Why I Exercise (Even if I Hate It)
Note from a fellow bariatric patient…
I know I’m not alone in feeling this way: I just don’t like exercise.
Like many bariatric patients, I never participated in sports and disliked physical education in school. The activities I truly enjoy—reading, watching a good show, or having coffee with a friend—aren’t physical. Even after years of working out regularly, I still have to talk myself into it some days.
So, how do I motivate myself? I exercise for four reasons:
1. Physical activity helps me lose weight and, more importantly, maintain my weight loss. It also improves my cardiovascular health and strengthens my muscles and bones, which becomes more important as I get older.
2. I feel better. Not only does exercise help me relieve stress and improve my mood, I feel so accomplished when I’m done.
3. I sleep better. I tend to struggle with insomnia and have discovered that if I exercise for at least an hour a day, I sleep much better.
4. I want to live longer and make a difference in this world. Regular exercise helps reduce my risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes—all of which run in my family.
Most importantly, taking the time to exercise means prioritizing myself—something I often forget to do. When I exercise, I’m making a statement that I’m worthy of good health. That’s a big deal.
Are you worth the time and energy that it takes to exercise today? If so, I encourage you to set a timer for five minutes and step out your front door. Walk, even if it’s only five minutes, and then turn around and come home. I promise you will feel fantastic. Give it a try.
Sincerely,
—Your bariatric friend and reluctant exerciser
I know I’m not alone in feeling this way: I just don’t like exercise.
Like many bariatric patients, I never participated in sports and disliked physical education in school. The activities I truly enjoy—reading, watching a good show, or having coffee with a friend—aren’t physical. Even after years of working out regularly, I still have to talk myself into it some days.
So, how do I motivate myself? I exercise for four reasons:
1. Physical activity helps me lose weight and, more importantly, maintain my weight loss. It also improves my cardiovascular health and strengthens my muscles and bones, which becomes more important as I get older.
2. I feel better. Not only does exercise help me relieve stress and improve my mood, I feel so accomplished when I’m done.
3. I sleep better. I tend to struggle with insomnia and have discovered that if I exercise for at least an hour a day, I sleep much better.
4. I want to live longer and make a difference in this world. Regular exercise helps reduce my risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes—all of which run in my family.
Most importantly, taking the time to exercise means prioritizing myself—something I often forget to do. When I exercise, I’m making a statement that I’m worthy of good health. That’s a big deal.
Are you worth the time and energy that it takes to exercise today? If so, I encourage you to set a timer for five minutes and step out your front door. Walk, even if it’s only five minutes, and then turn around and come home. I promise you will feel fantastic. Give it a try.
Sincerely,
—Your bariatric friend and reluctant exerciser
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