Exercise!

WOW!  I am having a hard time keeping to my exercise routine.  I've fallen off the wagon for a few months.  First, in July I had a nasty fall.  And that fall has contributed to my knee feeling weak/painful after exercising. Second, my anemia has been giving me a lot of trouble, resulting in sleepless nights and rendering me too tired to get up in the morning and exercise.  I know that it is as simple as setting an alarm and getting up early.  Help me get my motivation back guys...I am falling so far off the wagon.  My clothes still fit and I am still thin, having lost about 37 lbs. but I know I cannot stay thin if I dont' exercise.  HELP!

Of course you can stay thin without exercise!  Most weight loss success comes from what you eat.  As long as you're keeping up with healthy eating habits and keeping even a small deficit (even though you're more sedentary now) you'll continue to lose weight slowly.

I've been suffering from insomnia for about a year and a half, the last few months being the worst.  By the time work was over I had just enough energy to drive myself home and relax.  I have recently been to a doctor and am slowly regaining my energy, but I'm not 100%.

It's important to let your body recover and deal with the issues you're having.  Stressing out about it will only lead to comfort-eating, and give you less motivation to keep up with what habits you are able to maintain.  Do what you can for exercise, but even if it's none or very little, be sure to continue taking care of your body :)

SAMANTHA,

    I needed this boost.  You do not have any idea how much I needed your words, and someone else going through this!!  Thank you so much!  You are definitely right about sticking to healthy habits.  That's critical while trying to stay trim without exercise.  It's also comforting to read this from you, since you are suffering from insomnia as well.  Thank you so much!!

Although I don't agree entirly with Samantha, she has a good point.  Yes, we do need to excersice as well as a healthy diet, but your body will tell you when it's had enough as well. 

Take it slow to begin with.  After an injory it's hard to get back into the swing of things.  Start off with just some light excersice, enough to make you feel good about yourself but not so much that you're putting yourself in pain.  Even if you just do a fast walk around the block you've done something to be proud of. 

For me it's refusing to get the bus or a taxi from town to work no matter how crap the weather or how tired I am.  It's about a mile.  Also, I never walk up the slope on the West side of the building, I always take the stairs on the East side.  If there's no hurry to be somewhere in the building, I'll take the stairs, even to the third level (that's quite alot of stairs.  I often check protected fire roots are clear, so that's more stairs. 

I don't do alot of exersice these days, but when I'm at work I stay very active. 

Just to clarify - I do believe exercise is very important and a key element in being healthy.  I don't want to push it aside like it isn't necessary or it's something you should only do if you feel like it!

However, I am an advocate in listening to your body!  I agree with Jenny, that you should do what you can but not so much that you're putting yourself in pain!

Maintaining a healthy diet will keep you where you are, along with whatever exercise you can muster, until you're ready to get back in the game!

Ultimately, there's no reason to completely give up just because you have to take it easy for now :)

Oh guys I do agree that exercise is VERY important.  It was critical to me being where I am right now.  But I've had a rough go of it lately and it's been very hard for me to stay on track!  Thanks again ladies.