Okay, I’ll bite. I used to hardly ever exercise or do is sporadically. I decided I wanted to run a 5k because I always admired the dedication that runners seem to have. So I started training. At first I couldn’t even run 2 minutes and now I can run 35 minutes–3 miles. I cannot tell you the satisfaction I get from knowing I can do that. Running has also given me a great outlet. It’s a great stress reliever for me. I go in the morning without the kids and it is MY time. I can think about whatever I want. It is pure ME time. I love it.

I haven’t lost any weight with it, I still feel all jiggly and fat in places but I really love doing it.

PS..I followed the From Couch to 5K program on this site: http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=26
It is awesome.

Comment by emlouisa — August 2, 2006 @ 4:57 pm

I would KILL to be 120 lbs! However, if does sound like you would feel better if you got into shape. I’m not here to crack the whip on the whole thing but exercise has always been a part of my daily routine. Even now two weeks after giving birth, I’m getting back into shape slowly by going on long walks with the kids every day.

I don’t know if exercise is the cure-all but being in shape definitely makes me have more energy (even when I’m suffering from an extreme lack of sleep) so that’s why I’m making it a point to get back onboard!

Comment by Amber — August 2, 2006 @ 5:19 pm

To exercise or not.
We’re on the same boat, 36, 5′, 97 lbs, yeah, but extremely out of shape, if a monster was chasing me I wouldn’t be able to run more than 20 feet so save my life, seriously.
To me, exercising is walking through the mall, slowly.
It just sounds hard (how sad is that?).
Your DH tells you the same things I’ve heard from others, and my fellow blogger/commentators have the same opinion it sounds like it has benefits.

I’d say YAY to exercise, even to the ‘aggressive couch to 5k’.
If I wasn’t so lazy

Comment by No Cool Story — August 2, 2006 @ 7:45 pm

Um, I need to follow the link from the first comment…

I can say that when I do yoga, I sleep better, breathe easier, and feel calmer (all that oxygen from all that breathing); the stronger, leaner muscles are a bonus.

Need to get out the yoga mat, too…gee, thanks! J/K!!!C

Comment by Cmommy — August 2, 2006 @ 8:55 pm

While I in no way believe exercise is a cure-all, I think it’s definitely helpful. I feel a lot better when I exercise, both physically and mentally. I still have to take my antidepressants, though! I started doing the couch-to-5K program that Emily did and I really liked it (I was up to running 9 minutes!! lol!), but my joints decided to hate me and I had to take a break. I’m ready to get back into it, though.

Exercise doesn’t need to be running though…try different things until you find something you like. Biking, yoga, aerobics, swimming, jumping rope, etc.

The #1 reason I exercise even though I don’t love it is because I want a healthy heart so that I can be around here a long time to see my grandkids, great-grandkids even.

Plus, you need all that energy for the arts and craps I’m going to force you into. Come on, you KNOW you want to. We’re making paper chains next week.

Comment by Alicia — August 3, 2006 @ 1:48 pm

I agree with Em and Alicia, exercising is great ME time. I feel great after I’m done and usually want to do it again the next day, lol. It doesn’t have to be a horrible thing either, so many different types of exercises to fit everyones personalities. Yoga is one that you may not feel like you are working out until you are done

Comment by Meadow — August 3, 2006 @ 2:46 pm

I got to this site from one of your comments on the works for me wednesday. I wanted to first answer that one, don’t worry about your son and holding his pencil. Just get him excited aobut going to school and he will get more and more comfortable with that grip with all the practice he is going to get. Just read with him and spend time with him (I am sure you are doing both) and color and write. If you stress out about things you will get him stressed out about it. The teacher will take care of it and you can support her with what she is doing.
I LOVE to go to curves. My mom bought me a membership and I feel tons more energy and muscle. It’s fun to feel better and look better and do things without getting tired. I have to side with your husband.
Hope you don’t mind my 2 cents.

Comment by janet — August 3, 2006 @ 6:52 pm

Just hopped over from Daring Young Mom…
I so understand what you are saying!!! Running a house and home can really drain you and make you feel like there is NO WAY POSSIBLE that you will ever really be able to have the energy to even get out the jogging shoes because everything you’ve got is going to the midnight feedings (this is the 4-yr old wanting toast) and tantrums and dishes etc.,

My mom would tell me that I should exercise because I would feel better and have more energy. I had a hard time believing her because I just couldn’t fathom how exerting energy would give me more energy. But I guess it’s part of some eternal law of returns (give love, get more back, things like that). I had a baby a few months ago and I waited until he was 2 months old and not getting up too many times at night and I started to go walking 3 times a week for 30-45 minutes in the morning. I haven’t been able to do this as regularly lately as at first, but I notice a difference. I do sleep better, and have more energy and it has started to be a leetle bit easier for me to get up in the morning.

I decided on just three times a week, usually every other day, because then I have days where I know I don’t have to go. I just walk in a nice park near my house. Sometimes I take something to listen to, sometimes I just use it for thinking time. I actually have a number of laps I do, so the length is the same, and if I’m feeling tired I just don’t go as fast.

Good luck!

Comment by allysha — August 3, 2006 @ 7:35 pm

I think your view of exercise needs to change. Exercise doesn’t have to mean loosing weight or even breast mass. Your husband is right, you would be amazed at how much better you would feel if you get into a regular routine of exercise. It’s good for your heart and lungs especially. If you want something positive to think about, think about that. Exercise does increase the seratonin and can be quite a mood lifter. I always hated to work out. But over the last several months, I got into a regular routine of either walking my dogs or riding my eliptical machine. 25 mintues 4-5 times a week. I don’t lift weights and I’m not losing any weight. I’ve gained muscle tone. More enery. My libido is up considerably. And my self esteem has taken a good boost too. You don’t have to work out to the point of exhaustion either. Just walk even! I found after about a couple of weeks, it no longer became a drugery and I found I really enjoy it! Hope you try it!

Comment by Queen Beth — August 4, 2006 @ 7:49 am

I have to vote in favor of exercise. My mood is always much,much more positive when I am exercising regularly and when I am not, I get a little depressed. I do it for that reason and so that I can eat what I want. And, I want to be a healthly older person and exercise helps with EVERYTHING like heart disease, osteoperosis (sp?), dementia, etc. etc.

But, you have to do it for you and not because your husband wants you to. Try it and see if it makes a difference for you.

Comment by Gabriela — August 4, 2006 @ 7:23 pm

I’ve seen links to your blog at several blogs I read. I read your post after this before reading this. We sound similar. I’ve thought I was a people pleaser too, but I’m very selfish with my sleep (I sleep later than 8:30 if my daughter lets me!) and exercise I consider going up and down the stairs to do laundry, picking up toys, gardening…. We live in the the sticks, with a not very well paved street that is slightly uphill one direction and slightly downhill the other. I pushed my daughter in the stroller last week between 1/4 and 1/3 of a mile up the hill and thought I was going to die after 5 minutes. It doesn’t help that I’m about 5 1/2 months pregnant, but it’s times like these that make me head back to the couch. Or the computer…..

Comment by April — August 7, 2006 @ 11:38 pm