what are your main reasons for doing it? Why do you exercise?

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When you do exercise what are your main reasons for doing it? Why do you exercise?

• Every day I do something. Hotpod Yoga at least 3 times a week and Bootcamp type exercises at home based on a Bootcamp I used to attend (that no longer runs).

• Walks with other people and weekends with groups away are great.

• I do it all as it makes me feel fitter, stronger and more confident than ever before.

• I exercise mostly in lunch breaks, but do also exercise three evenings a week. Exercise makes me feel good.It makes me feel healthy and happy. Depending on the type of exercise, it can help me forget about all the stresses I may be having at the time. On the other hand if I’m out running, it allows me time to reflect on what I am doing at the time. I often find answers to work-related problems whilst out running. 

• I actually enjoy the classes – Body Pump, Step, Zumba, etc.

• If I feel I need to tone up and it makes me feel good.

• When I’ve set a goal such as a 10k race and then need to train.

• To keep active, to maintain healthy weight, to get fresh air. As I get older I am very much aware of how important it is to keep supple and flexible, and practise yoga regularly with a personal yoga teacher who makes the work fun and jolly hard!

• Walking is my main method of exercise and I do this to take the dogs out. 

• To keep in shape, to feel healthy, to look good, enjoy the challenge, knowing it’s good for you, meeting different people.

Why do you exercise

What do you enjoy about doing exercise/ activities? 

• The large number of new friends I have made in the last year since being more active. I feel fitter, stronger and more confident than ever before. Having gained this through the physical activity and this new support network has enabled me to resolve my self-esteem issues to such an extent that the life challenges I now face e.g. a recent romantic ‘failure’, means I am able to deal with this is in a very pragmatic and much stronger manner.

• I love the way it makes me feel. Like I said before, depending on the type of exercise it can give me time out to reflect on things but on the other hand it can also help block things out and gives me something to focus on.

• I like the social side that comes with it too; with all my exercise I am part of a group. This helps encourage you to continue the exercise but you also get to meet people with similar interests as you.

• That once the class starts I know I will see it through – I wouldn’t walk out early.

• I know I am terribly unfit – I don’t like that feeling, if I attend a class the challenge getting through it and the feeling of improving class on class is a great sense of achievement... i.e. after a few classes I can raise the step to the higher level or cope with greater weights etc.

• The ‘Me’ time it gives me.

• I can think more clearly, it clears my head. It makes me feel happy.

• Psychologically, it makes me feel better physically and mentally. Not being one to sit in front of a screen, I much prefer, and enjoy, being outdoors.

• Seeing the wildlife; birds, plants/ flowers opening up etc. etc.

• The feel-good factor, looking good, challenging myself and achieving goals.