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The Power of Staying Active: A Personal Reflection on Mental Health
February 2025 | By Matt Lowy, Club Fit Marketing Director
As the Marketing Director of Club Fit, I’ve always been a firm believer in the importance of staying active. Fitness has been a priority in my life for years—whether it was playing tennis, indoor or beach volleyball, soccer, running, lifting weights, or taking indoor cycling, DRIVE, and TRX classes at the club, I was always on the move. Maybe it’s undiagnosed ADHD, or maybe I just get bored easily, but I’ve never been one to sit still. Even when watching TV or movies at home, you’d find me lifting a dumbbell, doing sit-ups and push-ups, or getting steps in on the treadmill—rather than just relaxing on the couch. But over the past few months, things have changed.
In July 2024, I started experiencing some “minor” health issues that put an unexpected pause on my fitness journey. I won’t dive into the details, but I went from moving seven days a week to barely standing for seven minutes a day. If you’re a numbers person like me, that’s about eight months of progress lost. The lack of exercise has taken its toll—fatigue, low energy, and a noticeable decline in my fitness levels. I’ve gained some weight, lost strength, and, most importantly, my mental health has suffered.
Community
The Power of Staying Active: A Personal Reflection on Mental Health
February 2025 | By Matt Lowy, Club Fit Marketing Director
As the Marketing Director of Club Fit, I’ve always been a firm believer in the importance of staying active. Fitness has been a priority in my life for years—whether it was playing tennis, indoor or beach volleyball, soccer, running, lifting weights, or taking indoor cycling, DRIVE, and TRX classes at the club, I was always on the move. Maybe it’s undiagnosed ADHD, or maybe I just get bored easily, but I’ve never been one to sit still. Even when watching TV or movies at home, you’d find me lifting a dumbbell, doing sit-ups and push-ups, or getting steps in on the treadmill—rather than just relaxing on the couch. But over the past few months, things have changed.
In July 2024, I started experiencing some “minor” health issues that put an unexpected pause on my fitness journey. I won’t dive into the details, but I went from moving seven days a week to barely standing for seven minutes a day. If you’re a numbers person like me, that’s about eight months of progress lost. The lack of exercise has taken its toll—fatigue, low energy, and a noticeable decline in my fitness levels. I’ve gained some weight, lost strength, and, most importantly, my mental health has suffered.
Maintaining Weight, Energy Levels, and Physical Strength
When you’re consistently active, maintaining a healthy weight tends to happen naturally. But as I get older, I’ve noticed my metabolism slowing down. Regular exercise plays a key role in keeping it in check, and without it, changes can happen quickly. Recently, I’ve put on a little extra weight— a clear reminder of how important it is to stay consistent with movement. Beyond weight, staying active is one of the best ways to sustain energy levels. It’s easy to fall into a cycle of fatigue and inactivity when you’re not moving, making even simple tasks feel harder. I’ve felt this firsthand, but I’ve also noticed that when I get up and move—even just a little—I instantly feel more energized.
We all know that strength is a key part of staying healthy – whether that’s through weightlifting, playing sports, or doing bodyweight exercises. When I’m in a routine, my body feels strong, and my mind follows suit. The sense of accomplishment after a workout – whether it’s lifting heavier weights or finishing a run – is immeasurable. It’s a confidence boost that carries me throughout the day. And let’s not forget about the mental clarity that comes from exercise. That hour of focus on myself, the time when I’m not thinking about work, personal obligations, or stress, is invaluable. Without that, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and disconnected. But getting back into a routine, even if it’s just small steps, has reminded me of the true power that physical activity has on my overall well-being.
We all know that strength is a key part of staying healthy–whether it comes from weightlifting, playing sports, or bodyweight exercises. When I’m in a routine, I feel strong physically, and that strength carries over to my mindset. The sense of accomplishment after a workout—whether it’s hitting a new personal best, finishing a tough cycle class, or winning a match–is unmatched. It’s a confidence boost that stays with me throughout the rest of the day. Beyond that, exercise brings invaluable mental clarity. That dedicated hour to focus on myself, free from work, obligations, and stress, is something I truly value. Without it, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and disconnected. But as I take steps to rebuild my routine, I’m reminded just how powerful physical activity is for my overall well-being.
Mental Health
If there’s one thing I’ve learned over these last few months, it’s how critical exercise is for mental health. What I’ve come to realize is that physical strength is just the beginning. Physical activity has a huge effect on our mental strength, too. The absence of regular exercise has left me feeling disconnected from my social circles. Exercise was my main outlet for endorphins, that wonderful “feel-good” hormone that comes from physical activity, and without it, I’ve struggled to maintain a positive mindset. It’s been eye-opening to experience firsthand how deeply our physical activity impacts our emotional well-being.
After struggling with some mental health challenges – from feeling isolated to just feeling “off” – I can confidently say that physical activity is one of the best tools we have for improving our mental state. Exercise is not just about getting your heart rate up or burning calories – it’s about releasing those powerful endorphins that boost your mood and reduce stress. It’s about socializing, too, and keeping those connections alive. Whether it’s chatting with a friend before, after, or sometimes even during (sorry to my instructors!) a class, playing a team sport, or simply being around others who share your passion for movement, staying active helps you stay connected.
The journey back to feeling like myself has been challenging, but I’m taking it one step at a time. I’m gradually working my way back to regular exercise, starting with small goals and adjusting my routine to how my body feels. And you know what? Even small steps are making a big difference. Whether it’s a short walk, a light yoga session at home (still too shy to try it in public, I admit!), or even lifting light weights that still burn after multiple reps, I’m getting back into the swing of things. I know it’s going to take time, but I’ve learned that the most important thing is to not give up, no matter where you’re starting from. I’ve missed the camaraderie of my tennis and volleyball groups, and it’s been hard to cope with the solitude that comes from not being as active. But I’ve also realized that I can’t wait to get back out there – because, as much as I’ve missed the physical benefits of exercise, I’ve missed the mental clarity and social engagement even more.
So why am I sharing this with you? Well, it’s not just about my personal struggles – it’s about reminding all of us of the incredible benefits that staying active brings, even when life gets tough. If you’re in a similar position – feeling like life has gotten in the way of your fitness – I encourage you to take it slow and be kind to yourself. Start small, stay consistent, and remember that every bit of movement counts. Let’s all remember that we are not just moving for our bodies, but for our minds, too. Staying active isn’t just about looking good or meeting fitness goals – it’s about feeling good, mentally and emotionally, and taking care of ourselves for the long haul.
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