This morning I was reading Ali Mc post on Running with Spatulas from yesterday and she mentioned that she exercises less when she is feeling down. This got me thinking about myself and my habits with exercise. Now we have all heard of emotional eating...
...but could there also be emotional exercising?
Much of what we all talk about and researchers show are the many emotional benefits of being healthy and exercising. We all know how a good run or workout can put us into a better mood. As a matter of fact the other day when I got home from the doctor, all I wanted to do was go for a run...to hit the pavement so hard that my stress would come out and stay there (I did head to Fancy Nancy's Gym-still looking for a good name-and hit the treadmill for a bit until I didn't want to scream). I have always tried to be mindful of when I was eating/craving junk food and whether or not it was tied to how I was feeling. I've worked hard to not eat just because I was sad/stressed, but I've never looked at my exercise patterns. I would like to think that I am a "I'm stressed so I'll go for a run" type of girl. The stressful times in my life looking back have gone hand and hand with the highest mileage months to date, but what about you?
Do you turn to workouts when you are stressed or feeling down or do you tend to stay away from the sweat fest when you're blue?
I tend to turn to them more when I'm sad or stressed, to get my mind off of things. Endorphins work wonders!!
ReplyDeleteA little bit of both... If I'm really feeling blah, it's hard to get out for a run, but sometimes I can do other exercise (like spinning) and for some reason it doesn't seem to require as much effort as a run. But yes, I always feel better afterwards!
ReplyDeleteI'm such a creature of habit that I exercise no matter where my mood is. That said, a good sweat can always elevate the mood!
ReplyDeleteIf I've missed running or working out for a few days, I am pretty much a wreck! So, if I start feeling blue, I check myself and go out for a run and then all is right with the world again.
ReplyDeleteIn the past, I've used runs to clear my head. Lately, trying to make my comeback almost causes more stress with the running, but I still get out there, even if I'm not feeling like it.
ReplyDeleteI definitely do workout less, as mentioned BUT it's normally because "I don't feel like it" ;) I definitely know they would help. Yesterday I felt 10,000X better after I finally got my run in. So you're right. lol I need to just suck it up and go for it.....a lot of time I love a good excuse for sitting on the couch or sleeping in bed instead ;)
ReplyDeleteNice post! thanks for the link up!
Honestly I rarely go out and run because even if I do that I still need to talk it out to feel better so it's better for me to talk out what is going on and then go from there.
ReplyDeleteWhen I feel overwhelmed, a run is my go to activity. It's funny because I often get stressed when I have too much to do, so you would think the workout would get left behind, but it always helps me organize my mind.
ReplyDeleteWorking out always makes me feel good! Whether I'm happy or a little stressed! :)
ReplyDeleteI am so stressed now and cant run so it is killing me.... I now have become the emotional eater because I have not outlet but I plan to make this next week healthier.
ReplyDeleteI'm often surprised when I realize it's hardest to get myself motivated to exercise when I need it the most. Makes no sense at all! I have to push myself harder to get moving when I'm stressed but I know I will feel so much better afterward.
ReplyDeleteI guess I turn away from running when I'm stressed and turn to food. Which of course does NOT make me feel any better! :)
ReplyDeleteShannon
http://www.irunreadteach.wordpress.com
Great post! When I'm stressed I hide and rather curl up in bed. If I can manage to get up and go for a run, I'm soo glad I did. I know it makes me feel better to run, but it is just sooo hard to get started.
ReplyDeleteI can go either way. It's hard to get motivated when I am feeling down, so often running goes out the door. However, if I can get my butt in gear and get out there, I am always, always glad I did and I always feel better!
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