I used to shudder at the sound of the word exercise. I couldn’t understand why anyone would want to put themselves through something so sweaty, sticky, and gruesome. Plus, I was always slim so, in my mind, I didn’t have much incentive to work out.
After battling depression for five years and reading tons of self-help books, I started looking for practical and healthy ways to lift my mood. Almost everything I read suggested exercise, and that’s when it dawned on me that working out wasn’t just about weight loss. There are lots of reasons people love going to the gym or breaking out their own equipment at home, and one just happens to be the happy-making endorphins that come along with exercise.
Once I started working out, I quickly came to the conclusion that it’s far from overhyped or overrated. It’s worth the time, sweat, and muscle aches. But going from not working out at all to exercising three times a week takes some effort. Here are my best tips for getting there yourself.