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Welcome! Today we explore the question: Are workouts like medicine for the human body? There are many wonderful health benefits of working out, including feel good endorphins, long lasting health, and more! We hope you’ll enjoy the community! Subscribe to newsletter for future updates.
Are workouts like medicine?
Have you ever completed a tough workout and felt a big rush of energy and accomplishment, as if your body was thanking you? That’s exactly how I felt recently after pushing through a challenging hill climb in chilly weather. Man, it was tough! I’m sharing my experience with you because, honestly, workouts sometimes feel like medicine—not just for the body, but for the mind too.
My userame is Loseandmaintain, and I often vlog about the ups and downs of my weight loss journey and staying motivated. I was thinking about how exercise is more than just a way to burn calories or lose weight—it’s a powerful tool that can transform how we feel mentally.
Starting Out: The Struggle Is Real
This was my struggle today: It was early morning, and the temperature was hovering around 41 degrees Fahrenheit. For California, that’s downright cold. I was bundled up like an Eskimo, with extra jackets and sweaters, braving the icy wind. I had a big hill ahead of me, and my legs were already burning before I even began. The first 10 minutes were especially rough.
During that first 15 minutes or so, I really wanted to quit. My body was yelling at me, the cold was seeping through my jacket, and my mind kept telling me to turn around and go home. I just wanted to cuddle under my blankets with a hot cup of coffee. But I didn’t. I pushed through. And that’s where the magic started to happen.
The Mental Battle Of Exercise
Exercise isn’t just hard physically; it’s also a mental game. The first few minutes can feel unbearable, especially when you’re overweight or just starting out. For me, being obese means every step, can be a challenge. But it’s the choice to keep going that makes all the difference.
There’s also a moment during every workout when your brain says, “No more,” but you’ve got to tell yourself, “Just a little further.” That’s the moment that builds resilience.
The Turning Point: Getting past the mental block
After that tough start, something shifts. I began to warm up, even if the cold was still there. The muscles loosened, the breath steadied, and my mind started to clear. Slowly, the discomfort started to fade in the back of my mind.
At this point, the sun was rising, and the workout started to slowly become enjoyable. I started to feel warmer and enjoy the beauty around me as the sun rose and I could see more. My motivation began to kick in, and I realized I was stronger than I thought.
Endorphins: Let Nature’s Own Medicine pump you up!
One of the best parts of pushing through a tough workout is the endorphin rush. These natural chemicals lift your mood and ease pain as a tough workout goes on. The more longer the workout, the more likely you’ll feel them- creating a lighter, happier, even euphoric experience!
“By the end of the workout, I was tired but it was a good tired—like a soreness that felt like medicine.”
This feeling is hard to describe if you’ve never experienced it, but it’s like your body is thanking you for the effort. It’s a reminder that exercise isn’t punishment—it’s a gift.
Endorphins: Let Nature’s Own Medicine pump you up!
Exercise is often thought of as a way to lose weight or stay fit, but it’s so much more. It’s a reset button for your mind. When you’re feeling sad, angry, or frustrated, moving your body can help you release that toxic energy.
“I’ve been there—feeling down, angry, or just plain upset. Sometimes I don’t want to move at all. But after a long walk or a tough workout, even if I’m still upset, I feel calmer. The anger softens, the sadness lifts a bit, and I can think more clearly.“
That’s why I say workouts are like medicine. They heal not just your body, but your mind and soul.
The Emotional Rollercoaster of Motivation
Motivation is tricky. It comes and goes like waves. One minute you’re pumped, ready to conquer the world, and the next you feel like giving up. That’s normal. I struggle with it too.
This morning, I didn’t want to get out of bed. I thought, “What’s the point? I’m probably going to mess up my diet anyway.” But I still got up and went for that walk. Because even if I make mistakes, the workout helps me get back on track.
Think of exercise as your anchor. It keeps you grounded when everything else feels chaotic.
Overcoming Obstacles: My Personal Journey
I want to be honest with you: I’m obese. Saying that out loud isn’t easy, but it’s the truth. Carrying extra weight makes every workout tougher. Hills feel like mountains, and long distances feel endless.
But that hasn’t stopped me. I’m out there, clocking over an hour of walking and climbing hills. It’s hard. It’s exhausting. But the feeling of accomplishment when I’m done? Priceless.
Here’s what I’ve learned:
Start where you are: Don’t compare yourself to others. Your journey is unique.
Celebrate small wins: Every step forward is progress.
Push through the tough moments: That’s where growth happens.
Be kind to yourself: Motivation fluctuates, and that’s okay.
The Science Behind Exercise as Medicine
There’s plenty of research supporting the idea that exercise acts like medicine. Regular physical activity helps reduce the risk of chronic diseases, improves mental health, and boosts overall well-being.
Here’s why it works:
- Endorphin release: Exercise triggers the production of endorphins, which are natural painkillers and mood elevators.
- Improved circulation: Moving your body increases blood flow, delivering oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and organs.
- Stress reduction: Physical activity lowers levels of stress hormones like cortisol.
- Better sleep: Regular exercise promotes deeper, more restful sleep, which is essential for recovery.
- Enhanced cognitive function: Exercise boosts brain function and can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
So when I say workouts feel like medicine, I’m not just talking about a feeling—I’m talking about real, physiological benefits that improve your quality of life.
Keeping the Momentum Going
One of the hardest parts about fitness is maintaining motivation over time. After a great workout, the rush of energy and accomplishment can be addictive. You want to hold on to that feeling as long as possible.
But motivation ebbs and flows. Sometimes you’ll feel on top of the world, and other times you’ll feel stuck. The key is to keep moving forward, even on the tough days. Here are some tips that help me:
- Set realistic goals: Break your big goals into smaller, achievable steps.
- Track your progress: Whether it’s time, distance, or how you feel, keeping a record can motivate you.
- Mix it up: Try different workouts to keep things interesting.
- Find support: Join communities or workout with friends to stay accountable.
- Listen to your body: Rest when you need it, and celebrate your efforts.
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Medicine of Movement
Exercise isn’t always easy. It can be cold, tiring, and downright painful at times. But it’s also incredibly rewarding. That feeling of pushing through the pain, warming up, and finishing strong is something I cherish.
Workouts truly are like medicine. They heal, strengthen, and uplift us physically and mentally. If you’re struggling with motivation, remember that every step counts. Even if you slip up with your diet or feel like you’re not making progress, moving your body resets your mind and gets you back on track.
So, whatever your fitness level or goals, I encourage you to get out there and move. Climb that hill, take that walk, do that workout. Your body and mind will thank you.
Stay motivated, keep pushing, and celebrate every victory—big or small. You’ve got this!
Wishing you all the best on your journey,
CreationMotivation
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Transcript
00:01 have you ever felt really good after a
00:03 workout and realized exercising is like
00:07 medicine I just felt like asking that
00:09 because I feel that working out is just
00:13 I was thinking I was on my workout today
00:15 I was climbing up this horrible Hill my
00:18 legs were burning they were hurting and
00:21 I was just like I want to turn around
00:23 and quit right
00:25 now but I didn’t I just kept going I
00:28 kept pushing and it’s especially the
00:30 first 10 minutes oh my gosh that was
00:33 painful it was really cold too it was in
00:35 the 40s low 40s it was a round 41 when I
00:40 went out which for California that’s
00:43 pretty cold it was 41 so I just pushed
00:47 myself and S out anyways and that those
00:50 first 10 minutes were brutal I’ll tell
00:53 you I felt the icy wind and it was like
00:56 cold okay for California that’s really
00:59 cold but I know for other States people
01:01 are like are you crazy that’s that’s hot
01:04 for us that’s warm but for uh me you
01:06 know it’s cold I had to bundle up pretty
01:09 good I put extra jackets and sweaters
01:12 and I looked like an Eskimo
01:14 basically and then by the middle of it I
01:19 was not feeling it I was still cold but
01:21 I did warm up a bit and I was thinking I
01:23 want to turn around and I just want to
01:25 go home and I want to wrap up into under
01:28 the covers and get warm but I didn’t I
01:30 kept going I kept pushing it was
01:33 difficult for sure but by the end of the
01:36 workout I don’t know some I guess maybe
01:39 it was the sun coming up cuz sun hadn’t
01:41 risen yet but maybe it was the mixture
01:43 of that the sun coming up endorphins
01:46 maybe start activating and just the just
01:49 knowing that you’re almost done that
01:52 feeling is just amazing where you just
01:54 feel accomplished and finish something
01:57 and your motivation is up your tired but
02:01 feels good it’s like a good tired it’s a
02:04 good soreness that comes over you and
02:06 over time really does feel like medicine
02:10 I know that sounds weird as much as I
02:13 gripe over it and eat on it and think
02:16 it’s the most annoying thing that I have
02:18 to do periodically just to lose weight
02:20 or just to stay healthy and Rain a
02:23 healthy weight I just kind of eat it but
02:27 it’s like medicine it’s freeing it’s it
02:31 feels great it feels
02:33 great sometimes not so much like I’ve
02:36 said before but it feels amazing your
02:40 body just responds so well to it your
02:44 muscles feel worked out and mentally
02:47 also is it’s amazing too you could feel
02:50 so bad at the beginning you could feel
02:54 sad depressed angry anger is another
02:57 thing you could be really pissed off but
02:60 at the the end of a nice walk nice long
03:03 walk where you just really flush it out
03:06 or you know even running on the
03:07 treadmill or doing a video or something
03:10 at the end of it you just feel better
03:12 you feel more relaxed calmer maybe
03:16 you’re still upset but at least you got
03:19 some of that toxic energy out you know
03:22 what I mean I don’t know this just a
03:24 short little video I decided to talk
03:27 about because I was feeling that right
03:29 now I feel it currently I’m sitting in
03:32 my car after doing this it was over an
03:35 hour I think I clocked it at an hour 35
03:40 minutes and I just went up these big
03:43 hills and for me at my weight I am obese
03:47 sorry it’s the truth I hate to say that
03:50 word but I’m very overweight so for me
03:54 going for that distance is difficult
03:58 very difficult sorry I can’t can’t say
04:00 the word difficult for some reason but
04:02 it’s difficult for me so I pushed myself
04:05 I got out there I did it and I feel
04:08 accomplished I feel great and I just
04:11 holding on to that feeling and I don’t
04:14 want it to go but you know that’s the
04:17 weird thing about motivation is it
04:18 really comes and goes one minute you’re
04:21 feeling so pumped and energetic and
04:24 motivated and then the next minute
04:25 you’re just down and depressed and you
04:28 don’t want to do anything and it doesn’t
04:30 sound worth it you know like this
04:33 morning I didn’t want to get up and I
04:36 was like what’s the point what’s the
04:38 point of getting out there and walking
04:40 around I’m I’m probably just going to
04:43 make a mistake and eat something I
04:45 shouldn’t and cancel out the whole
04:46 workout so what is the point of doing it
04:49 but there’s always a point there always
04:51 is a point to do it because you feel
04:54 better it gets you back on track it
04:56 resets your thinking even if you do make
04:58 a mistake that’s calor
05:00 you burn and takes it out of the
05:03 equation right even if you eat them back
05:07 it’s still my if you don’t do that
05:08 workout those calories are going to be
05:10 extra so that’s my view on it and you
05:13 know I I’m really just trying to keep
05:16 this feeling and be focused and yeah so
05:19 happy goal getting be motivated this is
05:22 a you know a random Vlog podcast thing I
05:27 decided to do so have a great day and
05:30 accomplish something something small
05:33 something big whatever you’d like thank
05:35 you have a good one
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