Non-weight-loss benefits of exercise?

[eleanorsos]

After having a baby 8 months ago, I am overweight and do need to lose some but that's not why I'm here.

I really want to get back into exercising regularly and keep to it, I've been doing the very occasional swim or run but not nearly regularly enough. Whenever I focus on weight loss I find it even harder to stick to - I can get a bit too obsessive and then if my diet falters I get all demotivated and give up on exercise too. So I think I need to look at exercise in a different way this time.

Can you tell me how exercising has improved your life in a way that isn't linked to your weight or body size/shape? If physical, more like being able to run for a bus than being able to fit into skinny jeans!

Running was really really good for my mental health when I was in a bad place, it was like quiet time for my brain

Ballet was just something I fancied doing and it happened to be an enjoyable activity that was exercise

Cycling has always been part of my life, it's a fast and cheap means of transport and it's useful! I can have the DC join me and we don't have a car so it's how we can get about and get stuff done, our cargo bike is incredibly useful and even with a motor it's still work.

Avoiding sarcopenia as you get older.

The reason people can't get back to the size they were when they were younger is muscle density peaks and then declines. Exercise preserves it.

Strength! Feeling strong feels good

Think of it as movement not exercise and try to add it in throughout the day.

I'm a far better shape than I was years ago, even tho I've now put weight back on.

I do it as much for my mind as my body. If I don’t exercise for a few days I feel less focussed, more irritable and more tired.

I’m not that fit, or that strong, or that fast (in fact I’m very slow), but I appreciate my body in a way I never used to - I feel like we’re more of a team now!

In in my mid 40's and only in the last couple of years took up regular exercise after a long break after dc.
It gives my body strength, meant I was able to start to learn to ski when dc asked me to and paddleboard with them.
I have confidence in body to do what I ask of it.

I enjoy exercise as part of an overall healthy lifestyle. And strength and general fitness, as others have said.

I went down to 2-3 times a week during lockdown, but have increased to almost daily exercise. Pilates at home, yoga classes, and, most recently, ballet classes (fun to get back into as an adult).

My mental health is massively improved since I began exercising regularly. It's time for me which allows my brain to get rid of clutter which would otherwise stick. I cycle for a few hours at a time sometimes as an intensity which means that the only thing a I can't about is traffic and breathing properly. A good detox for the brain.

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!

This is exactly the sort of stuff I'm after, thank you! Keep it coming....

@paddlingon That's so true about having confidence in your body - I think for the first time in my life I don't always have that and I need to get it back!! Paddleboarding sounds fun!

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

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

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.

@Insert1x20p You've got me sold there, I do love showing off!!

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.

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.

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.

forgot this one.... endorphin highs.

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

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

@Redcrayons Did you just join a local running club? Sounds a bit scary but I wonder if it might help me stick to it! My main worry is I'd be about a mile behind!

I've just taken a punt and signed up to Parkrun.....

@ljkk experiencing new places is such a good one. I often fall into a rut of the same places and routines but such a good excuse to get out and see somewhere new!

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.

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!

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