If you don't like exercise, why not?

I used to dislike it as a child, now I'm an addict, I like the buzz from intense physical exertion, mostly strength training but lately I've started running, found it a little torturous but kept at in and now I'm getting into it.
I especially like the calm feeling afterwards, although it's not quite as good as a swimming high.

What I like most about exercise is the shape I'm in, @ mid 40's I'm leaner and fitter than I've ever been.

I don't exercise, because I don't like it. I am an active person, but I dislike strenuous physical effort, and I find it boring beyond belief.

I recently started excercising again, despite having less time than ever, and I m feeling so much better, much of it psychological for me, but I have a history of MH issues so tht is great for me!

I also have chronic back pain and it really helps with that. I am a lot less sore now than a few months back.

Nice endorphin release.

Plus I feel hungrier, which as a skinny is good.

J cup boobs here and urticaria induced by sweating
But I still exercise. I like feeling strong, and when I've worked out it feels like I've done what my body is meant to do?
I sweat, I get covered in itchy hives and out of breath, and it feels great
Helps my panic attacks a lot by realising that being out of breath isn't always a bad thing
I don't like running, but I love circuits, strongman training, riding my horse, weights and spinning. Oh and I have sciatica so sometimes it hurts a bit. But I need to do it for my mental and physical health, my job involves sitting down for 8/10 hrs a day

Controversial topic, I went on BBC Radio Northampton to talk about this on Sunday. They got me talking through how to do a pelvic floor lift on air! I think it's all about feeling good about yourself. Neither the stick thin celeb nor the wallowing coach potato seem very happy to me. www.bbc.co.uk/radio/player/p00tpx89

I get loads of excercise chasing DD around as she is reaching mac1 and picking up DP's belongings that he lovingly leaves tornado style around the house....... i'd loose loads of weight if not for the necessary beer ;p

By the way, to all those folks who were put off sport at school, why not give it another go? I joined a hockey club when I was 25 (because my then boyfriend was a member) after not playing since school and now I love it! You wouldn't believe how theraputic whacking that ball around can be!
You don't have to be any good either as most clubs will have a number of teams, which varying levels of skill, or you could just go to training.

I don't know how I'd cope without exercising. My mood if I don't, well, put it this way, my DH makes me go for some exercise if I haven't been for a while!
When I was pregnant with DS1 I suffered from extreme tiredness so couldn't exercise, and so I ate to give me energy (didn't work, but was fun). This meant that after the birth I was at my unfittest ever, and I couldn't believe the difference in myself. For instance, i found that walking to the local shop made me out of breath, and it also made me more scared of being out alone at night as I knew that I had no chance of running from anyone (which I've done in the past), let alone fighting anyone off.
It was a weird feeling, and it's made me appreciate how much being fit means to me. It's taken me a while to find the sports/exercise that I enjoy AND fits into my current lifestyle, but it's definitely worth it!

According to a physiology professor I know, our bodies are designed for walking 22 miles a day. No wonder we have an epidemic of lifestyle diseases.

designed to run

Errr...design through evolution? Bodies adapting to meet physical challenges of environment - all well documented by science. Probably only worth being pedantic when you are correct

And I feel pedantic tonight and like I should point out that our bodies are not designed for anything.

It's not till you start again that you realise the difference.

I think this is the use of "you" where the person speaking really means "I", or possibly the impersonal "one, but not actually "all people", just "some people".

Well, I can see that the depreession thing may be true for a lot of people, I don't think it makes a jot of difference to me when I have spells of regular exercise, or breaks from it. I notice the physical differences (ability to march up hills without puffing, better tone, lower heartrate etc) but mentally no difference at all. I get a good feeling after a decent run, but it's very shortlived. I also feel proud of myself if I achieve a new PB, but again, it's very transitory and doesn't have any lasting effect, certainly rarely lasts long enough to make me any keener to get out again. i am resigned to the fact that exercise is always going to be a necessary chore for me, like the housework.

Yeah a dog would get depressed if they didn't have a run around wouldn't they?

I am fortunate in that I have never suffered from depression but if I stop exercising I start to feel noticeably low and lethargic very quickly. It keeps me healthy mentally as well as physically. I agree with the poster above who said we are not designed to be sedentary! Never thought of it that way before.

I am also getting depressed right now as I am 1.5 weeks post op and can't run. Not looking hopeful anytime soon either as I've developed an infection.

BTW hated team games and anything competitive at school. Still do I suspect but it hasn't been an issue since school.

"Also exercise is very, very good for tackling mild depression. It won't fight the sort that needs serious treatment, but it is an important element of good mental as well as physical health. Another reason why, as someone who has had depression in the past, I need to do it"

Agree MI. I have a tendency to depression and know that getting out there on a run is a really good way to help my mood. In fact my last really bad bout started in earnest when I broke my toe and couldn't run for a few months. It was like someone had switched the sun off.

Hey, I thought I was the smug one here!

You said "Swedish, I never said it did. But it increases the chances of being healthy. Just like being slim does" Therefore, you (CurrySpice) increase your chances of being healthy by exercise as I increase mine by being slim. I am not meaning to sound as smug about that as I'm sure it comes across. This thread is displacement activity for me as I really don't have strong views on this subject at all, honest.

Was that to me Edith? Because if it was I don't understand

Well, then we're even because I'm relatively slim

Same here - self image as crap at sports due to unsupportive school PE sessions, but now enjoying my running