# Does exercise feel physically good to you? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 24, 2009, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-exercise-feel-physically-good-to-you/487283 "2009-02-24T21:58:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Karyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/fbc32d/32.png) [@Karyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karyn)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-exercise-feel-physically-good-to-you/487283/61 "2009-02-25T14:32:52Z")
> [@Anne\_Neville](#): > > I’ve never gotten this feeling from eating junk food, either. I do. I so rarely eat white carbs, especially with sugar, that I get a horrible crash afterward when I do. I want to keep eating even though I’m full, my hands get shaky and I get a headache and feel queasy for hours. The carbs alone don’t do it (even though I don’t like white bread), and the sugar alone in small quantities is fine but more than a very small amount of both combined together ruins my day. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-exercise-feel-physically-good-to-you/487283/62 "2009-02-25T14:41:10Z")
I feel good about having exercised because I know I’ve burned off some calories and done myself some good. No “runner’s high” though. However if I’m stressed and upset about something before I hit the treadmill, it really _does_ help me feel better. I guess those endorphins do kick in if I need them badly enough. Physically good? not a chance, unfortunately! ---
**Author:** ![pbbth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f9ae1b/32.png) [@pbbth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pbbth)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-exercise-feel-physically-good-to-you/487283/63 "2009-02-25T14:44:50Z")
> [@Anne\_Neville](#): > > I’ve never gotten this feeling from eating junk food, either. I’m with Anne Neville on this one. Beyond the fact that junk food doesn’t make me feel bad health foods don’t make me feel good either. ---
**Author:** ![CrimeThink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90db22/32.png) [@CrimeThink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrimeThink)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-exercise-feel-physically-good-to-you/487283/64 "2009-02-25T15:00:20Z")
I weightlift and the slight soreness the next day is a wonderful feeling. When I first started it was just painful and sharp but after I started consistantly working out it became more of a dull, warm and pleasant feeling the entire next day. The workout itself is not a particularly pleasant feeling. ---
**Author:** ![GillianBoardman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc79bd/32.png) [@GillianBoardman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GillianBoardman)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-exercise-feel-physically-good-to-you/487283/65 "2009-02-25T15:07:32Z")
Nope, exercise never makes me feel good, not during and not after. I’m not in good shape now, but even back in my teens it was torturous. I have to join a class to make myself do it, because it always feels like a punishment to me. ---
**Author:** ![Kyyrewyyoae](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Kyyrewyyoae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyyrewyyoae)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-exercise-feel-physically-good-to-you/487283/66 "2009-02-25T15:32:33Z")
I was in the Marines for 5 years, and I had to run 3 times or more per week, usually distances of 3-5 miles. I found it miserable every time, despite frequent proclamations from the people in charge that it would get easier or make me feel good. Some of that was probably my mental resistance to it, but I certainly never had good physical sensations, either during or after. I got out after my term was up in 2004 and I haven’t run since. ---
**Author:** ![DogMom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9c0ed/32.png) [@DogMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DogMom)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-exercise-feel-physically-good-to-you/487283/67 "2009-02-25T16:04:13Z")
> [@amarinth](#): > > But other kinds, no. No exercise high. No physical or emotional feeling of good or well-being. In fact, sometimes I end up in a post exercise depression (fighting back tears on the drive home and mentally unable to do anything at all once I get there. Even with an easy workout) And it doesn’t matter how in shape I am. :eek: Holy cow, I thought I was the only one who felt like this! When I used to exercise daily (or at least 3-4 times per week) I never, ever, EVER felt better afterward. I’d always feel like crap, depressed and exhausted. No, I wasn’t over-doing, either. Didn’t “feel great later”, either - and I didn’t feel worse when I stopped exercising regularly. I’d be exhausted, depressed and to make matters worse…you know how when you stop exercising and think, “wow, I’m gonna sleep good _tonight!_” - yeah…not. I’d be awake all night, exhausted and desperately hoping I could at least get SOME sleep. I hate exercising. But I’m going to go back to it anyway, because I need to, it’s good for my overall physical health, and it’s really the only way I do _something_ besides work-eat-sleep on a regular basis. ---
**Author:** ![DogMom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e9c0ed/32.png) [@DogMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DogMom)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-exercise-feel-physically-good-to-you/487283/68 "2009-02-25T16:10:04Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > I would recommend to people who think exercise really doesn’t do anything but make them feel bad to keep their nose to the grindstone. There were times when I literally felt terrible for 2 or 3 days after a ridiculously light workout, but slowly but surely my fitness level has risen. The human body is capable of so much more than most people think, it’s absurd. Okay…how long? I was exercising regularly (and I mean at least 4 times a week at the gym, swimming, walking EVERY day, riding my bike everywhere I could) for several years, and not ONCE have I noticed it’s done anything except make me feel like crap. Well, okay, and helped me lose weight. Great, that’s why I’d like to start again, but honestly…exercising has _always_ made me feel terrible. ETA: Boy, on re-read this post sounds a lot more hostile and confrontational than I intended. Sorry, I don’t mean to be getting in your face about it, honestly. I genuinely do want to know, because I’d _love_ to feel like not-crap after exercising. That’d help enormously in getting me to **want** to do something that I know I **should** do. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-exercise-feel-physically-good-to-you/487283/69 "2009-02-25T16:16:21Z")
Makes me feel very good, gets the blood flowing. It’s hard getting started sometimes though, laziness fights for it’s place. ---
**Author:** ![XJETGIRLX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/9fc29f/32.png) [@XJETGIRLX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XJETGIRLX)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-exercise-feel-physically-good-to-you/487283/70 "2009-02-25T16:19:01Z")
> [@Cisco](#): > > I would recommend to people who think exercise really doesn’t do anything but make them feel bad to keep their nose to the grindstone. There were times when I literally felt terrible for 2 or 3 days after a ridiculously light workout, but slowly but surely my fitness level has risen. The human body is capable of so much more than most people think, it’s absurd. Unless there’s something physically wrong with you. Sometimes pain and feeling like shit is your body’s way of telling you to stop doing something. The body is capable of a lot in terms of positive achievement, but it’s also capable of a lot in terms of being completely screwed up. We are not all built to be athletic machines. For some of us it is physically impossible. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-exercise-feel-physically-good-to-you/487283/71 "2009-02-25T16:24:35Z")
> [@XJETGIRLX](#): > > Unless there’s something physically wrong with you. Sometimes pain and feeling like shit is your body’s way of telling you to stop doing something. > > The body is capable of a lot in terms of positive achievement, but it’s also capable of a lot in terms of being completely screwed up. We are not all built to be athletic machines. For some of us it is physically impossible. This makes me wonder–are some people just better at stamina and so on than others? Like, I’ve been running for years, but I don’t really go all that fast for long distances. Right now the most I run all at once is 3/4 of a mile (and then walk/run additional laps) and that first 3/4 usually takes me about 7 minutes which doesn’t seem all that fast. And even back when I would do a mile run all at once (and then walk/run any additional laps), I don’t think I was running it in “good time” for an athlete. Even though I feel pretty physically fit and good about myself. ---
**Author:** ![Mojo\_Pin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Mojo\_Pin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mojo_Pin)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-exercise-feel-physically-good-to-you/487283/72 "2009-02-25T16:40:33Z")
I ran cross country freshman and sophomore year, not because I really liked running then, but because I sucked way more at every other sport. I got to enjoy running though, not enough to go out and run a marathon, or even get motivated to run every single day, but I remember a couple practices, running ~6 miles in perfect weather, tired and out of breath, and feeling alive and good and happy. That got me into shape, but when I started wrestling, “pushing yourself” and “adrenaline rush” took on entirely new meanings. I don’t think you’re never as alive as you are the moment you’re straining every muscle you have to get out of a pin. That said I’m still the laziest bum ever off season. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-exercise-feel-physically-good-to-you/487283/73 "2009-02-25T16:49:18Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > This makes me wonder–are some people just better at stamina and so on than others? Like, I’ve been running for years, but I don’t really go all that fast for long distances. Right now the most I run all at once is 3/4 of a mile (and then walk/run additional laps) and that first 3/4 usually takes me about 7 minutes which doesn’t seem all that fast. And even back when I would do a mile run all at once (and then walk/run any additional laps), I don’t think I was running it in “good time” for an athlete. Even though I feel pretty physically fit and good about myself. Just as you have Olympic champions, you have people who are born to not move and everything in between.you may be a natural born swimmer who’s trying to run, etc. Plus, you can be a terrific sprinter and not be able to run a mile without much difficulty. Add in the non athlete type and you have quite a mix. ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-exercise-feel-physically-good-to-you/487283/74 "2009-02-25T16:52:43Z")
> [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > I wouldn’t really describe it as a runner’s high, just a general feeling good after I run that lasts for most of the rest of the day I get that too, not a high, but a nice all over feeling. I don’t run though, just take nice long walks at a brisk pace. ---
**Author:** ![yellowval](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/919ad9/32.png) [@yellowval](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yellowval)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-exercise-feel-physically-good-to-you/487283/75 "2009-02-25T17:02:20Z")
When I first started trying to get back into shape, it wasn’t fun at all. It was always better after the first five minutes or so, and as I got into better shape, my workouts became easier and more fun. Now I get crabby if I miss one. Working out has also become a habit for me. It’s just what I do after work, kind of like getting up and going to work, cooking dinner, watching LOST on Wednesday nights, taking the dog out, or what have you. Now I enjoy it, most of the time. Sometimes my workout is the best part of my day. When I’m stressed out from work or whatever, I seem to get the biggest high from working out. My stress melts away and I leave the gym in a much better mood than when I arrived. Which is good, because half the time when I arrive I’m pissed off or stressing about something. Other times, it’s not great, but it’s totally worth it in the long run. I’d gladly endure a little pain to keep off the 30 pounds that I’ve lost. ---
**Author:** ![Karyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/fbc32d/32.png) [@Karyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karyn)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-exercise-feel-physically-good-to-you/487283/76 "2009-02-25T17:10:14Z")
I love dance aerobics now but when I was heavy I hated it. My body just wasn’t in shape enough to do much of anything without feeling miserable after a few minutes. Nothing was enjoyable. My favorite exercise is doing hard work like brush clearing around our property. I like the idea of getting enough exercise doing my normal daily activities not to have to set aside time to work out in nice weather, and as a result of working outside my property looks better and better. ---
**Author:** ![Cisco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ccd318/32.png) [@Cisco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cisco)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-exercise-feel-physically-good-to-you/487283/77 "2009-02-25T17:23:49Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > you may be a natural born swimmer who’s trying to run, etc. That is a GREAT point. I tried and failed miserably for years to get in shape by running and lifting weights. When I got a bike and started riding it literally felt like I was designed specifically to do that. I have become, with a lot of work, a decent runner and weightlifter, but I am, with almost nothing I would define as “effort”, a GOOD cyclist. Keep throwing stuff at the wall until something sticks, people. Believe it or not it will eventually happen. ---
**Author:** ![minor7flat5](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minor7flat5/32/258_2.png) [@minor7flat5](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minor7flat5)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-exercise-feel-physically-good-to-you/487283/78 "2009-02-25T17:24:53Z")
Anyone who’s on a beta blocker (mentioned by **XJETGIRLX** upthread a bit) and struggling through what used to be a light workout might want to ask their doctor if there is an alternative drug that accomplishes the same goal without the sluggishness. When I told my doc I was a runner, he told me flat out he wasn’t going to prescribe a beta blocker for my BP because he had done so before and the runners always came back complaining; he gave me something different. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-exercise-feel-physically-good-to-you/487283/79 "2009-02-25T18:45:30Z")
> [@runner pat](#): > > Just as you have Olympic champions, you have people who are born to not move and everything in between.you may be a natural born swimmer who’s trying to run, etc. Plus, you can be a terrific sprinter and not be able to run a mile without much difficulty. Add in the non athlete type and you have quite a mix. True. I’m never going to be a great runner–I don’t think I’m going to make great times or anything like that. But I still like seeing my improvements, I like the way I feel after I push myself, I like being able to go even though I thought I was too tired to do as much, and I like the tone in my legs as well. For those who really hate it, does it have to do with how out of shape you were beforehand? I was pretty thin, but not really all that active, when I started, but it didn’t take long before I was enjoying it and it got easier. ---
**Author:** ![EmAnJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d2c977/32.png) [@EmAnJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EmAnJ)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2009, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-exercise-feel-physically-good-to-you/487283/80 "2009-02-25T18:46:51Z")
I’ve been told that about beta blockers as well, **minor7flat5**. For those of you who feel headachy and sick after a workout, you may not be breathing properly or drinking enough water. People in general don’t drink enough water as it is, and if you add a sweat session in there, you’re going to get dehydrated, which leads to headaches. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-exercise-feel-physically-good-to-you/487283.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-exercise-feel-physically-good-to-you/487283.md?page=5)