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I don’t understand ‘Exercise is good for mental health’

I was talking to a friend for the first time in a while and she said ‘I know I feel really good after a run so I should really do it more’ (she was going through a really hard time).

I even remember from my physical education teacher in high school telling me that there’s scientific proof that exercise is good for your mental health, and your blood flowing and all that jazz is good for you.

However, I personally can’t recall a single time that I felt better (mentally) after exercising, and I’m not sure if that’s just because I’m overweight (and therefore exercise is more(?) strenuous) or because my poor mental health can’t hope to be fixed with a simple workout.

The true irony is that I actually used to be involved in competitive sports and was also an instructor/teacher for a sport throughout high school. I wasn’t so competitive that it ruined my love for physical activities, so I doubt it’s the competition or the work ethic that tired me out.

Every time I exercise (at both 120 and 260 lbs), I just remember feeling tired, wanting to go home, I felt like crap because I was sweaty and gross, and I was only forcing myself to move. I did a 10k steps/day challenge about a year ago (the post is on my profile somewhere) and now I just feel a bit burnt out. (I know I probably pushed myself a bit too much at that weight and that’s why I’m burned out but it doesn’t change the fact that exercise has never made me feel good).

Just wondering if others have had similar experiences, or how you got yourself out of that rut, or even really basic ways to move your body and enjoy that experience. I really wish I could work out daily and find SOME enjoyment without actually wanting to give up on life or wanting to never do it again. :(

submitted by /u/kmrbuky
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from loseit - Lose the Fat https://www.reddit.com/r/loseit/comments/1csed0a/i_dont_understand_exercise_is_good_for_mental/

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