Both fatigue and depression are supposed to be lessened when you exercise.

It’s not a lighthearted suggestion — it’s hard fact, proven by science time and time again.

But really, you try telling someone who is overweight to the point of BMI obesity, who feels like their body is being dragged down by a lead blanket, and who is feeling terribly sorry for themselves, that they need to get up and run on a treadmill or elliptical trainer for at least 20 minutes and see how compliant they are…

The inner voices in my head weren’t exactly cheering for “Team Rae” when I reminded them that if I want a GOOD LIFE, I would drag my ass off the couch and head in to my local YMCA for a daily dose of exercise – but that’s just what I did on Monday for 20 minutes on the elliptical trainer, and again on Tuesday for 20 on the treadmill, and Wednesday for signing up with the weight program.

Wednesday was when we made some real strides by signing up for ActivTrax, a program that will tell you what exercises to do on what machine, and how much food to eat, to ensure that you’re doing the right things for optimal health.

For example, yesterday, I found out that I have really weak deltoids — could only lift 30 pounds 3 times — but my legs are monsters! I can do 160 on leg presses without even really trying!

So even though I’m sore today, I’m proud of myself.  And oddly, I do feel a little less like I’m wearing a great big lead vest, and I’m actually looking forward to going back to the gym to work out again.

Immediate results in both the fatigue and depression areas.  You can’t argue with results like that.

So, to whomever is reading this, I challenge you to get some exercise in today, even if it’s just boogying down to your favorite song on the radio.  It’ll do you some good. I promise.