I walk my little dog twice a day for a minimum of half hour each time - so an hour of walking at least every day. It makes me feel better - and my dog loves it and insists on it now. I started in July when he had finished his vaccinations - and short of a major storm we haven't missed a beat.

Debbie

I wasn't even going to read this topic because the title scared me so bad! Then, I read the first line, exercise is a drug. Well I am totally against drugs so good thing I don't exercise, right?
BUT reading all these post, the guilt set in big time! I have to say I am very impressed with all of the people here who consider exercise to be a necessary part of their day. Kudos to all of you!
I know exercising would make me better in many ways. I just find it hard to get motivated. I have other excuses too, but I know it mostly boils down to being lazy.
As always, great topic from Truhal!

Before my husband died I was going to the gym and working out for at least an hour. I came home so energised it lasted all day. When he died I just couldn't muster up the energy or interest, I really need to as I have gained weight since and it isn't working for me. I need motivation..where can I find that?

Great topic!! Iknow I need to get with it. ..keep trying, but failing miserably to keep motivation. Started curvess---quit. I know if I don't get up and move I will loose the power to do so. So-----i will try again. Thanks for the post. Hugs, Darlene

I also believe that any form of exercise helps. I personally try to get out with my two dogs on a somewhat regular basis to walk them and I also attend a Yoga class twice a week. This past Spring I also added deep water aerobics and really enjoyed it and meeting new people but soon realized that with all of the household projects I had lined up for myself needed to scale back on something and sadly dropped the water aerobics. However with the walking and yoga feel I am benefiting from both. After an evening of Yoga I usually sleep really well. Deb

I had joined a gym a few months before Jack died. I can't say I've lost any weight BUT I can say the day after working out I feel much better. I've noticed this several times and am convinced it is the exercise that is making me feel better. I haven't been to the gym in about 10 days, and I am going TOMORROW.. no matter what. I was going every other day and it helped get me through some really rough days. I recommend going. You don't have to become a gym rat, just use the tread mill or stair stepper.

thanks for posting this... it's easy to forget to take care of yourself... I'm still reeling from the shock of my loss... and have a lot of people in my home right now .... but I try to escape with my dogs for a 30minute excursion whenever I can... It's not a strict regiment - but it lets me get a few quiet moments where I can stop thinking and just be...

It all started with one little sprint down the block to escape the overwhelming terror and stress of grief .......

Before my husband Ross died (9/1/07) I had always walked 2-3 miles a day for exercise. After I lost him I was so overcome with anxiety that one morning I started running. At first I could only run half a block, but over the past 3 years I have challenged myself to run numerous 5k's, 10k's, and even a half marathon. i also worked with a personal trainer for a year and have a great regimen of core exercises and weightlifting that I routinely do.

What all this exercise has done for me personally is keep me off anti-depressants. Also, the physical goals I have accomplished have helped me to accomplish many other goals I never would have imagined I could undertake and complete. And I can tell you firsthand there is DEFINITELY a runner's high.

I hate to exercise. But I need to move and feel too horribly shy and body-consious and so I think a gym is out. Walking is what I've always done, when I've done anything. In the past when I walked a couple of hours a day, the pounds just melted away. With winter and snow/ice on the way, I just got a treadmill. Now if I'd just use it!

I'm going to go start a load of laundry, put a movie on and watch while treadmilling!

My husband had just joined a gym by our home before his death. I had his membership transferred to me. Every day, before work, I exercise on the tred-mill for 30 minutes. When I come home, I take our dog for a walk.

Tried several times to set it as a goal; however, seems as though when I get a good start, something comes up, I miss it for a few days and then hard to gat bace at it...............use the treadmill and biki............just started again last week and came down with bronchitis so now I am waiting again...........lol...........while I don't really like it, I do like putting on the Gaithers and praying during that time...........feels soooooo good when I finish....lol
Lori

Started walking soon after I lost Kallene the first part of June, 2010. Would walk at least 41/2 miles every day and found that it does relieve a lot of stress and lost 50lbs in the process.
But, I have not walked for the past month and now we have snow and ice (a good excuse). I need to lose another 20lbs to get to my ideal weight, but it will be hard now that winter is here.

The only D I ever made was in gym class. A's in physics and just about everything else. So no, I HATE to exercise. My hubby bought me an exercise bike some years ago. One day when I was off work, I was out with a friend, bought a frozen daiquiri and came home to escape the stifling New Orleans heat. When he came home from work he found me sitting on the exercise bike next to the AC, watching TV, drinking my daiquiri, smoking a cigarette and pedaling backwards. The next day the exercise bike was sitting on the curb. Didn't hurt my feelings any though....at that time I was a skinny little chick.

Next time I got into exercising, I put my back out and ended up in the ER and in bed the rest of the week. Rest of you all, have fun.

Riverbends - thanks for making me laugh today - you sound like Maxine the cartoon lady!!!