Why Do You Exercise?

Philosopher Eric Hoffer once said “We need not only a purpose in life to give meaning to our existence but also something to give meaning to our suffering. We need as much something to suffer for as something to live for.” Existentialists and philosophers around the world agree that the struggle to find meaning is the “primary motivational force in man”. This motivational force drives our decision making, behavior and intent to pursue a career, relationship and exercise. This begs the question “Why do you Exercise??”

The American Heritage Dictionary defines exercise as “activity that requires physical or mental exertion, especially when performed to develop or maintain fitness”. Exercise Scientists and researchers have found that exercise plays a major role in enhancing strength, cardiovascular fitness as well as reducing stress and symptoms of depression. The challenge of completing the last set, embarking on a greater speed during a cardio sprint or even completing the most difficult aerobic dance combination can generate feelings of accomplishment, satisfaction and control for the exerciser. Accepting and successfully completing these challenges can certainly help elevate mood and improve self esteem for the exerciser (if only for the moment). Exercise also serves as a release of stress related energy and a distraction from the real world outside the gym.

Digging deeper into the motivational factors surrounding exercise, researchers have found that exercise can be intrinsically motivated as a “free expression of one’s being in the world” (completed for pure enjoyment and personal satisfaction) or it can be extrinsically motivated to facilitate an “adaptation to a social environment that defines personal worth in terms of physical fitness”. In a society where physical features are often rewarded and revered it is not surprising that society’s dictates of beauty and fitness can have an influence on our reasons for exercising. When our motivation for exercise is focused on striving for society’s limited standard of beauty the positive benefits of exercise may be thwarted and the negative psychological effects of extrinsically motivated exercise, such as lower self esteem, social physique anxiety and body dissatisfaction, will often persist.

It is important that we recognize the impact that exercise motivation can have on the outcome of our personal exercise programs. If we realize that we are exercising for the wrong reasons we must take action immediately. Some steps to steer us in the right direction include the following:

Choose a form of exercise that you enjoy

Identify goals that are intrinsically motivated (health, energy, happiness, stress relief)

Celebrate small victories every exercise session (i.e. completed more reps, ran at a faster pace, successfully completed a new exercise class)

Surround yourself with positive people that are working toward similar goals so you can encourage each other.

Celebrate your individuality – your curves, your style, your attitude as it makes you unique and interesting

Challenge yourself to a new physical activity each month or quarter

Try to mix in a mind/body exercise discipline into your routine (yoga, tai chi, pilates, etc.)

Understand that “looking good” and losing weight “come with the territory” of living a healthy and active lifestyle

Take control of your diet by giving your body the healthy “fuel” it deserves
Consider exercise as that “special time” to take care of yourself.

References
Exercise. (n.d.). The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Retrieved April 27, 2008, from Dictionary.com website: HYPERLINK "http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Exercise"http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Exercise
Berger, B. (1994, February). Coping with stress: the effectiveness of exercise and other techniques. Quest (00336297), 46(1), 100-119. Retrieved April 15, 2008, from SPORTDiscus with Full Text database.
Fahlberg, L., Fahlberg, L., & Gates, W. (1992, June). Exercise and Existence: Exercise Behavior From an Existential-Phenomenological Perspective. Sport Psychologist, 6(2), 172-191. Retrieved April 27, 2008, from SPORTDiscus with Full Text database.
Paluska, S., & Schwenk, T. (2000, March). Physical activity and mental health: current concepts. / Activite physique et sante mentale: concepts actuels. Sports Medicine, 29(3), 167-180. Retrieved April 14, 2008, from SPORTDiscus with Full Text database.
Hoffer, E (1902–1983), U.S. philosopher. Reflections on the Human Condition, aph. 153 (1973).
Strelan P, Mehaffey SJ, Tiggemann M. Self-objectification and esteem in young women: The mediating role of reasons for exercise. Sex Roles. 2003;48( 1):89-95.
Thøgersen-Ntoumani, C., & Ntoumanis, N. (2006, April). The role of self-determined motivation in the understanding of exercise-related behaviours, cognitions and physical self-evaluations. Journal of Sports Sciences, 24(4), 393-404. Retrieved April 27, 2008, from SPORTDiscus with Full Text database.
Wattles, M. (2001, April). The Role of the Exercise Physiologist in Mental Health. Professionalization of Exercise Physiology, 4(4), 2-2. Retrieved April 14, 2008, from SPORTDiscus with Full Text database.