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Exercise

Chat to other fitness enthusiasts on our Exercise forum.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

If you don't like exercise, why not?

239 replies

akaemmafrost · 21/05/2012 16:39

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.

OP posts:
motherinferior · 22/05/2012 21:09

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.

rhondajean · 22/05/2012 23:01

Im studying an nlp practitioner course.

One of the first things it teaches you is, you can either have results, or reasons not to...

rhondajean · 22/05/2012 23:04

And why you 'ought' to exercise - because our bodies are not designed for the sedentary life style that most of us have these days. It hurts us whether we realise it or not.

You dont HAVE to do it, but it doesnt change the fact that our bodies are designed/evolved to do all those things people dont like above - hurt, sweat, and move an awful lot.

StarlightMcKenzie · 22/05/2012 23:04

Motherinferior, an organised or uncluttered home is also good for tackling depression. As is diet. I 'could' use that time exercising of course bu have found it makes me grumpy and feel bloody awful about myself whilst white space on the floor makes me feel calmer.

rhondajean · 22/05/2012 23:07

hmm didnt realise that cos I was at gym tonight I should have made a mess in the house...or come in and cooked tuna and couscous...

THATS A JOKE before anyone jumps down my throat.

hmc · 22/05/2012 23:18

I have to exercise (most days) because I like my food and would struggle with my weight otherwise...so since I have to exercise I have convinced myself I enjoy it!

SwedishEdith · 22/05/2012 23:25

Why is citing research "pouncing" on it? Why not read it instead? It was in response to CurrySpice who said "And you slim people do know that slim doesn't automatically mean healthy don't you?" - "You exercising people do know that exercising doesn't automatically mean healthy don't you?"

It hasn't influenced whether I exercise or not as I already found it boring. Someone did mention that they do it for vanity - now that I can understand.

CurrySpice · 22/05/2012 23:33

Swedish, I never said it did. But it increases the chances of being healthy. Just like being slim does

Ok, rather than saying you "pounced" on that reaserch, I'll phrase it differently. Why did you chose that bit of research to quote? Because it backs up your choices. Fair enough I suppose

hmc · 22/05/2012 23:35

It does indeed increase your chances of being healthy - I had a BUPA health assessment recently and they were practically awed by my cholesterol levels, cardiac risk factors and lung health etc

hmc · 22/05/2012 23:36

I need a smug emoticon to add to that post

Original poster
akaemmafrost · 22/05/2012 23:39

rhondajean very much agree with your post of 23.04. That's how I feel about exercise. I like to feel fit and strong and my body is designed to be that way.

Also the depression thing is very true for me as well. I get very restless and then my mood slips if I don't exercise strenuously and regularly. I suppose my brain is addicted to the endorphins.

OP posts:
realhousewifeofdevoncounty · 22/05/2012 23:39

I am the same as swatch. I actually now enjoy exercising/keeping fit (mostly running), but fit put off by "team sports" at school where I was just made to feel like a numpty all the time. There was no sense of achievement like I get now when I reach a pb etc

realhousewifeofdevoncounty · 22/05/2012 23:40

And yy I have suffered with depression and find that exercise really helps.

PorkyandBess · 22/05/2012 23:40

I did barely any exercise for years, from when I left school until after I had my 1st baby.

When I realised post nataly, that despite losing the weight, I looked a bit doughy, I joined a gym.

That was 13 years ago, and I have kept it up ever since. I can't imagine my life without it now.

I love to work up a sweat; the more the better. I went to a really tough spinning class today. By the end the studio floor was covered in sweaty puddles.

hmc · 22/05/2012 23:41

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

SwedishEdith · 22/05/2012 23:41

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

CurrySpice · 23/05/2012 00:09

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

SwedishEdith · 23/05/2012 00:23

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.

CurrySpice · 23/05/2012 00:48

Hey, I thought I was the smug one here!

OrmIrian · 23/05/2012 11:06

"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.

OrmIrian · 23/05/2012 11:07

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

Original poster
akaemmafrost · 23/05/2012 11:10

I had an op earlier this year and couldn't run for 6 weeks. The man I was seeing at the time told me that the difference in me and my way of interacting was startling within a matter of a couple of weeks. I was down and stressed and just felt really low. It's not till you start again that you realise the difference.

OP posts:
realhousewifeofdevoncounty · 23/05/2012 11:26

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

CelticPromise · 23/05/2012 17:40

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.

PingPongPunani · 23/05/2012 22:11

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