Let me start by saying that I do work out. Well, when I’m not recovering from knee surgery.

So I guess I should say that I usually work out. And I love it. But I don’t work out for some of the reasons you might think.

Here’s why I DON’T work out

I don’t work out to get a perfect body. (As if that’s even possible.)

I don’t want to change how I look. I like how I look. Really. I’m 47. I’m not going to get back my 18-year-old physique. Like ever. I’m cool with that.

I don’t work out to lose my 2-baby belly.

I love the vestiges of my daughters’ stay inside me. There was a time when I thought I might never be able to have a baby. Now I have an invisible-to-everyone-but-me six-pack. I like how it feels: strong and soft, all in one beautiful belly.

I don’t work out to burn off the calories from yesterday’s dessert.

Working out shouldn’t be some kind of retribution for enjoying myself.

I ate a cannoli.

I enjoyed it.

And now I’m working out.

Totally separate, unrelated events.

I don’t work out to keep up with the sexy moms at the beach.

Who needs that kind of pressure?

I don’t work out to please my husband.

Don’t get me wrong: I like looking good for my man. But my toned tush comes as an added bonus (a side effect, really) from working out. I don’t squat for him; I do it for me.

I don’t work out to fit into a smaller clothing size.

This isn’t about the number on a label. Besides, I practically live in leggings. “One Size” works fine for me. And I like my athletic thighs that don’t easily fit into jeans.

Here’s why I DO work out

I work out because it feels good.

I’m all about feeling good, and I feel better when I move my body. It clears my head, sharpens my senses, and boosts my mood. I have more energy, more resilience, and I feel saner. That’s a really good thing, according to my family. Working out makes me happy. Simple as that.

I work out because it helps keep me healthy.

I’m a doctor. I can’t divorce my reasons for exercising from years of training and research. Yes, exercise decreases the risk of practically every ailment we humans face.

I work out because I like being strong.

I feel like a badass white girl when I go heavy at the gym. Surely others might not think me a badass, but they’d be wrong.

I work out so I can keep up with the kids.

Nothing’s more fun than running around with a bunch of crazy kids. (And being faster than some of them.)

I work out because it empowers me.

The strength that I gain from working my body hard translates into every other area of my life.

Now why would I go and give that power to someone or something else?

And why should you?