I hate to excercise! Help!

[tiggybrown]

I have a wonderful gym membership and I am so lazy I never use it. I hate excercise, I really dread it, I guess I am really a wimo when it comes to discomfort. Anyone have any motivating tips or mind games I can play with myself to get myself to work out?

[everything_is]

I have a wonderful gym membership and I am so lazy I never use it. I hate excercise, I really dread it, I guess I am really a wimo when it comes to discomfort.

me too! me too! i'd love to know how to enjoy exercise. i never do any and its really not good.:no: :help:

i'm possibly starting pilates or something 'gentle'? soon lol because i figured it wouldn't be so tiring but it would help with toning...though my friend is trying to persuade me to take up karate with her ...

hmm i'd say you should definately exercise with other people to make it more fun because if you go to the gym by yourself it isn't fun at all - well i didn't enjoy it... i'm sure they have classes for all sorts of exercise at the gym you go to (or don't go to lol) where you could meet other people, make new friends, have an instructor showing you what to do and get motivation from the people around you.

it's worth a try....
yoga, pilates, aerobics? i dunno. i still haven't made it to a class yet so i'm hardly one to talk.

oh if you like dance better you could always take up that because that's good exercise - something like salsa? i know a few people who enjoy that...

good luck anyways :)

[asp3]

I think the key to getting exercise is either finding some sort of exercise that you enjoy doing or finding an activity that you enjoy that allows you to exercise while you do it or that has some physical activity involved with it.

I personally love to read while I exercise. It makes the time go by more quickly and I am doing something I enjoy while exercising. I like to read on the recumbent bicycles because they're more comfortable for me, but you can also do it on upright exercycles, stair masters and eliptical exercisers.

I also love going to the library and walk the 1 1/2 miles to the library to get there.

If you like dancing, that can provide a lot of exercise. Bicycling to places you want to go helps. There are also a lot of other types of gyms these days. I get most of my exercise in a rock climbing gym. It's a fantastic activity that really gives me a good workout and helps me relieve tension.

Best of luck finding an exercise you enjoy.

[Summer123]

Hi,

I think like someone already suggested, the best thing is to find something that you enjoy doing.

I know this might sound hard especially if you don't like exercising but even something as simple as walking - if you do it regularly is, a good form of exercise.

Also, what about activites like skating, swimming or hiking? These are all fun activites that if you do them regularly, will provide you with an excellent way to exercise.

Hope this helps a bit.

Regards,

Summer

[Arainu]

I hate exercising. In gym class, I was always trying to find a way to skip out.

I enjoy walking, though. It gives me a chance to listen to my ipod (I'm a big music fan). And I like being out in the sun. I haven't bought a car so as to encourage me to walk more. If I had a car, I'd probably drive everywhere all the time.

[Banshee Beat!]

I agree with everyone else... make sure you like what youre doing. I think game type activities are more fun than just running or swimming for 45 minutes (but if you like that, then hey, thats great too). I'd say get out of the gym and try different sports. Shoot hoops one day, or try tennis. Raquet ball is super fast paced and fun. Kick a soccer ball around with someone, or take a bikeride around your neighborhood. Or theres always karate, yoga, kickboxing. Remember that there are other ways of exercising besides getting on the elliptical machine. Good Luck!

[Tesseract]

I'm in the same boat. What I would suggest is:

1. Go beyond just finding something you enjoy-- find something you can make your new hobby, that you want to get good at, and you can make it your personal goal to make progress in how good you are at that sport or activity. Of course, it needs to be something you enjoy doing. It could be anything from signing up with a neighborhood volleyball league, to cycling, to kayaking, to jogging.

I'm considering taking up rock climbing.

2. Find an exercise buddy. A really good exercise buddy is a dog, at least if your exercise is walking, jogging, or cycling. Dogs are always ready to go, won't let you "forget," and won't agree that today is a good day to relax instead. Now, I'm not suggesting that you get a dog solely for this purpose, but if you have a dog, you've already got the best exercise partner you could ask for. Signing up for some sort of league sport would probably have the same effect. You'll meet people who are also into that sport, and probably wind up making friends with some of them.

If I do take up rock climbing, I'll have a buddy in Mr. Tess, who is already into rock climbing and really wants me to get into it, too.

3. Sign up for classes at your gym. Whether it's step, spinning, jazzercise, yoga, pilates, whatever, put something on your schedule that says, "I have to be there at time X, and people are expecting me." Make that class part of your weekly routine.

I do pilates and yoga weekly at a studio about 5 minutes from my house, and I don't always feel like going, but I'm always glad I did afterward.

The other thing I do is try to walk every day, for at least 20-30 minutes, in addition to whatever else I'm doing.

ETA: ^^^ Racquet ball is SO. MUCH. FUN. I mean, you get to whack a little rubber ball silly around a room for 45 minutes. What could be better stress relief? My only problem is I hate keeping score. Well, that and I have no gym membership, so no place to play.

[meatless]

I hate exercising too. In fact, I am not a fan of physical activity in general. I'm much happier to be sitting on the couch.

BUT, I do exercise almost daily. I don't enjoy it, even after a year of doing it. But I do it because it produces results. I lost nearly 10% of my body weight and I look fabulous. I can climb stairs without panting. I feel more alert and awake when I've exercised (and in general). I know it's better for my long-term health. It burns enough calories that I can eat dessert nearly daily (and it has revved up my metabolism).

I think half an hour a day is worth all those benefits. So I persist, even though I do not like it.

BTW- I use an elliptical machine, and watch movies while I exercise. That makes it MUCH easier. :D

[astro]

I think half an hour a day is worth all those benefits. So I persist, even though I do not like it.

Same here :yes:

[karenlovessnow]

Another "I hate to exercise" person here....but I do it anyway...but I hate it!

[meatless]

I'm glad I'm not the only one! :p

Seriously, the "do what you enjoy" idea is nice, but if you dislike physical activity PERIOD then it doesn't really apply. :D

[BoredVegan]

I hate exercising but know that i have to do it. I do weight traning for about 40min 3 times a week and even then I feel lazy :doh: but I tell myself would you rather be annoyed, work out and then be please with yourself or not work out, feel guilty (and in turn eat more than I usually would) and feel like crap over all?

The urge to feel good always wins! :p Good luck to everyone!

[DelicGrape]

Are there any physical activities you like? Playing sports is a great way to have fun while getting a good workout. I love swimming and its great exercise.
Do you have any small siblings or relatives you see often? Playing games with them can be good exercise too, and you'll be spending quality time with them. Try jump rope or laying books (or anything to mark spots) on the floor, make a circle and jump from book to book- or if it's easier, make a hopscotch to play with them outside.
Dancing, riding bikes, rollerblading...all very fun stuff that you can do to help boost your workout routine.

[Tropikiwi]

Ah yes the hardest exercise is walking throught the gym door!
You could try setting the times you have to go and then tell yourself to suck it up bitch and go then. No excuses.
Worked for me.

[karenlovessnow]

My daughter just dropped ten pounds by doing nothing but joining a gym. She still eats like crazy!

[Summer123]

So you see, I think a number of people really don't enjoy exercising. But do it anyway because it is sooooo good for you!

Summer

[DelicGrape]

So you see, I think a number of people really don't enjoy exercising. But do it anyway because it is sooooo good for you!

Summer


That sounded almost sarcastic! LOL
Oh no, my keyboard is squeaking
Does bashing a keyboard against a wall count as exercise?

:up:

[karenlovessnow]

Mmmmm...uh, uh....:no: Nice try though! :)

[kathym]

LOL! When I read your comment tiggybrown I nearly fell on the floor laughing. You wrote "I have a wonderful gym membership and I am so lazy I never use it." On "The last comic standing" this season one of the comics had a whole monologue about her gym membership and I probably lost 10 pounds rolling around on the floor laughing at her. She said her gym called her to remind her that her membership was about to run out and if she wanted to come in and renew it… and she said "Sure, can you tell me where you're located?" hehhehehehehhe Your post made me laugh and just wanted to tell you!!!

[Mish]

Sometimes it is just actually starting the workout and getting changed for it, and getting there ect.
If I get a day where a training session doesn't appeal, then I simply tell myself that I will just do ten minutes or whatever I can manage. Then once I have got through those ten minutes, I go "hey - this is great!" (usually). If I still feel like I'm not enjoying it, then I tell myself, just ten more minutes, ect, untill I have done a reasonable workout.
Please remenber though, that if you feel very unwell (not just a cold) or have an injury which hasn't been identified or adressed, than this method is not safe. So use it sensibly if you do!

[asp3]

I just had a thought after reading the other responses. The things you enjoy doing don't have to be exercise related in order to get exercise. For example if you enjoy shopping, do so, but choose to do so in a way that involves more walking. If you are going to a mall, rather than parking close to the store you want to go to part at the opposite end of the mall and walk there. If the mall parking lot is safe, part as far out in the parking lot as you can. Another option is to go to a downtown shopping district (if you have one) and walk between stores that are blocks away from each other.

If you are going out to dinner and there is a restaurant you enjoy that can be walked to and from safely, park with the intention of walking to the restaurant and back.

It may take more time to get your exercise time this way, but you and your health are worth the extra time.

You also might find that once you start getting regular exercise that you feel better overall. I know when I don't exercise I start feeling worse. I've been exercising long enough so that I don't remember how much better I started to feel after getting regular exercise, but I know how good it makes me feel now.

[cftwo]

I agree that it comes down to finding an activity you enjoy - and something that fits with your schedule. I have a large collection of exercise videos, an exercise step, some dumbbells, a stability ball, etc. and can workout at my convenience. You still have to find the types of workouts you enjoy (heavy weights, light weights, fancy choreography, kickboxing, etc.), but I have found that it helps to have exercise be easy and convenient.

[sunshinegal]

I agree that it comes down to finding an activity you enjoy - and something that fits with your schedule. I have a large collection of exercise videos, an exercise step, some dumbbells, a stability ball, etc. and can workout at my convenience. You still have to find the types of workouts you enjoy (heavy weights, light weights, fancy choreography, kickboxing, etc.), but I have found that it helps to have exercise be easy and convenient.

I agree. I have a step, a stability ball, all kinds of dumbbells, a mini trampoline and tons of workout dvds. I get very bored very quickly with something so I mix it up. Lately I have been into a step workout that I have so I have been doing that like 3 times a week and working out with light weights. Sometimes I just want to walk or rollarblade, so I do that. I leave the working out to what my body feels like and some weeks I do minimal workouts. I started off hating working out, and now because of how good I feel all day, I don't ever want to give it up. Once you start, you may feel the same way! Try to change your attitude of "I hate this" to "let me try it and see how I feel all day". turn that into a few weeks and soon it will be habit! :rockon:

[tiggybrown]

Thanks guys for all of your input. I love the idea of telling myself I will only be in the gym for ten minutes, I used that trick last night and it worked. Also I realized that if I don;t overwhelm myself with a huge workout I am more apt to go to the gym. I also get bored so easily and realize I really need to mix it up every few weeks. I think I will pick up some DVD's this weekend and use those as well as going to the gym, I feel I will do better if I surround myself with workout options. Thanks all.

[luv4all]

ok, this will probabally screw everyone up, but who needs a gym? I get fit by doing things i love. Playing sport with my friends (we all suck, so it works), walking with my mp3, going to the beach to battle the oncoming waves, dancing like an idiot, etc. Its not exactally a traditional exercise regime (the majority of people i know think the gym is wonderful. what's with that?), but it works. When you are trying to find an activity you enjoy, think outside the square. Being fit feels sooo good that its worth every bit.