Non-weight-loss benefits of exercise?

When we went to Paris and climbed the Eiffel Tower DS (5) ran the whole way up and I held his hand and was able to keep up. I remember climbing it as a teenager and it being exhausting but it didn't even register in my 40s.

3 months ago I could swim 20 lengths or just go for a short walk. Now I can do 45 mins of interval running/ hill walking on the treadmill. I can swim 60 lengths. I have started to increase my weights at body pump to 3.5kg each side on the bar for the squat track, 2.5kg each side for everything else.

I feel stronger and more positive and happier.

I run and I love how I get to explore on my runs - I know my city, the parks, the trails etc really well.
I can climb mountains and not even notice the effort.
A few months after starting yoga I redecorated a bedroom with a really high ceiling, found myself painting while standing on the top of the step ladder, and I had the stability to do that.

Running has helped me deal with some really difficult periods in my life. When it's just me, out in the wilderness (usually at dawn!) just being out among nature and having space to think really helps me to relax, outside of the pressures of kids/work/everything else.

I also like the feeling that I've got more strength and speed, and power to look after myself. I certainly felt more vulnerable when I was so unfit I literally couldn't run for a bus.

And being with the kids, too. I like that I'm fit enough to run along them for several miles if they're out on a bike ride, and that I can join in if they want to go climbing or trampolining or whatever. It's nice to be able to do that stuff as a family rather than me being the mum who holds the bags.

One of my siblings now has physical disabilities which prevent them doing the climbing and mountaineering they previously lived for It was emergency brain surgery which thankfully saved their life but left them with permanent numbness down one side.
I started running properly when they were touch and go in ICU as a way to get out of the house & have a good cry without upsetting my DC (red & sweaty hides tearful eyes)
I now run because I feel I owe it to my sibling to keep using my body as fully as I can

I have been active all my life and remained slim, and my mental health is good. It is just a way of life for me, l swam in the sea last week until it was almost dark, it makes me feel alive.

I love being fuckoff STRONG.

@swampytiggaa sorry for you loss

when I exercise I never think 'Well I wish I hadn't done that''.

I've certainly thought it in the middle of some yoga poses, though...

Just completed couch to 5k (last week) so very new to it but love it, I started, like a pp, as in the past two years lost FIL and my sister to cancer, my older sister is now battling cancer too. I just needed to move for my own sanity, my mental health feels better, I feel stronger and just proud that my body is capable of much more than I thought possible. Some runs are great, some are a battle but the battle days I feel so proud that I stuck it out and completed the run.

I am so much happier now I have my running family too so it’s fantastic for that. We like to go out and eat cake or drink alcohol as well as running. I am off to the theatre on Sunday with one friend. I have no idea what I used to do with my time before running 😂😂

@eleanorsos on a serious note I started running in my 40’s after losing a number of relatives including my father and brother very young to cancer. I knew that running wouldn’t prevent it but I wanted to be as fit as possible in case I needed treatment. I have 5 children I owe them that.

Fortunately I’m currently ok but lost a running friend last week to pancreatic cancer 😢 so it’s a reminder of what my original goal was and that it’s still an important one.

I started Pilates (on zoom) during the first lockdown hoping it would give me a flat stomach. Lockdown overeating meant that was never going to happen but I realised recently just how strong my core has got!

Pre pandemic I did Zumba weekly and couldn't balance at all during the cooldown/ stretching bit at the end. Now I can stand on one foot for ever! I'm so bizarrely proud of the achievement

Paddleboarding is great OP.
My dd is turning into a reserved teen and the time we spend out on the water together is precious to me.

My regular Pilates means I have the core strength to do this.

I'm feeling inspired to add cardio to my life, even if just in small doses.

Exercise releases feel good endorphins. There is also the social aspect if going to a class.

The best thing is to stop focusing on weight loss for a start. Also stop focusing on what you should be doing and do something that you enjoy. If you hate an activity, why put yourself through it? You won't stick to it in the long run.

I WFH and go to the gym 3 times a week as a way of making sure I get out of the house in the evenings. Everyone will tell you focusing on cardio is terrible etc, you should do XY and Z instead. But I enjoy it. I do an hour or so of cardio, I pop my headphones on and I am in my own little world. I don't enjoy other exercise and anytime I try to do something else, I never stick to it. It's better to do something 'less effective' than nothing at all!

I love running. I’m really slow but I’m very proud of all my medals 🏅 I started with parkrun it’s like a gateway drug 😂😂

I’ve made so many friends it’s amazing. Plus I have lost inches (not necessarily weight) and look loads better in my clothes 👍

For me it's cheesy, but since having the kids, I want to make sure I am there for them. I lost my Dad a couple of years ago and it really makes me determined to be as healthy as I can be so I am around, well and active for as much of my kids' lives as possible.

Also, do they still do parent races as sports day? I have the fear, when the time comes, of being the blancmange who comes last, or lets my children down with lame excuses as to why I can't do it, when the reality is I'd be too embarrassed.

I started exercising properly 18 months ago. I was menopausal and had gained weight, and was flabby and unfit.

I now run regularly as well as using the gym for cardio and weights, and yoga at home.

I’m fitter, stronger and more supple. Exercise is “my” time - I’m a busy single mum to teenagers, one of whom is disabled, and I work in a demanding job. It’s harder now my children are home for the summer but I make time for it - literally schedule it into my day.

I get immense satisfaction from seeing my body change. I’m now 2 stone lighter and whilst I’d like to lose a few more pounds I’m enjoying seeing my muscles develop, my clothes look and fit better, I’ve lost my bingo wings and bra fat.

Mentally I love the endorphins, I sleep better overall and feel calmer generally.

Practically I’m so much stronger. I can bring the sacks of water softener to salt into the house now, they’re 25 kg and I use to have to tip then into a bucket to bring them in in stages. I love to challenge myself in the gym and see the amount of weight I can lift, press or move increase.

I’m in healthcare and can tell which elderly patients of mine have been physical and active in their lives. Their bodies are so different, inside and out. Being sedentary and weak has a very significant effect on our bodies especially as they age. I don’t want that for myself.