A while ago, I think sometime last week, I posted here about my first three weeks of exercise. I was very discouraged by the fact that after three weeks of almost daily walks, the walking still didn't feel any easier, and my body still felt really bad while moving. I asked you all when you got over that bump, so I could keep my eyes forward.

Well. Today it was easier!!!ヾ(≧▽≦*)o

I noticed it a bit already on last night's walk, it just... felt a bit lighter in my body! So today, I was brave and walked past the first bench I usually need to rest on on my route! I made it about halfway to the second usual stop, rested at that halfway point instead, and then walked past my usual second stop all the way to... no, PAST the third! I rested at my fourth stop instead!!!

I was out of breath, but I didn't feel so horrible and heavy all over! I still felt good and light!

For most of you, this amount of movement is probably smallbeans, but to me it's a huge accomplishment. I am so, so relieved that the horrible heaviness is not where it ends!

Thank you so so much for everyone who replied to my last post to tell me it would get better. In hindsight, I was going through a heavy depressive spike. A friend told me that I might have been experiencing a psychosomatic symptom of depression, too - they called it Psychomotor Retardation. I'll see my psychiatrist in two days and ask her if that might be true, expertise over WebMD always!

But your words really helped me through. It can be hard to remember that there's an "after". You helped me so much to put one foot in front of the other and have faith that I can get better!

I'll probably walk into walls again sooner or later, and I might come back here for comfort and support. But for now, I finally have more strength to keep on walking!

Btw thank you all for reminding me to sleep properly. I had a tough bout of insomnia for sure, but I'm doing my best to get my circadian rhythm back on track, and I think that helped a lot!

My main workouts have always been a mix of staying active and improving overall fitness, but recently I’ve been thinking about adding more structured strength training.

I feel like strength work is useful for almost everyone, whether the goal is building muscle, improving performance, staying mobile, or just feeling stronger day to day.

I’ve been looking into basic movements like squats, rows, presses, hinges and core exercises.

Most of these seem simple enough to do with a small amount of equipment, which makes it easier to stay consistent.

For people who include strength training regularly, what does your routine usually look like?

Do you follow a program, or do you build your own workouts?