I think "punish" is too strong of a word...if you think of it in terms of punishment, or that you're "bad" or weak or whatever negative self-talk you doing...then you're never going to enjoy exercise and that's a very unhealthy way to look at it.
On the other hand, self-discipline is a somewhat necessary part of life, especially when it comes to one's health.
Do you see the difference?
Exercise is a liberator by investing in yourself. By thinking that exercise is a means to limit freedom, as punishment, there will be a cognitive dissonance and will create more problems.
Imagine what happens if you thought learning was a form of punishment.
Exercise always has been a form of punishment, though.
really? where? The military and gym class doesn't count.
At home.
have fun
Yes, it's bad to use exercise as punishment. Find some kind of exercise that you enjoy doing. You're not going to do it if you don't find it enjoyable. Whether it's dancing, walking, doing yoga, playing a team sport, swimming, jogging, biking...find something that you enjoy spending time doing. For me, I like hitting a little ball against a backstop with some kind of hand-held item. And I prefer to do it alone, without a team mate (I tend to prefer solitary exercise). This means that my kind of exercise is either hitting a tennis ball against a backstop on my own, or raquetball court on my own, not playing against another player, but just testing my own mettle by playing against myself.
I also have to admit that I like repetitious, mindless exercise where I don't need to expend a lot of thought. This usually means solitary exercise on a treadmill or stationery bike at the gym. I know this is not the preferred method of exercise for many people, but it works for me, so that's what I do. I pop in my iPod earbuds, zone out to some great music and not think about anything for a change. So what kind of exercise do you enjoy doing?
What are you punishing yourself for? Sounds kinky.
But I've been existing and eating and being afraid and totally wasn't aware I needed to self-flagellate! WHY DIDN'T ANYONE TELL ME.
Punishment is best to give, and not receive.
You didn't? I guess it's up to me to spread the word, then.
Ok. Now I will punish myself, although I can see a lot of instances where I might not punish myself so then I will punish myself for not punishing myself.