Life Pro Tips

I saw a post this morning on LPT asking people who exercise regularly what it has done to benefit them, but it was removed for not being a LPT/request. I saw a lot of similar stories to my own and wanted to bring the topic back in proper LPT form to share my story and hopefully convince you (yes you, reading this right now!) why you should be exercising regularly and how much it may benefit you, as it has benefitted me greatly.

I started daily exercise almost 6 months ago. I was deeply depressed about life, having to work as an adult, losing my gf, etc. Looked at the scale and I was 250 (highest I've ever been, always hovered around 220-240 since middleschool). Every day it seemed like I had a new ache somewhere; my shoulder would hurt for weeks, then it was my knee.

I knew I was going to blow my brains out by 30 if I didn't do something. Can't just wish a billion dollars into my bank account to solve most of my problems, so I changed what I could: my habits. Started with light exercise and stretching before work. Just a 30 sec plank, 10 push-ups and crunches, some hamstring stretches etc. Whatever I could muster... and just built up from there

Now, nearly 6 months later, I'm up to 30-60mins of actual strength training/bodybuilding before work and 30mins mobility and stretching exercises before bed.

I'm 50lbs lighter, my body looks more toned, my mental health is LEAGUES better (I didn't take well to therapy and don't want to start medication, but exercise has flipped a switch in me), I have tons more energy, I eat healthier, I remember to brush my teeth daily, stopped biting my fingernails, feel more confident and better about my life, etc.

Some days I still struggle in my head, but it's much easier to not spiral into deep depression now. I take care of how I look and feel good about it. I actually feel like I accomplish something every day instead of just getting up to go to work for somebody else. Exercise has made me feel like a main character and not just like an NPC.

If you related at all to this story and are feeling down in life, even if you don't feel like you have the energy to get started. Do SOMETHING that's challenging for your body. It can be before work or before bed, it can be light or heavy, planned or "winging it," Half-assed or full-assed.

You probably already know this, but humans need exercise to fully feel human so if you have tried everything else and can't bring yourself up, please give it a try 🙏

Tl;dr: you need exercise, your monkey brain will thank you.