Exercise & Better Self-Esteem

According to one study in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine, people who exercise regularly have better self-esteem. When exercise stopped, self-esteem regressed. There have been many studies that report improved mental health as well as physical health through exercise. From my own experience I would have to validate this study.

I do excercise regularly. Well, mostly. At times I am more of a sporadic exerciser. It seems to become sporadic in busy times - around holidays, when the workload piles up, when the kids have lots going on. Interestingly, these are the times when it is likely needed more than others - at least mentally. I usually run or ride a recumbant bike for aerobic exercise then do weight training to work my muscles. Nothing major, just some resistance training. Exercise takes time so it's easy for folks to say there is no time. Funny, though, how there is always time to watch that favorite television show or chat online with friends or go shopping or have coffee with a neighbor or do other "me" stuff. All of those things may be good things to do to relax and unwind too but can't we can find time for a little exercise?

If you ask me it is a major player in our feelings of self esteem. Big time. I totally feel better about myself when I am exercising. Whether I look any better in the mirror or not isn't the only thing that causes me to feel better about myself, it's also about knowing that I simply did it; that it's good for me and in some way or another it's benefiting me.

Feeling good about myself gives me confidence. I like myself more when I'm exercising. When I exercise I am taking responsibility for my health and I respect myself for that. It takes determination sometimes to make myself trudge down to the basement for that workout or venture outside for a run. I sometimes have to push myself pretty hard to continue on with a workout when I really feel like going to bed so I have to have perseverance. But it's all worth it for in the end I feel so much better - happy with myself - after that hour - or even half an hour sometimes when I'm crunched for time. My clothes fit. I don't get winded when I climb the stairs. I don't look in the mirror and say "I should really start exercising." It's all good when I'm in my exercise routine.

What do you think? Does exercise help your self-esteem? Why do you think this way? And if you don't exercise, how might your self-esteem be different or better if you did?