"Once I became healthier [after disordered eating], I dove back into dance, an exercise I truly love. I attended Zumba classes with an old roommate and didn't try to figure out the calories I burned. I started taking dance technique classes with a dance group on campus, in which I learned how to do jumps, turns, and leaps I'd always wanted to do but never learned how to growing up. I realised how cool it is and how privileged I am that my body can (or at least attempt to) do so many fancy, impressive dance moves. My exercise was far from about punishment at this point: my exercise turned into learning choreography and feeling proud of myself when I improved. I even became one of the winners of the technique award due to my commitment and improvement."

- Ashley B. 

From ​I Exercise to Celebrate My Body Instead of Punishing It, and I'm Much Happier For It

"After I climbed a few times, I had a revolutionary realization: I didn’t hate it. It was different from any exercise I’d tried before, full of static motion and mental puzzles. I finished each session drenched in sweat, but it was a sweat that I had worked for, a sweat during which I had actually done things. It felt so much better than just running aimlessly. Simply getting to the top of the rock wall doesn’t sound all that amazing, and it wasn’t really. It was just something different, and something that has truly changed the way I feel about my body and my physical fitness."

- Katie N.

From ​How I learned that exercise can (and should) be enjoyable

"Running has become a thing I must do to manage my endometriosis. Even slow, short-distance runs are a healthy, cheap practice."

"But when I am able to work up a sweat, my uterus simply doesn’t hurt, my ovaries remain silent, and my limbs, while still heavy, feel almost like those of a regular person."

- Jessie M.

From ​How I’m Exercising to Ease Endometriosis Symptoms This Winter and ​How Running Can Help Manage Endometriosis Symptoms

“It puts me in a good mood, a good frame of mind for the day. No matter how my day goes, I always feel good about starting in the gym. I feel strong. I feel healthy. Mentally, I feel good.”

- Brian B.

​From ​Finding joy in working out
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"Getting outside, being physical and enjoying some fresh air helps build that relationship with the natural environment and the love for the outdoors.”

- Adam v K.

From ​Active Champions Series: Adam van Koeverden

“When I work out first thing in the morning and have a great workout, my social anxiety for the rest of the day is just gone. Almost everything is gone: my body dysmorphia is gone, my OCD, my depression, my anxiety.”

“I know that when I get home and I stop being active, the gates are going to open and all my mental demons are going to be rushing back in. I just wish I could just keep running forever. Run away, really. But I’m running from myself.”

​- Russell L.
Reno, Nevada

From ‘Running From Myself’: Reno Mental Health Advocate Struggles With Pandemic-Related Disruptions

“I think that it is important, as you get old, that you don’t sit back and think ‘I’m getting old, I can just relax.’ If you want to keep going, you must keep active, and keep walking.’’

- Margaret P., 90
Sutherland, Scotland

From ​90-Year-Old Raises Over Half A Million For Charity By Climbing Up Her Stairs 282 Times

“I always wanted to be the best and to be on the podium as much as possible. But now, it’s completely different, and I exercise because it makes me feel great and gives me time to switch off mentally but tune in physically.”

​- Jessica E-H, 34

From Jessica Ennis-Hill’s Refreshing Attitude Towards Exercise Is The Lockdown Advice You Need To Read.

"​I think it’s about embracing working out as a lifestyle. People say, “Vernon, why are you so fit?” I always told people that I’m not working out to compete. I work out for a lifetime. I can use the workouts I present for a lifetime, and so can you. Working out is the foundation for living a healthy and active lifestyle. I have moments when I struggle a little bit, but I have to stay motivated."

- Vernon D, 36

From ‘I work out for a lifetime’: Vernon Davis has switched from the NFL to fitness, music and film.

"​So far [with trampolining], I’ve noticed a huge reduction in stress post-exercise—and I’m actually enjoying the time spent doing these workouts.

What’s more, my afternoons are now more focused and productive with that excess energy burned off, and I’m actually falling asleep at a normal hour again."

Kaleigh M.

From This workout routine helped me shake off my quarantine anxiety.
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