull day at work. I sleep so good at night too. Lately though my leg has been bothering me and some days are worse than others.

Vikki

[Amber Colin]

hi

i love it after u start the exercise, halfway through, and the end result... the feeling of completing a planned workout is great! you stand tall, walk proudly, in bigger and confident strides, like you are suddenly more ready to face the world or challenges ahead. It must be the endorphines thing!

I either do my stationery exercise bike, attend aerobics classes at a ladies' fitness centre, or walk to work.

I recently signed up unlimited package of aerobics classes and I try to attend few days a week after work, and sunday mornings. Classes include kickboxing, hi-lo aerobics (high and low impact combined), Step aerobic workouts, Resistance training using handweights. Its an 1-hour session, first 10 mins warm up, 45mins cardio, 5-7mins ab crunches and cool down stretching. I love it when you are familiar with the steps and do it with real zest and energy with the music and it's like giving your all at that very moment! And the body feels so wonderful and fulfilled when you stretch at the end of the session and the instructor will play slow music as we lay on the gym mat to cool down....

I do admit sometimes I will feel lazy to go or give excuses and always fall back on the I-can-do-my-stationery-bike-later-tonite kind of thinking. However, I believe that falling into a comfort zone will cause the body to reach a plateau and the same old exercise will not stimulate or kick-start any weightloss. It's the body getting used to a routine and not being pushed to the fullest potential.

Joyce