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April 28, 2010 (Updated November 10, 2022)

Why Do You Exercise?

by Anne Mauney, MPH, RD

31 comments
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Goooooood morning!

I am currently riding my workout high from LA Boxing this morning! There’s nothing better than a hard, sweaty workout to start your day. Am I right?!

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I’m on week 2 of my LA Boxing workouts, and so far I’m loving it! I’ve been going three times a week and it’s so great to be mixing up my workouts. Honestly, it’s also kind of nice to just get told what to do and not have to worry about coming up with stuff on my own! 🙂

Plus, I made a new friend! I love making friends in workout classes because:

  1. It makes it more fun to have someone to make “I’m Dying” faces at; and
  2. You have someone to hold you accountable! If I know someone will miss me if I don’t show, I’m much more apt to go 🙂

Meet Cat, my new LA Boxing friend!

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Hi Cat 🙂

Cat’s been going to LA Boxing for awhile now, and this morning I asked her — Why do you come to LA Boxing? Here’s what she had to say:

I love boxing because not only is it a great cardio workout, but it’s an AWESOME stress reliever! I also love that unlike most gym cardio kickboxing classes you actually hit bags (instead of the air). It makes it more fun and the hour FLIES by!

It got me thinking about why I exercise. Besides the obvious reasons (looking toned and keeping my body healthy, strong, and fit), I do different types of exercise for different reasons:

  • Pilates and Yoga for calm of mind
  • Running to challenge and invigorate
  • Hiking and biking to enjoy nature and fresh air
  • And now kickboxing to relieve stress and pump me up for the day! 🙂

As you can tell — my number one reason for exercising is because I love how it makes me feel. I find I’m much more positive and content on days when I’ve gotten in a good workout. Exercise is such a mental release for me — a time for me to forget about whatever is stressing or worrying me, and just focus on the work out at hand! It’s hard to worry about everyday problems when you’re busy powering up a hill or trying to remember kicking combinations 🙂

…

Now it’s your turn — Why do YOU exercise? Do you do different types of exercise for different reasons, like I do?

…

Stay tuned — I’ll be doing some LA Boxing related giveaways soon, as well as sharing some great new workout moves!

Have a great day!

- anne
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31 comments
  • Nicole @ Geek Turned Athlete
    April 28, 2010 · 9:50AM:
    Completely agree with the whole "I like the way it makes me feel." I love pushing my body AND mind to the "next level."
    Reply
  • Ashley
    April 28, 2010 · 9:52AM:
    i like switching it up every once in a while or I get bored. LOVE that you are doing this Anne, I definitely want to try it out. Theres one about 20 mins from my house! :)
    Reply
  • Jessica @ How Sweet
    April 28, 2010 · 9:53AM:
    Totally agree with it being a mental release for me. That is probably the biggest reason I exercise. It just makes me feel good. And more confident!
    Reply
  • K
    April 28, 2010 · 10:00AM:
    Love all these LA Boxing posts- definitely more interested in checking it out since I've seen your reviews! I'm pretty boring with my workouts- usually treadmill with the occasional free yoga class at Lululemon, haha.
    Reply
  • Suzanne
    April 28, 2010 · 10:12AM:
    LA Boxing has been intriguing me for a while... especially since they say you can burn 1,000 calories in an hour! Thems fightin words! Ultimately, I do any excerise because it makes me look and feel better, but I get different things out of every workout. I don't like strength training much, but afterwards I feel a great sense of accomplishment because I pushed through something I wasn't that excited about and feel really powerful. Running helps me clear my head- after a run I feel like I can tackle any problem with a sound mind.
    Reply
  • Heather (Heather's Dish)
    April 28, 2010 · 10:15AM:
    oh man, what a loaded question! i guess when it comes down to it exercise because it makes me feel strong and beautiful. i love doing cardio (running, walking, hiking, biking) because i sweat and can tell i'm working hard. i love weight training because it makes me feel strong! and i love yoga because it makes me feel calm, centered, and beautiful :)
    Reply
  • Beth
    April 28, 2010 · 10:18AM:
    I train with kettlebells for strength and health. I practice yoga for sanity.
    Reply
  • alicia April 28, 2010 · 10:46AM:
    I agree with you. Kickboxing makes me feel AMAZING. I have so much more energy and it starts my day off right. Of course the exception is today when I missed class because I was waiting for AAA to unlock my car with the keys inside! So funny that you saw me sitting there today. I was so angry at myself. And of course the AAA guy doesn't show up until 6:59! If I'd known that I would have made my kickbxing class. Oh well. See you again soon I'm sure!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      April 28, 2010 · 11:01AM:
      Awww I felt so bad for you!!! I'm glad they finally came. What a bummer to have to miss you workout for such an annoyance! :( See you next time :) xoxo
      Reply
  • Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin
    April 28, 2010 · 11:53AM:
    I exercise largely for stress and anxiety relief! I used to have a lot of trouble falling asleep at night, and once I started exercising regularly those problems went away. Now I never have trouble falling asleep, which is awesome. I've also lost over 50 pounds in the last year, and this wouldn't have been possible without exercising!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      April 28, 2010 · 12:00PM:
      That is so awesome. Congrats on all your hard work!
      Reply
  • Lisa @ lists in my pocket
    April 28, 2010 · 12:00PM:
    That workout looks so fun! I agree with you - different types of exercise are for different things, like yoga for stretching and calm or pilates for an ab workout. I also love to get nature workouts in because it combines being outside with burning calories. But the overall reason is definitely because I feel healthier!
    Reply
  • claire
    April 28, 2010 · 12:06PM:
    I have yet to try boxing! I definitely workout for lots of reasons like you. I love nature so much and running outside and exploring is always fun. I workout for overall health/stress relief/better sleep and to feel strong. I run in general to push myself farther then I thought I could go.
    Reply
  • Heather C
    April 28, 2010 · 12:15PM:
    I mostly just RUn and do a workout video here and there for "strength training" b/c I don't have a gym membership. I do both of those things to stay in shape and challenge myself (i.e. run too many races, but have fun ;) )! Biking will be a new adventure, so, we'll see about that! I'd love to do kickboxing though - this looks fun!
    Reply
  • Haley April 28, 2010 · 12:15PM:
    I'm a member of LA Boxing Arlington and joined after I was on a work trip when I was up all night and some woman was on a show called "Last 10 Pounds" and talked about her kickboxing classes. She kept talking them up! Being an athlete, I decided why not challenge myself and try out something new. I pulled out my laptop after seeing that one night - mind you it was about 3am - to check it out, and went in for a free class the following week. I go MWF and I am participating in the Boot Camp on Saturday's. It's a blast. I've made more friends in the Boot Camp only b/c at 6am I'd rather keep to myself lol. Friends and coworkers look at me like I'm nuts when I say I CHOOSE to get up at 5am to go workout, but when you find something you love to do, why wouldn't you want to get up!? It's a great stress reliever and I am normally the most chipper person when I come into work after class.
    Reply
    • Anne P
      April 28, 2010 · 12:21PM:
      That's so awesome! I've been wanting to try the Saturday boot camp - I love those type of workouts. So much fun! I used to do a 6 a.m. outdoor bootcamp thing and my friends thought I was insane, too ;)
      Reply
  • Maggie @ Fit.Fun.Food
    April 28, 2010 · 3:47PM:
    I exercise for confidence and to sort out problems! And yoga helps me slow down and relax!
    Reply
  • Lauren @ A Fit Foodie
    April 28, 2010 · 4:17PM:
    I run (and exercise) because it's like my natural xanax. It keeps me calm, level headed and downright happy. I love those endorphins! They are addicting!
    Reply
  • Johanna B
    April 28, 2010 · 5:19PM:
    Right now I'm loving the functional ways exercise is helping me in life. Moving better, having better balance, being better able to do my job, shelving books on the top shelf without feeling like my shoulder is going to fall off my body and stuff like that.
    Reply
  • amanda
    April 28, 2010 · 5:39PM:
    I do exercise for many of the typical reasons: makes me feel good, keeps the weight off, and helps relieve stress. I am currently an LA boxing member too and I love it. There is nothing like beating the crap out of the bag when you are stressed out or just plain mad. ha ha However, when I run I do a lot of thinking about life. Which can be a good and bad thing too.
    Reply
  • Katharine
    April 28, 2010 · 5:40PM:
    Back in high school/beginning of college I definitely exercsied to get "skinny." But ever since I've starting to take having CF seriously, I do it for my actual health. Two words, lung function, make it impossible for me to excuse myself from a session at the gym. :)
    Reply
  • Lisa @ bakebikeblog
    April 28, 2010 · 6:30PM:
    What a great question. Exercise is my comfort and my calm. It is the one thing in my life that I do just for me. No pressure, no deadlines. LOVE IT :)
    Reply
    • Anne P
      April 28, 2010 · 10:10PM:
      Love this comment! Well said :)
      Reply
  • Desiree April 28, 2010 · 7:09PM:
    I exercise because after sitting in class and the library all day, I need to move!! I also do it to release stress/frustration, and to do something mindless (boot camps and running at a non-competitive pace). I would love to try LA Boxing - they need one in the Philadelphia area!
    Reply
  • Sarah
    April 28, 2010 · 8:45PM:
    I exercise because I feel strong and badass :) The endorphins are a plus too! In the wise words of Elle Woods "Endorphins make you happy. Happy people don't kill their husbands. They just don't." And currently I don't have a husband but I'm sure the endorphins would keep me from killing him!
    Reply
    • Anne P
      April 28, 2010 · 10:15PM:
      YESSSSSS Elle Woods!!! I love that line, haha. Sooo true ;)
      Reply
  • Lee
    April 28, 2010 · 8:48PM:
    I like the way it makes me feel. But I'm not going to lie, I also exercise so I can maintain my weight.
    Reply
  • Rebecca @ How the Cookies Crumble
    April 28, 2010 · 8:54PM:
    I'll be honest, sometimes I'd rather go to happy hour with my friends everyday than workout, but exercise just makes you feel so much better. I am also not very good at sitting still or hanging out by myself, so if there is nothing going on, it's much easier for me to go for a run or than watch tv. But the main reason I workout is to maintain a healthy body and healthy weight and know I'm doing good things for my heart and lungs. Everyone in my family lives forever, so if that's the case, I want to do so in my best possible health.
    Reply
  • Gracie @ Girl Meets Health
    April 29, 2010 · 11:44AM:
    You know, I'm currently going through the process of figuring out exactly why it is that I exercise. For the longest time...years, actually, I exercised because I felt like I had to (subconsciously, of course). Sure, most of the time I truly wanted to exercise, but there were times were I pushed my body when it didn't want to be pushed, if that makes sense. I'm finally learning to use exercise to HONOR my body rather than ease my sense of obligation. So as of late, that means a lot of yoga and pilates. I may or may not incorporate more vigorous exercise again in the future, but right now I'm focusing on making exercise something that ADDS to my quality of life rather than takes away from it.
    Reply
  • Gabriela @ Fro-Yo Lover
    April 29, 2010 · 2:22PM:
    Awww - amazing post, girl! I used to wonder why did I exercise... And that´s why I decided to stop for a while. I did it just for the calories, and it never made me feel good! Just exhausted. I´m taking a break and trying to find a workout that suits me, like a jump class or something... An exercise without any "calories burned" calculator. So I can have fun! :D Have a great day, Anne! Brazilian XOXO´s, Gabriela
    Reply
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about Anne

anne mauney fannetastic food
Hi, I’m Anne! I'm a Washington D.C. based Registered Dietitian, mother, runner, and lover of travel, adventure, and the great outdoors. I've been blogging since 2009, sharing a mix of lifestyle content, recipes, and fitness tips. Come for the recipes – stay for the fun!
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anne mauney

I’m Anne, a Registered Dietitian and mother. I've been blogging since 2009 and love showing others that eating nutritious foods and staying active can actually be fun rather than overwhelming!

When I’m not writing or cooking for fannetastic food, you can find me running, coaching nutrition clients, or on an adventure with my family. Feel free to reach out - I'd love to hear from you!

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