Exercise other than for weight loss.
 

I've never really thought exercise helped me lose weight but it sure has helped with my blood pressure and even kidney function. I use an eliptical because I am not supposed to be in the sun, though I love to be outdoors in the garden. I usually go out at sunset. I think it may even be helping my hair grow. Any other ideas?

It helps me a lot with my sleep, and with managing anxiety. It also has dramatically improved my (admittedly pretty poor before) balance, so I don't fall down nearly as often and therefore end up with fewer injuries.

I helped unload and stack 3 cords of wood Monday and after an hour I still felt great...2 years ago I barely lasted 15 minutes before I was huffing and puffing and whining. :carrot:

Yup! Both my parents had had heart attacks by the time they were my age. I am one of four children. Three doctor for high blood pressure and two of those have type 2 diabetes as well. And then there's me :D so far so good!

As per Legally Blonde -

“Exercise gives you endorphins--endorphins make people happy and happy people just don't shoot their husbands... they just don't.”

I'm a lot nicer person with much better temper control when I'm working out. Ask my husband and son . ..

Exercise is essential for me. It relieves my anxiety, relieves my stress, helps me not to worry and makes me a much more pleasant person to be around.

Great reasons for exercise......even better than losing weight.

Gives me strength and energy to keep up with my kids. I lift weights and do cardio to get strong and improve my cardio so I can let my kids ride on my shoulders, ride bikes with them, etc.

Although exercise certainly makes losing and maintaining easier, it's essential for me mainly for non-calorie reasons:

I sleep much better, I naturally prefer healthier foods, I have more energy, it combats depression, it keeps the aches and stiffness away, it makes daily and social activities easy. And my body's appearance, at the same weight, on and off exercise is a very different thing. And because much of my exercise is yoga, it's also part of my mental and spiritual health. It's a big part of handling stress and getting relaxation and clearing my mind and keeping it sharp.

Actual calories burned is actually at the bottom of my list of reasons to exercise.

I'd like to do yoga but never could quite get the hang of it.

Because I'm in much better shape now, I can do things that I never dreamed I'd be able to do - let alone at my age. One of my favorite things is hiking, and I can hike for miles up to the mountain top WITH a heavy pack and enjoy it. I can kayak, run and play. I can have adventures. My world is bigger -- I'm not afraid to go out and try new things because I have much more confidence in my physical abilities.

And, I agree with what others have said already: Exercise makes me feel better physically and mentally and burns calories to help me maintain my weight loss long term.

I like that "I can have adventures" In a nutshell--yes that's the best part. I'm not on the sidelines anymore.

And I like that Legally Blond quote. I'll use that on my husband when he questions my sanity rolling out of bed before 5am to go to boot camp.

Exercise has made all the difference for me. I started because I want to burn calories and lose weight, but now it's a lifestyle. I hike, rock climb, ski and can't wait to try new activities. Making the lifestyle change is what makes me believe I can maintain my weight loss but more than that I'm enjoying so many things that I never thought I could!

I haven't quite got to that adventurous part so many of you describe but I do feel better and have better blood pressure, etc.

I find that exercise really helps my self esteem.

Lifting weights always gives me a sense of accomplishment, especially when I increase the weight. I also felt the best, physically and emotionally, when I was training for my triathlon. For once it wasn't about losing weight, it was about pushing myself and being proud of myself. I also happened to lose the most weight then, which was a nice bonus!