Why do I exercise? When do I exercise? Where do I exercise? How do I exercise? What drives and motivates me to exercise? This is what I am wondering about myself as I stand at my desk and stare outside at the sunny southland sky. So when I came to answer these questions for myself, I thought it might be a good idea to put it out into the interweb to help others think about there what, when, where, why and how’s of exercise.

I like to think of motivation as the forces within and/or around each person that account for the level, direction, and persistence of, or absence of effort. This can be influenced by how people differ in their personalities, abilities, self-concept, values, and needs.  There are different overarching types of motivation those being intrinsic and extrinsic, being internally “pushed” or externally “pulled” respectively. There is no right or wrong… there just is 🙂

Once again this blog is about thought provocation in the pursuit of self-betterment. Do you exercises to help manage and curb the inner angst and turmoil associated with a hectic lifestyle? Is it to avoid the “bad” and get the “good” benefits for health, daily homeostasis and self-existence? Is it for solidarity, comradery and social interaction? Or is it a complementary exercise or for a competitive advantage? Fundamentally at our core, most of us have a desire and drive to be a better existence of ourselves, but what ever your reasons, the good thing is you’re out exercising (and if you’re not then it’s a GREAT time to start) and getting the myriad of benefits associated with it.

Over the past few years there have been a growing number of outdoor events or exercise in natural environments – the trail running boom, godzone (and the like) races, colour runs and tough mudda courses and the term Green Exercise (not specifically the colour but more so the co-existence of nature and exercise) has come about. Research shows that green exercises has additive psychological benefits when compared to other activities and these include enhanced mental wellbeing and reduced psychophysiological stress. Green exercise helps shift attention to external cuing like the trees, birds, waterfalls etc. rather than internal cues like fatigue and perceived exertion.

So whatever your reasons, whether you are pulled or pushed the reasons are yours to embrace.  I look forward to seeing you out and about getting your exercise groove on :). If your think you might start or do something new tomorrow, just remember, TODAY is yesterday’s tomorrow!

Until next time,

Keep Safe and Happy Running 

Joel

Physiotherapist & Exercise Scientist

Certified Professional with “The Running Clinic”