“I run mostly for my health, and to have a good life by having a good morning’s exercise."

- Abdi, 18
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Via The Guardian

"Working out for your health is not always about setting a personal record in the gym or a perfect training program. Something I often say to my training clients is that we as adults don’t play enough. I learned that doing a fun dance class or crazy boot camp with my friends may not have gotten me as sweaty as a perfectly structured kettlebell workout by my trainer self’s standards, but it gave me benefits in so many other ways. It got me moving, laughing, and having fun—and that is just as crucial to our health as a weight training session. Goofing off is not a bad thing!"

- Minna L.

Via MindBodyGreen

“I have loved all forms of movement since I can remember. Whether it’s a sport, exercise, or physical activity of any kind (even just deep cleaning my apartment), I love it. It’s hard for me to shorten Why I Move into a concise blurb, both because I am so passionate about this topic and because I use way too many words in general, but I guess in short, I move for three general reasons other than just because I love to:

1. I move for my health, and by health I mean my mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Mentally, exercise keeps me sane. Physically, (apart from the thousands of physical benefits I REALLY want to list but there’s not enough space), I love to challenge my body to be better. Emotionally, exercise allows me to release any emotions (and I have a lot of them) or stress so that I can simply relax and be happy.

2. I move for those who can’t. Being able to lift weights, do push ups, dance, jump, run, walk, even the ability to stand, these abilities aren’t guaranteed for everyone. And because I’ve been blessed with the ability to do so, I will move until I can’t any longer.

3. I move now so that I can move later. One of those many physical benefits that I wanted to list in my first point is that exercise allows you to better maintain physical function as you age. I want to be able to move for a long time, and because I hope to be a Physician’s Assistant, I want to be able to personally attest to the benefits of exercise and physical activity as I encourage my patients (and anyone else who will listen to me) to do so. So, I move now so that I can continue to be active as I age.

That’s as concise as I could make it, but there are thousands of reasons to be active, just take your pick and get moving!”

- Grace H.
Athens, Georgia USA

Via UGA Exercise is Medicine Club

“Since activity is my number one self-care strategy, my life simply isn’t the same without it. Activity not only keeps my mind and body healthy, it also allows me to connect with friends and indulge my competitive side. I have a great group of friends that I train with, who help hold me accountable to training and keep me motivated to continue improving. I also routinely sign up for various races which helps to keep me motivated to get out there every morning.” 

- Amanda L.

Via What do dietitians think about weight, self-care and staying active? 

“I went through the gym phase years ago. I went twice and that was it. It wasn’t until I realized that I had not choice but to work out that my motivation kicked in. There’s nothing like the dreadful though that you may end up in a wheelchair [due to multiple sclerosis] to motivate you to move your butt.”

- Hina A., 47
Toronto, Ontario Canada

Read more about Hina’s willpower to keep physically active through Pilates after a multiple sclerosis diagnosis

“I think that most people think that I exercise everyday for the results. To try to have a six-pack, to try and gain muscle tone, to try to look ripped and look lean. But let me tell you something that that can’t be farther from the truth…with what we get thrown at us each and everyday with life, with what knocks us down with work, with what knocks us down with commuting to work, with what knocks us down with our kids, with what knocks us with all the activities are kids are in, with what else knocks us down with all the other stressors in life that in fact we are faced every single day and the time we live everything is constantly on the go…I exercise every single day so that I’m less stressed. I exercise every single day so I feel more confident. I exercise every single day so that I have more energy throughout the day and I’m not crashing in the middle of the morning or crashing in the middle of the afternoon or feel completely exhausted, strung out, and stressed out every single day. I exercise so I could be the best father and the best husband and the best version of myself by living a healthy, fulfilling life.”  

- Coach Dave
Westchester, NY

"I workout, because of my physical condition...It took me a few years to heed [my surgeon's] advice, but things have been a bit more tolerable physically with my neck ever since I started my physical fitness journey to alleviate my ailment. I have done, and I am still doing things that I once thought impossible because of my neck. Dedication, research, and a little sweat have paid dividends in helping me combat my degenerative situation. My neck hasn't been the only beneficiary of my dedication. Because of my efforts, my overall physical fitness and general wellbeing have improved."

- Muldoon MadMan
Anchorage, AK

"What I'm trying to do in my life now is not define myself or let Parkinson's define who I am. I'm just choosing to focus on other activities and family and friends ... and learning how to impact and possibly change and hoping to reverse some of the symptoms — and that's through [meditation] and reading and exercise and painting."

- Robyn L., 43
British Columbia  Canada

Read more about Robyn's experience with Parkinson's and her new book, Most of Me: Surviving My Medical Meltdown