What benefits to you find from exercise and how did you start?!

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I’m not really unfit but I don’t feel fit fit! I try and walk as much as I can and a few days a week I hit 10,000 steps but I don’t really do any other exercise.
In past I’ve done a bit of running and yoga but I’m struggling to find my motivation at the moment.
What benefits do you find from exercise & how do you motivate yourself to start with?

I don't class myself as one of life's natural exercisers, but I've been doing a variety of things now for years, and I actually now get a bit angsty if I've not done something in a while. I like variety, so do all sorts of things. I generally do one yoga class a week, one HIIT class a week, and see a PT fortnightly. Around those things...I walk with friends, or a quick 20-30 mins before work/over lunch (also use this time to catch up on podcasts), I'm currently training for a mini triathlon, so I cycle and jog (need to get some swimming in...), sometimes do workouts at home (I've had a Peloton digital subscription, but currently on a short break as am doing more stuff outdoors, have also used Fitness Blender, Apple Fitness, Joe Wicks).

Motivation - it really does set me up for the day, boosts my self esteem (except for running, as I'm rubbish at it, and beat myself up), keeps my mood even, gives me tonnes of energy, keeps my weight stable, good for my bone density and heart health. Ultimately, I've only got one body, and it deserves attention. It's a bit cheesy, but Peloton instructors helped me reframe exercise - instead of viewing it as a chore, another thing to fit in, bottom of the priorities, they suggested turning it around as an opportunity - instead of 'I have to exercise', try thinking 'I get to exercise today'. Seeing how difficult some movement is now for elderly parents/PILs is also a motivator to try to keep as active for as long as possible.

Gosh so many. I felt really low this morning (PMS) but after going out for a run I feel relaxed and focused. I have the energy to do cool activities with my kids. I get respect from my kids for how strong I am. I look in the mirror and like what I see.

I enjoy exercise of all sorts so the motivation one is easy for me. But if I don't feel like exercising for whatever reason I just think about how I'll feel afterwards.

I do a lot of exercise and it makes me feel strong, healthy and improves my confidence immeasurably

I never thought I could run a marathon, turns out I can

I never thought I could cycle 220km, turns out I can

I never though I could swim 3 miles, turns out I can

Exercise gives me total respect for my human body - I did all those things after aged 38.

I think a lot of people are looking for enjoyment in the moment, but it is never about that moment. I can categorically state that there is no actual enjoyment in the moment of riding up a 3 mile hill at an average gradient of 15%. It is a hell that is hard to describe. But you do it, you persevere, and then you feel strong, you feel amazed, you feel like you can deal with anything that life throws at you. Exercise is personal development in my life - what can I master next? It has nothing to do with weight loss - that diminishes everything it has to offer into a pathetic irrelevant nothingness

My motivation was my daughter, I had her when I was almost 40. I was walking home from playgroup with her one day when she was almost two and my belly was hanging over my size 16 jeans I’m only 4ft 11.

That was the deciding point, I decided to start the couch to 5k and went that night before I could change my mind.

That was nine years ago now, I still run at least twice a week usually on Wednesday with my friends and parkrun on Saturdays.

The benefits to me are getting out in the fresh air, seeing my friends and feeling ‘free’. I moved house five years ago and joined a local running club and made nearly all of my friends through running. It’s my social life now and if I don’t run I get grumpy. I’m so glad I made that decision 9 years ago.

I think you've just got to find yourself something you enjoy.
If you enjoy the exercise you will benefit hugely mood wise. I do a weekly Zumba class - absolutely love it! It doesn't feel like a chore at all and I come out of the class in a much uplifted mood. The temperament of the instructor is obviously the key really with this type of class.

I also tried an Adult beginners tap dance class and that was fun too.
I also find that booking an paying for a class is also a great motivator.
Look locally for a few classes and try a few until you find a favourite. Many independent class instructors will give you a trial session for free.

Honestly - not a lot of motivation but lots of discipline

I do two body pump classes, two HIIT classes, one or two runs and a pilates class each week, as well as walking the dog every day.

My biggest benefit is how it makes me feel mentally.

My mum is 72 & I have finally managed to get her in to my gym for the first time in her life & the change in her mental health is astounding. She is like a new woman.

Secondly I love how it makes me feel strong & good about my body (I’m no Victoria secrets model) I’m a healthy size 10 & don’t have abs of steel.

Good for my health :)

My motivation is being a fit & healthy mum & I actually get a bit of peace in the gym 😂I go first thing in the morning so it’s out of the way.

You definitely don’t need to go to the gym to keep fit either. YouTube has so many good exercise videos, walking, running, cycling & Netflix has recently added some workouts too. They’re really good!

My mum is 72 & I have finally managed to get her in to my gym for the first time in her life & the change in her mental health is astounding. She is like a new woman.

I love this, go you and your Mum!

@cheatingcrackers Thank you!💪❤

Unexpected benefits - I sleep better and my hair, skin and nails are in the best condition of my life (I'm almost 42).

I have arthritis and I walk 10,000 steps a day and 3 times a week I'll try and jog / run for 15 mins.

This means that I am maintaining a healthy weight (to help my arthritic joints) and keep moving.

When I don't move, I gain weight and I feel like a slug. I'm usually in pain and very very low mood (history of depression).

I also enjoying cycling and swimming but I've stopped monitoring my speed and distance on Strava as it made me push myself too far.

I eat whatever I want on weekends without consequence 😂 x

My legs don't ache. I have office job, drive to work, so it helps me increase my blood flow, prevent cloths which is very important to me.
I can climb up many many stairs and don't die. I actually remember my husband and I were going to some view point, it was 409 steps, I climbed up without any breaks while other people were out of breath, taking breaks etc. I had slightly higher heart rate, but didn't even sweat. And I don't do crazy cross fit, cardio or heavy lifting- just gentle cardio, pilates and light weights (3 kg each).
I can eat more and my body forgives me all these days when I overindulge.

I'm doing sweet FA at the moment but generally what motivates me is to be in the mindset of wanting to do it and then putting on the clothes to exercise in the morning. That way I make myself go so that I dont feel like I've let myself down.

I took up running back in March 2020 and it’s probably one of the best things I ever did. A couple of years back I wrote a list of Things Running Has Taught Me - copied below:

• I can do more than I think. There is so much potential within all of us, and this should bring us joy and motivation to find out how much we can prove to ourselves.

• Consistency is the foundation of progress - keep doing it, a bit at a time. Chip away and before you know it, you’ve carved a new image of yourself.

• It is not possible to maintain the negative inner monologue AND succeed at a physical and psychological challenge. Slowly, you begin to learn to encourage and comfort yourself when it’s hard (which is usually). The negative monologue is quiet for a time, and self-compassion can flourish.

• Regular physical challenges make you more honest. You can’t pretend to be faster than you are, or better. You are forced to see yourself as you are, with all your shortcomings and failings, and to work with yourself constructively to meet your goals. It’s easy to think things are a certain way; it’s much harder to confront the reality. Running makes me do this all the time.

• Action is worth more than thought or speech. Thinking and talking about running isn’t the same as doing it, and doing it is what makes you better. This applies to so many other areas of life too. Too much thinking and talking about doing (instead of actually doing) can lead to inertia, and fosters an under-appreciation of the power of action. Sometimes the thinking/talking acts almost as a substitute for the action itself - but it isn’t. Intentions are great but intentions alone aren’t enough. Will is so important.

• Joy can come from unexpected sources, even something painful and difficult like running. There is something simple and beautiful about it; it’s just you and the road. And it’s fun. It reminds me of being a child, when running was something I loved to do. As adults, we often intellectualise and technicalise these activities, which really just hark back to us being kids and finding them just fun!

• It’s OK to fail; actually, it’s good - a bad day for the ego is a good day for the soul. Failure and hardship teaches you more than success. Reaching the point where you cannot go on is instructive for your practice, but also for developing your self-compassion - it’s much harder to be gentle with yourself when you haven’t met a goal than when you have, and this is where those skills can really be exercised to the fullest. It also teaches you to keep going - and this is what makes all the difference.

• The race of life is long; sometimes you’re ahead, sometimes you’re behind. Comparing your journey to others can be inspiring and motivational, but recognise if it becomes self-critical or negative. If you’re tempted to compare yourself negatively to someone who is faster/stronger/better than you, remind yourself: that is their journey, but this is my own.

• It’s good to be average or even bad at something! Who says you have to be amazing at everything you do? Improvement is great but it’s not everything. Not everything we do has to be goal oriented or on a trajectory to ever increasing gains. Good enough is good enough.

I love your lessons @Biscuitlover456 - all so very true

However, I would say that I do value progress and mastery /and not just doing my best. Just yesterday I had a humiliating defeat in my new sport for 2023. I am still reeling from my poor performance and it has really got me motivated to get better. And I will do it. There is no way I will be beaten so badly again. It is not so much the defeat itself, it is that I know I can master some of the skills better than I can at the moment - obviously that will take some effort, but I will do it and I will get better....because I enjoy it when I get better at things. I'll never be a pro, but 'good for me' is what I aim for

I started exercising once a week and walking more after I had DD1 nearly 20 years ago. This was due to pnd. I increased my fitness as the kids got older as it was paramount to my mental health - that was the main reason. Oh and also because I'm a greedy pig and would be twice the size I am if I didn't exercise. I now exercise every day, even if it's just a half hour walk

I am very unfit. I have chronic health issues relating to an accident a long time ago- but also never had exercise or keeping fit in my background. My parents did not do any exereice or have any hobbies that were related to sports and so it was never on the radar at all. If we had a hobby it was sitting and reading together. All nice, but not active. So I thought of exercise as something other people did. Rarefied people who looked like Swedish supermodels. Not people like me.

I managed about 30 mins a day walk and that was it. I was a big believer in 'incidental exercise'- except I never did that either.

For the past year I have started going swimming twice a week- just 30 mins a time. I decided to just comit to it. I scheduled it. i did not allow myself to think about it (or I would make an excuse). I just did it.

4 weeks ago to this I have added a weekly legs bums and tums class. And two 30 minute stationary bike sessions. I fit this in either between school run drop off and work; or at lunch. Again I don't allow myself to think about it. It is scheduled. I do it. That is the extent of my mental involvement with it.

I am LOVING it. My back is already noticebly stronger (my back is my week point). I can pick up compost for the garden now wheras previously I would not have tried. I panicked earlier this week when I found a lump on my arm- then realised that actually it was my muscle. .

I feel more body confident and I am deciding that this is now a part of my lifel. Not to get obsessed with. But for 3 horus a week I do exericse that is purposeful. No argument. No discussion,. Just get on with it.

Could be a total gamechanger for me.

*weak point not week point.

I ve always done some sort of sport.. running, kayaking, cycling, i do wonder how i will manage when i can't... don't understand people who don't, if of course they can,, so many benefits.

@hamstersarse whatever gets you motivated and keeps you going! So long as you keep going, that’s all that matters - best of luck, am sure you’ll smash it :-)

@WiltingLobelia loving this, bravo!!! Great work!

I try and squeeze in a 30 min work out before work if I can (wfh most days). I really like The Body Project as they provide some free workouts on YouTube. I can then watch these on the tv in the living room. I tend to manage 3-4 per week although I'm trying to get to 5-6.
They are low impact which is better for my knees.
I have definitely felt more toned and generally stronger, as well as feeling good. I'm early forties now and figured if I don't get in shape now then it's only going to get harder!

By the time Lockdown hit my previously active life had sunk into a sedentary desk role, fuelled by trips to the cafe, and free time taken up with domestic and family tasks. I was 3 St overweight and unfit.

The first wave of Covid was my motivation on a health basis. That losing weight would lessen my risk and exercise and a healthy diet would support my immune system.

I started by walking and walking and walking. Long brisk walks. Stopped snacking, swapped to healthier eating and smaller portions.

I have kept this up, but now tend to do gym classes and swimming rather than lengthy walks through parks.

I feel so much better. I do not pick up infections and colds. I am stronger so get fewer aches and strains, my back doesn’t ache if I have to stand for ages. I have more energy, and sleep better.

I like the weight loss. For me (no opinions about others) it gives me a wider range of things I feel I can wear and look like the ‘look’ that suits me. I feel as if my body is as it should be for me.

As a result of all this I feel more relaxed, social and confident.

Go for it OP, do it your way to feel more like you, however that may be.

I run and I do yoga, and a bit of cross training.

The benefits for me are:

• I can eat more
• i have a waist (I didn’t)
• I get a year round tan on my legs
• i get more vitamin D
• my face is a better colour(otherwise I’m quite sallow)
• I can run for the bus
• i sleep better
• endorphin rush
• clears my head
• sense of achievement
• better cardiovascular health

I do the cross training and the yoga to strengthen my core etc to stop me getting injured when running.

Wow, well done.

I struggle to motivate myself to exercise and applaud anyone who loses that much weight and sticks with it. Good luck.

I love that @Biscuitlover456 and I do agree with you. Running makes me feel alive - in a way I just hadn’t since I was a kid.I get sudden blasts of “this is the point, living in my body is why I’m here”