If you don't like exercise, why not?

[akaemmafrost]

I run or swim most days. Whenever I mention that have done this I nearly always get the same responses:-

Oh you are good.
God, I couldn't be bothered with that.
I hate exercise!

Seriously, it made me wonder why do people see it as such an evil difficult thing?

So just being nosy really.

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.

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".

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

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

designed to run

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.

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!

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 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

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

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

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.

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 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.