Often, when I tell people I get up most days before 5:00 to exercise they look at me and ask, "Are you crazy?" I just smile and think to myself, no I am not crazy, but I would be if I didn't get to exercise regularly.
It's pretty obvious what exercise does for a person physically--less body fat, firmed middle, toned legs, defined arms. Looking better is definitely a motivator, but I contend that exercise is just as important--if not more so--for mental health.
I am not exaggerating when I claim that at my lowest moments it was exercise that changed things. Alone in California years ago I had some days when loneliness and the distance from family weighed heavy on my heart and I was down. What helped me most was tying up my running shoes and hitting the road. It didn't take long for my mood to brighten and my outlook to improve.
More recently, when we were going through the nightmare with my sister and her new life as an amputee the ONLY time I felt like life might ever be normal again was when I was in the water swimming lap after lap or riding hard in a cycling class. Pushing myself that way allowed a brief escape from the emotion, pain, and fear that we all were experiencing. Working out was not only a distraction, but I felt better able to cope with all the stuff life was throwing at us.
And even more recently--today. I was forced to deal with some heavy, emotional personal stuff on little sleep. I knew I needed to exercise if there was any way I was going to be able to handle it. So I headed to the Y and worked up a great sweat and the day improved significantly.
Call me crazy, but I wouldn't want to face my day without a chance to exercise!
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