As someone who doesn’t have a single athletic bone in their body, I’ve always hated exercising. And I can trace this hatred for exercise back to elementary and middle school, to my first experiences with the dreaded gym class.
Throughout my school years, I was out of breath finishing the mandatory mile race, and was almost always picked last for teams when we played sports. It really affected my mental health, my opinion of myself, and my relationship with exercise and athletics well into adulthood. Even now, in my mid-30s, I often avoid events that include physical activities – or sit aside – because all I can think about is, “I’m just going to embarrass me if I try!”
So, it’s weird that now I’m the one talking about exercise. And I know you might hate listening to people talk about exercise, but hear me out!
I recently started an exercise routine for the first time in years – thanks to the inspiration of making sure I fit into my wedding dress this fall. And I realized that exercise is not a one-size-fits-all situation. Maybe for you, you like to play in a softball or volleyball league or take a kickboxing class with your friends. It will never be me – and that’s okay. There are so many different ways to exercise and be healthy.
What’s really important is that you spend time moving every day. Try different forms of exercise to find what you enjoy doing. For me, I’ve found that I enjoy using ellipticals, stationary bikes and weight machines at the gym – often closing my eyes while listening to an audiobook or playing music on my headphones to act as if the rest of the world had disappeared.
THE Centers for Disaster Control and Prevention recommends adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week, plus two days of muscle-strengthening activity. This has a few benefits, such as reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and several common cancers, and overall increasing your life expectancy.
One immediate change I’ve noticed since I started exercising regularly is that it has improved my mental health. Sometimes just taking a break to walk around the block or dance around the house when I’m feeling overwhelmed can noticeably reduce my stress. More so, after an hour-long workout, I come home feeling like the weight of my daily anxiety has been lifted off my shoulders. I have more energy, less tension and I just feel happier overall.
This is because, according to Mayo Clinic, when I exercise, I release endorphins, or feel-good hormones, which trigger feelings of euphoria and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Exercise also serves to distract you from negative thoughts, boosts your self-confidence, improves your focus and motivation, and helps you sleep better at night.
For those of you just starting out on your exercise journey — especially if you hate exercise as much as I do — start slow, set yourself a schedule, and set achievable goals.
For me, I go to the gym for an hour after work every other day, then walk outside for 30 minutes to an hour on my lunch break on the opposite days. I keep track of my training days in my diary to keep myself accountable. I also told my fiancé about my goals, so he’ll call me if I decide to lie on the couch instead of exercising. And, if I miss a day, I don’t blame myself because I know that sometimes life gets in the way. Instead, I consider it a day off – and I’m heading back there tomorrow.
It takes time, but if you stick to your schedule, exercising will become a habit – a habit rather than a chore. That’s what happened to me, and now I can finally say something I never thought I’d say before: that I don’t hate exercising anymore. In fact, I can confidently say that now I really like him.
The opinions expressed in this blog belong solely to the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or beliefs of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan or its subsidiaries and affiliates.
Find more mental health news and information from A Healthier Michigan here.
Photo credit: Courtesy of Monica Drake
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