Does Working Out Wear You Out?

A true workout usually leaves me feeling energized. If I've had an actual workout, I have a feeling of being worn out when I first finish but it is soon replaced by a feeling of being energized. When I first finish a workout (please note that actual workouts are few and far between) all I want to do is sit down. But I do feel better. I feel happier and recharged. My mood is most improved and I don't dread whatever is on my agenda for that day. Sadly, I rarely exercise. I walk the dog daily- twice, actually. Sometimes we walk quickly but it's not true exercise. I talk myself out of walking a long way nearly every time. I prefer to get a workout done quickly as I don't really care for it. 

Here come the excuses: 

1. I have allergies that flare up and when they do, I can barely breathe under normal circumstances must less while exerting energy. Of course, this is not year 'round. But it is difficult and leads to hacking my head off which I hate because my coughing feels violent at times. 
2. Another excuse is I am fearful of falling down which I've done twice while trying to run. I fell over the dog both times. Not his fault, it was mine for going into the supposed zone and not paying attention. Every time I fall, it's weeks or months before I can get back to it and, by then, I don't want to anymore because I have convinced myself not to or because I have to start all over again and that gets old. 
3. The heat in this area factors into my desire to exercise as well. It's difficult to breathe in this heat while sitting so, walking fast, running, or otherwise working out is close to impossible.

The main obstacle, the one that has me using the above-mentioned excuses, is a total lack of motivation due to laziness. I am one of those people who wants to be fit and trim without the effort. Which is why I am not fit and trim. I am the laziest person I know. I don't like it, but I am that way. Unless of course, it's something I really want to do. Then, suddenly, I have the motivation and the energy. Go figure. Regardless, I still hold out hope that one day, even though I am the age I am, I will change my lazy ways and get myself together and be fit and trim.    

All that being said, the bridge run was this past weekend. It was the 39th year of the Cooper River Bridge Run. I enjoyed the spectacle from my living room chair where I saw men and women in wheelchairs start the race and two people- a man and a woman- go the distance in their exoskeletons. I watched many overweight people either running, walking, or a combination of both. I watch the elite runners too. Everyone impressed me. They also put my excuses to shame. And so, my dearest and closest friend in the world and I are starting to train for next year. We're getting off our big butts and we're throwing our excuses out the door. And we're going to hold one another accountable because, without it, I won't stick with it. 

So, fingers crossed and excuses gone, here we go. 

Does exercise wear you out or make you feel energized?