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When I was a teenager, I HATED exercise. I snarled at the mention of it like a rabid dog defending its lazy grounds. I did play a bit of hockey (I liked the brutality of the sticks LOL), but generally the only exercise I got was having to walk to places when I could not be ferried around by anyone who could drive a car.
To say I was a moody teen was mild. I loved Pink Floyd, the Doors, Maryanne Faithful, and any mopey activities that didn't involve too much exertion. But then between the ages of 17 and 18 years old, I piled on 25kg. I was overseas, inhaling dark chocolate, white bread and sugar (I was the chunkiest Vegan in the UK) and so returned to NZ with a little more 'luggage' than I had taken.

I was really unhappy and depressed (as I got teased for being 'big), and so when I graced our green shores, I decided I was going to get fit. Donning my oversized baggy sweat pants and hoodies, I embarked on my first 'run'. It was a major disaster. My heart felt as though it would explode in my mouth, my muscles felt like lead bricks and I felt all the discomfort of being at the very beginning of a long road.

At the end of the torturous session (which was honestly no longer than 15 minutes), I lay down on the grass with my chest heaving, blood ringing in my ears. But then a really interesting thing happened. I could SEE the sky. I watched the clouds tracing shapes and for the first time in a really long time, I wasn't replaying negative memories or thoughts. I felt unusually peaceful, and all of a sudden, the demons in my head were quiet. They were probably buggered trying to calm my heart rate down LOL.

The decision to continue on this path of physical mastery was NOT to look better (that's a reflective statement, as I did want to lose the weight), or even FEEL better during the exercise (as I definitely did not enjoy it), but more that I was searching for the feeling movement brought me AFTERWARDS. The peace of discharging energy.

So my love of exercise was born like a 12 pound baby set breech - painful, tiring and glad when its over. :) It wasn't easy, but a little like baking, you do the work beforehand for the cake afterwards, not because you enjoy whisking goop.
Now as an adult, where exercise is a daily habit (like brushing my teeth), I wish that I had discovered it during my younger years:

Feeling depressed? Go for a run!
Feeling angry? Go smash a boxing bag!
Feeling anxious? Do some stretching and breathe.

Nobody TOLD me at the time as a teenager, that moving could change my state, but I wish someone had. I wish I'd had that gift that was so easy to access back then, when the world was dark and scary.

And it's not just my opinion. The benefits of daily exercise are scientifically proven. Better sleep, more energy, and most importantly LESS MENTAL HEALTH issues.

Ultimately, we are animals. Our bodies need to move to perform.
So if you're feeling a little sad sack, angry or 'meh' - put on your dancing shoes and feel the wind in your hair.

If you're unfit (like I was) and dread the thought of exercise, focus on how you feel AFTERWARDS, because as your body adapts, it is going to be hard work. But I promise you, that hard work pays off. Rattle your sleepy teen out of bed and go and feel your body in motion. Embrace the body you have, because it's the only car for your whole life - and "Baby you were born to run".

Have a great week xx
Keep shining xx

Katie xx