How long did it take you to like exercise?

2

Replies

  • _AllieCat_
    _AllieCat_ Posts: 515 Member
    You have to find what you enjoy. I dislike working out on the treadmill/elliptical and all types of running but LOVE hiking, walking, weight-training, and yoga.

    Stick with what you like.
  • alpine1994
    alpine1994 Posts: 1,915 Member
    Since I started depending on it for the stress release after work. Maybe a month or two? Now if I don't exercise after work I am grouchy for the rest of the night.
  • Alison12121
    Alison12121 Posts: 198 Member
    I still don't like it, especially strength training because it's hard. I don't like lifting heavy stuff. :smile: I decided that it's something I have to do, and I don't give myself the option to not do it anymore. I only give myself the choice to either get it out of the way early in the day, or drag it out. :smile: I always feel better afterwards though.
  • Hexahedra
    Hexahedra Posts: 894 Member
    I think part of the problem is that people feel like they have to go to the gym and drone away for hours on some cardio machine to burn a gazillion calories. When that is the mindset, exercise becomes a task. I've found that most people really start getting into their exercise and training when they start exercising for their fitness and to achieve certain fitness goals beyond just burning calories.

    That's how it was for me anyway...when I first started back to exercise I was just doing stuff based on what kind of calorie burn I could get and what I thought I needed to be doing. When I started establishing independent fitness goals, that's when my routines really came together and started to be more intelligent and make more sense. Before it was just whatever's clever and I'm going to burn some calories. Now, every single little thing I do training wise is in support of a very specific goal, and that drives me.

    This.

    I have very specific goals in mind. For Cardio I want to be able to run a 5K under 30 minutes, then do a 10K afterward. As for lifting I want to have a well defined Lat and arms that are at least noticeably larger than my bodybuilding wife's. I'm determined to catch up to whatever weight she's working with, and that's not easy because she has been doing this for years and been personally coached by professionals.

    As for diet I'm determined to lose this beer gut that I have carried around since I graduated college. I will have a visible six-pack abs for at least once in my life.

    If --I mean when-- I manage to reach all that, then the next goal is to attain Navy Seal's fitness standard. It's just so nice to be able to say that I'm fit enough to try out for BUD/S.
    http://www.military.com/military-fitness/navy-special-operations/navy-seal-fitness-test
  • lizziebeth1028
    lizziebeth1028 Posts: 3,602 Member
    I love to exercise but I still have to kick myself to get started sometimes! What helps me the most is having a lot of options open to me. I belong to a gym, a yoga studio, I have a 'home gym' (I try to add to it every other paycheck), I have DVD's, kettle bells, dumb bells, bench, stability ball, step, yoga mat/props, access to a lot of nice walking and hiking trails and a bike. My philosophy is to do what you like. It's been working for me for the last 35 years.
  • The_New_Christina
    The_New_Christina Posts: 818 Member
    I still keep switching up my exercises! I've been almost a year on MFP, and I've done Zumba, TaeBo, treadmill, running outside, Leslie Sansone videos, 30 day shred and Now INSANITY! I started liking exercise as someone else said...as soon as I started seeing results!!!
  • WmRHunt
    WmRHunt Posts: 1
    My wife and I ride bicycles for fun and some exercise. All we did was increase what we were doing. Still enjoy the time on a bike.
  • liannexxx
    liannexxx Posts: 201 Member
    I still don't love it yet however I try make sure I do a little every day now. x
  • melindasuefritz
    melindasuefritz Posts: 3,509 Member
    4 months
  • quiltlovinlisa
    quiltlovinlisa Posts: 1,710 Member
    Seriously after six weeks, my legs CRAVE movement. Right now I'm waiting until after my nine year old counseling appointment to get moving and it's so hard. I want to throw on some clothes to sweat in and get moving NOW (but I dont' have time to do that and clean up before going, dang it)

    It's different for everyone though. There has to be something you enjoy though. Or won't matter how much time you put into it. I've found joy in yoga, pilates, biking, walking, the leslie sansone's walking dvd's, toning with free weights (I use "the firm" hi def sculpt) and I'm always working to expand those interest.
  • bongochick45
    bongochick45 Posts: 130 Member
    You have to find something you like. I love shaking my *kitten* so zumba, hip hop abs, and rocking body is awesome for me. It's just like a job. Find something you love to do and you'll never really be "working" out.
  • Alissakae
    Alissakae Posts: 317 Member
    After 10 months I finally don't HATE it.
  • ntdrive
    ntdrive Posts: 105 Member
    You have to find what you enjoy. I dislike working out on the treadmill/elliptical and all types of running but LOVE hiking, walking, weight-training, and yoga.

    Stick with what you like.

    ^^^ this
  • marhattap
    marhattap Posts: 149 Member
    It will get easier, and you will begin to find out what you like most. I started off hating, and I mean LOATHING walking. However, it was the only activity that I could do, because I was so out of shape. I kept at it for a few months, and then I began to notice weight loss. Even after the weight loss, I still kinda hated it. However, after about 5 months, I finally began to enjoy it, especially with music. I would download new songs that I could ONLY listen to when working out. One day during my walk, I just started running. I didn't really like it at first, but before I knew it I had fallen in LOVE! I now look forward to waking up early to go running. It takes a while though, but you will get there.

    Oh, and once you, and the people around you, begin to notice your weight loss you'll love it even more :)
  • Galathea96
    Galathea96 Posts: 200 Member
    It's been almost two years since I started exercising regularly and I still don't like it:grumble: . I might feel like a badass when I lift more than other people but that still doesn't mean I like being out of breath or the feeling of my muscles burning.

    I do like the results though so I somehow manage to meet my weekly workout goals.
  • dakotababy
    dakotababy Posts: 2,407 Member
    The day I receive Turbo Jam in the mail. It took me to exercise every day for about a month before I started to "crave" it.
  • Isakizza
    Isakizza Posts: 754 Member
    First when I noticed that I got a "happy high" after workouts. Made my days so much better.

    Then, when I started to be able to run more than 1 mile straight with ease.

    And now... that barbell has me feeling pretty damn powerful and awesome!!!!
    Not to mention that I'm FINALLY getting compliments on my hard work so far. :happy:


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  • juniperleaves
    juniperleaves Posts: 45
    I started liking it when I found something that felt more like having fun than exercising! For me, that's hoop dance. I can practice for half an hour, easily, without noticing how much time is passing. And when I'm in groups of people, I can hoop for hours and never get bored.

    You've just gotta find something that's fun for you!
  • Delicate
    Delicate Posts: 625 Member
    After the first month, when the very first pains stopped from exerting myself and hit the happy endorphine high

    8 years later, i still love it

    I'm disappointed if my classes are cancelled!
  • ash8184
    ash8184 Posts: 701 Member
    I think part of the problem is that people feel like they have to go to the gym and drone away for hours on some cardio machine to burn a gazillion calories. When that is the mindset, exercise becomes a task. I've found that most people really start getting into their exercise and training when they start exercising for their fitness and to achieve certain fitness goals beyond just burning calories.

    That's how it was for me anyway...when I first started back to exercise I was just doing stuff based on what kind of calorie burn I could get and what I thought I needed to be doing. When I started establishing independent fitness goals, that's when my routines really came together and started to be more intelligent and make more sense. Before it was just whatever's clever and I'm going to burn some calories. Now, every single little thing I do training wise is in support of a very specific goal, and that drives me.

    This is really great advice. Most people seem to be goal oriented and having a goal can make exercise have more than 1 purpose. Set a goal for yourself... whether it's to deadlift x lbs by x date or to run a 5k by x date (or even run a 12 minute mile by next month). Small goals = success! :)
  • Isakizza
    Isakizza Posts: 754 Member
    I think part of the problem is that people feel like they have to go to the gym and drone away for hours on some cardio machine to burn a gazillion calories. When that is the mindset, exercise becomes a task. I've found that most people really start getting into their exercise and training when they start exercising for their fitness and to achieve certain fitness goals beyond just burning calories.

    That's how it was for me anyway...when I first started back to exercise I was just doing stuff based on what kind of calorie burn I could get and what I thought I needed to be doing. When I started establishing independent fitness goals, that's when my routines really came together and started to be more intelligent and make more sense. Before it was just whatever's clever and I'm going to burn some calories. Now, every single little thing I do training wise is in support of a very specific goal, and that drives me.

    This is really great advice. Most people seem to be goal oriented and having a goal can make exercise have more than 1 purpose. Set a goal for yourself... whether it's to deadlift x lbs by x date or to run a 5k by x date (or even run a 12 minute mile by next month). Small goals = success! :)

    ^^^ Totally!
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    I've always enjoyed walking and hiking. I started enjoying running once I got better at it. And I'm still don't really LIKE lifting weights, but I love the results, so I just put that in the category of "things I don't necessarily enjoy but do anyway" like brushing my teeth or shaving my legs.

    That said, I still have to make a conscious effort to exercise. I never jump out of bed and say, 'Yippeee! I can't wait to exercise today." Even when it's something I enjoy, I still have the mindset of, "Let's get this over with so I can get in the shower and smell good again."
  • ecmorales
    ecmorales Posts: 33 Member
    It was months, the turning point was when I noticed the exercise was getting easier. It's not 'the challenge' or 'sense of accomplishment'....it's just fun to know I can hike for 6 miles when I wouldn't walk a block before, I can Plank for a minute when I couldn't even get down on the floor before. The words and the feelings are very personally relevant, but WOW!!! standing at 1,000 feet overlooking the ocean and I got myself there! I never would have thought it a year ago. And ditto, on finding something you enjoy...I have different exercises in my routine, and it's Sunday hikes and Yoga I can't wait to get to!
  • dlwalker78
    dlwalker78 Posts: 40
    The first time my girlfriend completly wrapped her arms around me and said how much she liked it!
  • escort9580
    escort9580 Posts: 23 Member
    I am not a current fan of exercise. I use to be in much better shape but for me I like exercising once it was easy. In the beginning I thought I would die every time I worked out, pretty much how I feel now. My face looks thin but my body doesn't match. Once I got stronger then exercise was much more enjoyable. I think that happens when you get closer to your ideal weight or when you can jump or run and not feel like you got stabbed. If you don't have a friend to exercise with then I think you should get your favorite music and put it on an iPod. It doesn't have to be crazy upbeat music but just music you really love. I liked walking with friends but not jogging because I am short and my stride is short so they were always faster than me and it annoyed me. Plus if you get to the point that you are jogging your iPod is your best friend and it gives you time to just think and let it be time for you. Good luck sooner or later exercise will be more appealing.
  • ghdsmais
    ghdsmais Posts: 31 Member
    Since I started depending on it for the stress release after work. Maybe a month or two? Now if I don't exercise after work I am grouchy for the rest of the night.


    I am the same way ^^^^^^
    Love to run and can't get enough. Just bought a new bike and ready to use that also.
  • dlegros
    dlegros Posts: 162 Member
    I still don't "like" exercise - that's why I had to find something I could see as more than just exercise...

    The feeling I got from receiving my P2 Krav Maga degree after a 3 hour grading in 30degree heat in Israel was what I like! :smile:
  • Lochlyn_D
    Lochlyn_D Posts: 492 Member
    I still don't like it. I read somewhere that if you force yourself to smile all the time, you will trick your brain into thinking that your happy. I've decided to do this while I exercise to trick myself into thinking I enjoy it.
  • missshyeviolett
    missshyeviolett Posts: 310 Member
    I had to find the right thing for me to start enjoying it. Now, the Bar Method is crazy difficult and intense, but it also invigorates me and stretches me out too. Overall, I don't dread going to class everyday like I did with the gym.
  • gettinfitaus
    gettinfitaus Posts: 161 Member
    Find something you enjoy that's half the battle. If you don't want to go outside then do a tap dance class or a Zumba class or a pump class, work with a PT. but find something that you find interests you.

    Make it a habit. I am just doing this part now, but before kids I just knew that I would be getting up and going to the gym 3 weekday mornings (Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday) and at least one weekend day. It wasn't a choice that I ALLOWED myself to make over and over. it was what had to happen (for the Big Bang fans think Sheldon's halo night or comic store night) no ifs buts or who's about it. With little kids this is harder to implement, there are some days where no matter how much I want to go running in the morning it just ain't gonna happen. So like yesterday I took time to go once DP got home from work. But I stayed true to the rule: on Tuesdays I run. Simple.

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