Back2Yourself

Hi Gabriela,
I'm happy to hear that you are feeling better from doing the exercise program. I appreciate your question asking if you can stop exercising. I appreciate it because it is beautifully honest and I think it expresses how many people feel about exercise -- that they do it because they have to, to feel better, but they don't really like it and would rather not continue. It is difficult for some to imagine exercising as part of their daily life for the rest of their life.

So, of course, you can stop exercising whenever you choose. The important thing to know is that the choice to not exercise is also a choice to not set your body up so that it will feel good. If you stop exercising, you may notice that you don't feel as well., but you may not notice this immediately. Eventually, the aches and pains will return, or begin to visit as you age. You may not feel as energetic. It is easy to overlook the connection between how you feel and not exercising, but often there is a very strong connection.

Ideally, you will include exercise as part of your daily (or a few times per week) routine. It is amazing how much a little exercise will benefit you. Once it is part of your regular daily life, you won't feel right without it. It not only makes you feel better physically but you may notice that it makes you feel better emotionally.

If I could wave my magic wand, I would wish for you to include some form of exercise as part of you regular life for the rest of your life and that it is a part of your day that you look forward to and enjoy!

I encourage you to stay with the exercise program for a few more months, even if you don't feel like it. If you do, I suspect you will not only be pain-free but you will feel much better overall, in ways that are difficult to describe and you will want to continue exercising.

Keep up the good work and please keep me posted,
Laura