Why I Exercise
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The more I exercise, the more I realize that exercise won’t make me skinnier.
It’s true.
I’ve been weightlifting, and running consistently for 6 years (and going yoga even longer). Sometimes I push myself hard to make improvements and then sometimes I take time off from working out all together. My fitness levels may fluctuate with my workout patterns, but my weight never does.
When I train for endurance then my running improves. When I train for strength then my weightlifting improves.
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But I can’t train for slim in the gym. Slim training starts in the kitchen.
Aside from a 20lb weight loss after initially joining the gym, now my weight doesn’t fluctuate by much at all. When it does, it’s entirely based on my eating patterns. If I eat crappy foods I feel crappy and look crappy. I can’t exercise it away.
I truly believe that you can’t exercise away a bad diet.
So, why bother right?
Well, I do it because I love it. It keeps me challenging myself. I get more excited about improvements in my running speed or my bench press than I do about improvements on the bathroom scale.
It’s a hobby that keeps me strong and healthy. Without exercise my energy levels wouldn’t be as high as they are, my resting heart rate wouldn’t be under 50bpm, and I wouldn’t be able to squat 200lbs.
I’m proud of my level of fitness regardless of my level of slimness.
P.S. If you liked my Rosemary Sea Salt Bikini Bar Recipe guest posted on the Making Love in the Kitchen blog, then vote for my recipe at this link as your favourite summer recipe!
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I love this post.
I exercise so I feel healthy and energetic. I love to exercise in the morning so I can wake-up my body and be outside and feel the sun and fresh air.
I love to exercise because when I’m done, I feel accomplished and happy.
Awesome. It’s so easy to get caught up in how our body is changing in terms of *size* when we exercise, but we often forget to measure how it is changing us in ways we can’t see – but that we can feel. In our muscles, in our minds, in our hearts. Amen!
I just voted for you
I was thinking about exercising and why I do it yesterday with a friend. We were on a 1,5 hr power walk and I realised that before I exercised (randomly) because everyone else did, then I quit all exercise and started again when I found yoga. Now I could not live without my walks and yoga, they make me happy and are my own personal project
Bravo! I find that I don’t resent going to the gym as much if I look at it as “making myself strong.” I also firmly believe that it’s important to exercise to set a good example for my girls.
this is great. exercise isn’t about the weight, it’s about doing good things for your body. the more i exercise the more i realize the good it’s doing me: my flexibility, my stamina, my energy. You know, a year and a 1/2 ago I couldn’t touch my toes! I was so stiff. Now I’m wrapping my finger underneath my foot.
Exercise is about being healthy not thin. I personally do it to try to live as long as possible. Gotta keep that heart pumpin to live a long life.
It is SO true. This is exactly what I needed to hear today.
I agree with you. I have worked out regularly for years but I’ve always looked mostly the same. It’s just where my body is happy!
Yeppers. Have noticed the same myself. I am not aiming to lose weight but recently gave up all activity I hated which resulted in me being more active with what I love- but the only thing that affects numbers of on a scale is what I eat. Though as my boyfriend says “Scales are for fish”. I concur.
Great post! I saw you on Kenzie’s blog the other day. Slowly making the rounds thanking everyone for voting for my Bigstridea. Thank you Sam!
Hoping I’m out of my funk now too and will start coming around like I use to as well!
Yes, staying slim (or getting slim) is all about what you eat. To me, exercise is just icing on the cake: it can firm you up and makes you feel good about yourself.
Great post! I definitely need to think a bit more like you