From Dread to Delight: How I Learned to Love Exercise and Embrace a Healthier Lifestyle

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(Edited)


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First of all, I want to thank the ecency community and also @mypathtofire for engaging us with the lovely topic “GET PHYSICAL.” It is indeed a nice topic to talk about.

For me, getting physical is all about exercising, keeping yourself fit, and optimizing your health. But so far, so good, this is one area the majority of people don’t pay attention to and it sounds strange.

I have friends and loved ones who dread exercises or workouts, hiding under the excuse of “I don’t have time” yet. Their health is in great danger.

I was once like that, but I’m happy that my mentality has changed, and though I’m not perfect at it, I’ve fallen in love with exercises, and I believe that anyone can too after hearing me out.

For years, I dreaded the idea of exercise. I felt at that time that exercise is for fat people–for people that want to lose some pounds, and I’m the opposite of that.

I’m slim, not fat. So I thought it wasn’t necessary. But most importantly, the mere thought of feeling exhausted and pushing my body beyond its limit seemed daunting.

But then, something shifted, and I learned to love exercise and embrace a healthier lifestyle. Here’s how it all happened.

First of all, exercise does not have to be monotonous and very tedious. This realization changed everything for me. I used to think it has to be weight-lifting or nothing at all, but finding exercises I enjoy was key.

Even though I love weight-lifting, I love flutter kicks more. I love crunchies more. It was much easier to do them, and because of that; I find myself getting addicted to them.

So the first step was to find an exercise that I love doing and I did found it.

During this period, I stumbled upon Robin Sharma's book, “5 am Club.” In his book, he stressed the importance of sweating while doing exercise, and that’s all that matters.

The reason why sweating is so important is that it decreases cortisol, the hormone responsible for stress and fear.

Sweating during exercise can cause the release of BDNF, which is a protein that helps to promote the growth and survival of brain cells.

BDNF can also help to create new neural pathways in the brain, which can improve cognitive function and enhance learning and memory.

So, I timed myself for 15 minutes and make sure that I go all out. In 15 minutes' time, I’m already sweating like hell, and I’m done for the day. What I learned is that you don’t have to spend 1-hour doing exercises. Most especially when starting at the beginning.

15 to 20 minutes of quality exercise is very much okay.

As I begin to be more consistent with my workouts, I noticed changes not only in my fitness levels but in my mindset as well. Each workout gives me a sense of accomplishment, which sets me up for the day.

I felt more energized, more confident, and more at peace with myself. My breathing changed, and I felt light.

Now exercise has become a staple in my daily routine. It’s not something I dread, but something I look forward to. I’ve even started to challenge myself to try new and more difficult workouts, knowing that the feeling of accomplishment and progress is worth the temporary discomfort.

If you’re someone who’s struggling to love exercise, my advice for you is to take it slow and be patient with yourself. Find a workout that you enjoy, and don’t be afraid to mix things up.

Consistency is key, but don’t beat yourself up if you miss a day or two. Most importantly, remember that exercise is not a punishment, but a gift to yourself. Embrace it, and your body and mind will thank you.

Thanks for reading, guys. Let’s take our health to a whole new level.



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2 comments
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Thanks for your entry in edtopic. I couldn't make out if you were explaining about your own fitness routine or giving some fitness advice?

I would advise next time to write something more personal and in your own words so that we can get to know you better.

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Okay, noted @mypathtofire ... It was kind of an inspiration, and my path towards exercising..How I started and what others can learn from it. Thanks for your advise..

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