Non-weight-loss benefits of exercise?

[quote eleanorsos]@BarbaraPapa Ahh that sounds so fun! Does it feel like a proper workout afterwards? I think I definitely need to take myself less seriously.....[/quote]
yes, definitely a proper workout! According to my fitbit, I burn about 550 calories per 45 min session, it gets my heart rate right up, but it doesn't ever feel like 'exercise' because it's fun. The gym recorded a session online for use over lockdown and my very fit SIL gave it a go - she wasn't expecting to be quite so knackered at the end! Obviously you can take it at whatever pace you like, but if you want to go for it, you really can. There are no mirrors in the studio.

Body Balance never feels like a workout at the time (and there's a 5 minute guided relaxation at the end), but the next day you feel the difference in your muscles if you've pushed yourself a bit.

I had some nasty medication side effects, 5 mins of physio ( in my case private) has helped solve it.
4 excercises max 5 mins a day.
I imagine at stupid times, how difficult it would if my muscles wasted by injury or illness, so I try to remind myself to make my muscles work.
Only 1 body and 1 life

Agree with the comments about thinking about movement rather than exercise. What physical activities would you like to try that would also offer exercise? Look you Tally Rye on Instagram who takes this approach to suggesting exercise to those currently inactive.

I went back to ballet after a 20 year break and absolutely love it. Alongside this I've added in yoga/pilates and now go to the gym too to build my strength and help manage back pain (from an office job!)

Personally, I look at my PILs and they are so inactive and unwell in their early 70s. My FIL can't walk without a stick and is already struggling to climb stairs. I refuse to let myself get like that and want to be an 80 year old doing yoga!

Being able to lift my toddler on to my shoulders on my own! Its probably only been the last 3 months where he is now too heavy for me to do it and he is 2.5. I would never have been able to do this pre pregnancy (never exercised).

I never actually saw much of an improvement in terms of size/ weight (unfortunately). But my goodness I felt so much more strong and capable. It became a habit working out 4-5 times a week. Now pregnant again, and have not been able to due to fatigue and sickness and I really miss it!

@lljkk yes to all those things, I love it. 100% agree with you on ending a day bone tired.

I swim which I love so much, in the first lockdown I actually would dream about swimming I missed it so much. I also do yoga which I've done regularly for years but did every day during lockdown.

Benefits:
I swim first thing in the morning and it means I'm bright eyed and bushy tailed for starting work.

I love that my body is strong and flexible and I have control over it. Yoga means I don't get back pain and it maintain flexibility in my joints (including things like movement in my finger joints, it's very good for arthritis apparently).

It's good for your mental health. Swimming and yoga both require concentration to improve technique which stops you thinking about other things.

I once saw a great quote: 'when I exercise I never think 'Well I wish I hadn't done that''. Which spinning excepted is how I feel. Starting an exercise routine is hard but you've got to keep in mind how you feel afterwards.

As someone in recent early retirement, and not on my feet all day, and bad eyes, due to glasses changing a fair bit, and feeling disoriented.
Feels odd…………and unhealthy, new glasses today, I live near local shops and just want to be out more.the benefits of just a walk are good.
As is eating well

I do Zumba a dance-based cardio exercise three times a week, and I absolutely love the feeling of moving to music, with a bunch of other people. Sometimes, when things are going well, it's almost like being in Pan's People. When it's not going so well, it's more like an amdram production of West Side Story, but still fun. Learning the sequences and letting muscle memory take over feels like it's good for my middle-aged brain too.

I also do Body Balance twice a week, which is like yoga/Pilates but to music. I feel completely stretched out and Zen afterwards, as if I've been made aware of all the muscles in my body, one by one, and appreciated what they can do, instead of feeling resentful about my legs not being longer and thinner. In practical terms, my balance has improved dramatically, as well as my general flexibility.

Outside the gym, I also walk the dogs every day and just seeing the seasons change and feeling the difference in the air has a subtle 'all things will pass' benefit to my mood!

I was brought up active and remained active throughout my life. Now in mid-40s, I’m active every day. Mental health and stress relief is a big one. The body confidence is nice, so are toned, lean muscles. I also enjoy it, it’s social and fun for me. I like the hard work, the feeling of challenging myself. Can’t wait to play sports with my son when he’s older.

My parents have also been very active throughout their life and have a very active retirement. Zero health problems, both normal weight, always trying new sports, they can run after their grandkids with ease, and they move like people two decades younger than they are. Amazing quality of life at their age.

oh... and anti-insomnia therapy I'll try to shut up now.

Getting and remaining fit will kind of future proofing yourself...

It's medically proven that people who do regular physical activity have:
• up to a 35% lower risk of coronary heart disease and stroke
• up to a 50% lower risk of type 2 diabetes
• up to a 50% lower risk of colon cancerr_
• up to a 20% lower risk of breast cancerr_
• a 30% lower risk of early death
• up to an 83% lower risk of osteoarthritiss_
• up to a 68% lower risk of hip fracturee_
• a 30% lower risk of fallss_ (among older adults)
• up to a 30% lower risk of depression
• up to a 30% lower risk of dementia

Source: www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/exercise-health-benefits/

I've also been loving this Gabby Logan podcast, Midpoint. She interviews celebs about mid life and then has a health expert on to talk about what type of care and exercise we need to do at that point in our lives.

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-mid-point-with-gabby-logan/id1527545442?i=1000530225282

forgot this one.... endorphin highs.

better mental health
fresh air
sunshine, vitamin D
new places
cardiovascular fitness
hoping my bones benefit
reduce risk of many chronic diseases
me time
sense of achievement (climbing hills)
sense of perspective (mountains)
non-flabby arms (swimming)
chit chat (at swimming pool)
see new places that are local to me (kayaking, off road cycling)
"fun" (ball sports with others, relishing the challenge -- I'm quite crap, so any improvement is amazing)
sense of capability, fine to take risks
things I can do with my kids esp. teenagers (walks, swim, rides, kayak)
kids like me to show off (skating)
something to talk to others about (shared interest)
not afraid of falls (I do them all the time...)
good energy levels
meeting people (walking up mountains)
nice pictures of great remote places I get to post on facebook
being hungry means I get to enjoy food more, get to try more foods
gadgets & tech (fitness tracker, Garmin, Strava etc)

I quite don't like visiting somewhere & being 'passive' in the landscape. A bus trip to just go "look at" somewhere pretty is my idea of all wrong way to get there & be there. I want to smell, touch, breathe hard. A more immersive experience. My job is sedentary, so my idea of a holiday is to be as active as possible. A day ended bone-tired is a fantastic day.

I really notice the difference on days I don't do yoga, compared with those I do. I also swim a lot, which can be quite meditative.

I'm a lot more toned than I was. My BP is back in normal ranges, though I think changing managers at work had more to do with things there. It gets me out of the house, which, since I don't go into the office any more, is totally necessary. My waistbands are a lot looser, which makes moving around and sitting around more comfortable.

It helps me mentally and I like the sense of achievement. It's also nice being to walk up hills without any effort and my cellulite has improved. I haven't lost any weight though. I also think of how much better my heart and lungs are now and that spurs me on with Covid around. I think I'd fare much better now than two years ago, that's if I haven't already had it. Type 2 diabetes is rife in my family, as is cardiovascular disease, so it is also taking a proactive step at reducing my risk for either of those.

Mostly running for me.
I’m fitter than I’ve ever been in my whole life. I’m probably a stone heavier than at my thinnest, but I feel stronger and much better about my body. I know my legs can carry me round without getting tired and I’m not out of breath running up stairs
My mental heath is much better, when anxiety is high, an hour out running gives me time to go through all the crazy thoughts and give myself a good talking to
Socially it’s been a game changer, runners are the best people.

I do love Yoga and if I’m consistent, my posture is better and my back doesn’t ache so much. It’s also a good way to pause my mind.

Lowering of stress hormones, reduced inflammation

Improves insulin response

Lowering of blood pressure

Increased bone density

Improved cardiovascular system

Improved mental health

Increases muscle tone and balance skills

Erm, is occasionally enjoyable

I do Crossfit and powerlifting/ olympic lifting

• Gives me a routine and somewhere that is just mine
• Continual improvement gives sense of achievement- amazing how a new trick is life affirming.
• Bone density
• Can show off/ win bets doing pull ups when drunk at dinner parties

Benefits of running:

1. Catching/keeping up with the children if they leg it.

1. Peace/silence when out for a run - time for me. Some people like podcasts but at the moment I like time with no voices. Running with a club is good too - time with other adults!

Benefits of strength work:

1. Carrying children when they refuse to move/are tired.

1. Less back ache

1. Evening out imbalances from child wrangling to reduce future pain.

Yoga is good for flexibility/state of mind.

I also love a "competitive/tactical" sport (eg tennis (or other racquet sports) or in my case fencing) as the tactical thinking part of things is good for clearing the mind of other stuff - running is too easy to think while running!