Why do I exercise even though I don’t need to lose weight?
Wednesday, 19 September 2012 
4 Comments
Last Saturday as I was running, two little girls (5ish and 8ish) saw me and the younger said:”Why is she running??”
The older one replied: “She’s trying to lose weight, that’s why!”
…
In the next few days that followed I have had two people tell me that they don’t understand why I exercise because I don’t have to lose weight.
…
I’m so confused right now – Haven’t we just had the Olympics? Haven’t we all just been shouting how great sport is?
Or… did everyone just think that the athletes are doing it just to lose weight?
What about the concept of ENJOYING sport? What about the idea that people other than professional athletes can LOVE to exercise?
The situation is beyond sad. I read on Spikes&Heels yesterday that 80% of women in the UK do not do the minimum recommended exercise every week. That means not walking at a decent pace for at least for 30 minutes a day on 5 days a week. That is really not that much to ask for…
How do we get the message through to women?
The message that being fit feels great.
The message that exercise is not about short-term weight loss.
The message that exercise can be anything that is FUN for YOU, whatever it may be.
The message that being physically active not only makes you look better but it does also make you feel better, makes you feel in control of your body and your life, makes you to enjoy life!
How do we get the message through?
I don’t think I know.
I know that no one can make anyone else choose a healthy lifestyle, it has to come from within… but is it at all possible to encourage people to somehow find it within? Is the change in women’s mentality in regards to sport already shifting a little? Or maybe not enough? Is it a lost battle? Will women always just want to be superficially thin and not fit?
Any ideas?
Anyone??
Although I’m not a runner I know that exercising makes me feel good, gives more energy to do different things. But I suppose it’s really hard to convince ‘non-exercisers’… unless they try it themselves.
I like how I feel after exercising but I can’t say that I enjoy exercising …shame you can’t do it for me!
You don’t enjoy the freedom and the silence when running??
Ma arvan, et sulle see artikel meeldiks (kuigi ma ise ei jaksanud seda lõpuni lugeda :)
http://www.ekspress.ee/news/areen/uudised/inimene-on-jooksuloom.d?id=64988712