Healthier Inside and Out

I do Pop Pilates. Look it up online. The videos are short and fun, and you can do one or more in a row. Because they are so challenging even 15 minutes feel great! It has kept me going, in spite of a full schedule. Good Luck!

Start small. Work up. Find something you enjoy. I really like repetitive motion exercises (running, rowing, stair machine, treadmill, etc) for stress relief. I use it as a time to just concentrate on my body. Right now I'm running and I cannot believe how much I look forward to that time. 25-40 minutes (depending on the day, childcare, etc.) that I just pay attention to how much I am breathing, how my body feels. To be honest, most of it is concentrating on my breath -- which is the basis of meditation, which is a great way to relieve stress.
And my life is incredibly stressful right now. When I don't get that run in, it all overwhelms me (even thought I think "You had 30 extra minutes to work on that..."), when I do get that run in my life just works better. Exercise releases natural stress reducing hormones, so in addition to the benefits of just healthy moving and moving meditations, you are also fine tuning the brain chemistry as well.
Good luck. When you find something that really clicks with you and that you look forward to it is a great feeling.

I have found that workout videos don't work for me at all. For me, anyway, I have to leave the house. It's 3 and 1/2 miles around our neighborhood, and that is just about right for me to walk at a brisk pace. If I try to do that on a treadmill or whatever, I stop before I get there, but if the only way to get home is to keep walking, then I HAVE to finish my workout.

And, I find that by doing the walking, it helps me to release the tension that I'm carrying. I carry a lot in my shoulders, neck and jaw, and I find that the motion shakes me up just enough to work some of that tension out. I can actually FEEL the tension working out. It hurts a bit, true, but the more of that tension I work out, the less it hurts when I do it.

I also find that it's motivating for me to repeat to myself the reasons I'm working out. I have a list I repeat to myself, sometimes pondering over the specifics.

Or, I sometimes find that listening to some good music and just sort of zoning out to the tunes helps, too, especially if I'm doing the gym thing. Pick something with a great beat, and that will keep you up to speed.

Also, drink water. Even on days when you don't work out. It just feels good to by hydrated. I've also found that it helps my skin if I do water plus daily lotioning - the better my skin looks, the more willing I am to work out so I can show it off!

Keep it up! and kudos! to you for seeking out a way to feel good!

I am also naturally thin, but want to stay healthy. I have found that the only way I will exercise is if I have a goal that I PAY for. For example, I'm doing the Dirty Girl Mud Run in October, and I need to get in shape for it. I've paid a $65 entry fee for it, so I'm committed. Now I need to exercise regularly so that I'll be ready for it. I'm doing it with a friend of mine who is very competitive (we always do these things together), so I need to be in good shape so that we won't be last! :) The Mud Run is a 5K with 11 obstacles.

After that, I'm going to find a 10K to sign up for that takes place in February. That way I'll keep training. Then I want to do a half marathon in the late spring.

If I don't constantly sign up for events, then I don't exercise. I've done the Breast Cancer 3-Day twice (a 60 mile walk), and that was great, because we trained for almost a year each time. We do a four mile/hour walk which is pretty quick. That kept me in good shape, and I felt great!

I don't like exercising inside. I need to be in the great outdoors, but you need to see what works for you. Have fun! It's wonderful that you're doing this for yourself!

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I'd recommend getting into a small group class or working with a trainer to cater your workouts to what motivates you. They hold you accountable to show up & take that time for yourself. Having someone help you set goals and push you towards meeting those goals is super motivating, and can make you feel like you can do anything. Work your exercise into your daily schedule, and make it a routine for 3 months. Also, try a lot of different workouts to see what makes you feel best - I was shocked to find that I LOVE kickboxing - kicking a bag and punching pads is really great toning and works out all of my bad energy. Also, I've found that focusing less on weight to lose, and more on new capabilities that I can do has motivated me to stay with my program. I don't care what size I am, but I do care about enjoying life to the fullest! After 18 months of making fitness a prioirity, I'm strong enough to carry my 5 year old AND my 18 month old. I'm fast enough to catch my 5 year old when we play tag at the park. I'm not winded when we're at the bounce place. The last 18 months of working hard has made me better able to have fun - totally worth it!

I know exactly how you feel. I am naturally very thin. I lost my baby weight in about 2 seconds. I don't need to work out for any weight issues. So, I struggle. I have found that I enjoy being "active" more then exercising. I like to take a soccer ball to the park with my son and run around. Or, I take him in the wagon and walk on the walking trail. (It has plenty of hills, so it's a really great workout!) We will just go and plain run around. We have a park with tennis courts, that has a solid wall on one side. I hit the ball against the wall while my son plays on the court. (It's completely fenced in, with a secure gate around each court.) I can't stand exercising to videos, or going to gyms.

I really don't know much about it helping with negative feelings. I don't have a whole lot of negative feelings, personally. I have read, that exercise helps with depression and anxiety in a lot of people. Physically, it doesn't make me feel too much different. I am naturally lean, so it doesn't change my body. I do have more energy, when I get exercise.

YES!!! It definitely makes a difference in your mental mood. But to really feel the mood effects, you need to usually work out for at least 40 min.

However, 20 mins. is great, because any exercise is better than none. Just set a goal of 40+ min. of vigorous (red, sweaty, out of breath) exercise twice a week. Maybe you should give up the journaling about it, because adding another thing to the routine makes it more daunting. I don't know what there is to journal about exercising other than, "Worked out, it was boring,"

Make your goal to be how you feel AFTER you work out, and you should feel alive and glowing. Meantime, "JUST DO IT."

And on that note - I'm off to work out.

It does help for me, but then again, exercise has been a part of my lifestyle for 10 yrs now. So it's really not a question for me.

For you, I might suggest looking into Tabata style or HiiT training.
It's basically really intense cardio in really short intervals. (Think 4-8 minutes and you're done.)

If you google it or do some You Tube searches, you can find some simple workouts at home to do. In it's most basic form...go outsite, and sprint for 20 seconds, then walk for 10. Sprint another 20, then walk another 10. Do that 8 times overall. Then you're done.You'll feel the effects immediately.
It's a complete cardio work out in 4 minutes (and has more fat and metabolism boosting power than an hour long steady state run...)

However, I'm thinking that if you're THAT much of a worrier...therapy might be a good fit anyway. Fitness just tires you out, and the endorphins allow you to focus elsewhere for awhile. But if you know you're that much of an anxious person, perhaps talking to someone is the best idea.
Feel free to PM me if you have questions.