So, what if I hate exercise..

heathergarland2013

Well, I have been doing well by eating healthier but I have found that I HATE exercise. However, I don't hate it like most people do. I don't mind the being hot and sweaty or the moving around... I hate how boring it it.Walking, running, bicycling.... I make a good playlist to listen to but I really just find myself being bored during the repetitive movements... does anyone else have the same problem?

PeachyPlum

I like running and cycling because I enjoy being outside and seeing nature. Are you exercising in a really boring area (or on a machine in the gym)? Can you find a more interesting place to run/ride?

Maybe a class like Zumba or something would be more your speed?

farfromthetree

I used to until I found my gym. Supportive fun group of people, plays great music, changes exercise up every day, only one hour and your done!! It's a CrossFit gym. Don't let the name scare you. You will love it if you give it a chance. Yes, it's expensive but if it works for you it is so worth it.
I never got into walking, running etc...Many of my friends say they wish they found Crossfit earlier...you are still very young!!

urloved33

After a while...in life you just do what you got to do and exercise is something our bodies need to be in optimum health.

heathergarland2013

@PeachyPlum I have taken a zumba class before it is really fun! But to take zumba, I have to have a gym membership. And if I pay $45 for a membership, I feel obligated to work out at the gym on the days that there's no zumba. But the gym is the boring place that I hate, which discourages me. However, I can ride my bike around town and on some back roads and that's really enjoyable! I may have to find some new places to ride lol Thanks for the tip!

ew_david

You just haven't found what you like yet. You'll know the difference when you find something that makes you not want to wait until the next day to do it again.

DavPul

I find going to work every day to be boring. There's no great joy in changing my daughter's diapers every day either. And yet somehow I find a way to stay employed and keep my daughter in clean diapers.

brandi9172

Try out a Crossfit gym...I can promise you that you'll never be bored.

besee_2000

Workout DVD's and classes will make the time go super fast. If you get the right one for your style you'll get hooked.
Personal favorite DVD's
Jillian Michael's Body Revolution, Hard Body, Yoga Meltdown, Kickboxing, a few others but they all start to blend together.
Turbo Fire with Chalene Johnson is amazing once you have endurance
Zumba classes and local bootcamps are a ton of fun too because everyone is encouraging but all different levels of fitness.

Do you walk/run outside? Treadmill is just godawful after hitting a trail or pavement.

PeachyPlum

Do you have any greenways or biking trails in your area?

We have lots where I live - I had to spend $40 for a bike rack for my car, but I can just throw my bike on the rack and be on a really nice trail within 15 minutes. I find it's really peaceful, and because I can travel further in less time, I can explore new areas all the time.

Also, are you sure you need a gym membership? In my area, Zumba classes are offered in church basements and community rec centers all over. Maybe check the Zumba website?

DoreenaV1975

heathergarland2013 wrote: »

Well, I have been doing well by eating healthier but I have found that I HATE exercise. However, I don't hate it like most people do. I don't mind the being hot and sweaty or the moving around... I hate how boring it it.Walking, running, bicycling.... I make a good playlist to listen to but I really just find myself being bored during the repetitive movements... does anyone else have the same problem?

I hate exercise too but have so much fun doing Wii Fit or Just Dance because to me it's like a game (well I guess technically it is a game, LOL)! Maybe try something like that if you can!

CandyMonster160

Find something you like and change it up day to day. As long as you're moving and burning calories who cares how you do it. Dance, run, lift weights, walk, swim, bike, jump on a trampoline, jump rope, play a sport, the options are endless. Good luck!

SoDamnHungry

Try a lot of different things and get a good audio book. Or the Zombies Run! app is supposed to be a lot of fun.

DirrtyH

Sometimes instead of listening to music I listen to a comedy podcast. If you're on a machine at the gym you can even try watching netflix or hulu on your smart phone. I've done that a few times as well.

You could try group classes at the gym. Those aren't usually boring.

Lasmartchika

heathergarland2013 wrote: »

@PeachyPlum I have taken a zumba class before it is really fun! But to take zumba, I have to have a gym membership. And if I pay $45 for a membership, I feel obligated to work out at the gym on the days that there's no zumba. But the gym is the boring place that I hate, which discourages me. However, I can ride my bike around town and on some back roads and that's really enjoyable! I may have to find some new places to ride lol Thanks for the tip!

There's Zumba videos on Youtube... I like that better than the DVD's because I can always change the songs every workout, it doesn't get boring for me... and it's free.

JoRocka

exercise isn't to entertain you.

stop thinking you need to be entertained in order to do something and the problem solves itself.

JediMasterNaw

I have a stationary bike at my house and to relieve the boredom/take my mind off how long my exercise hour feels, I play xbox while I bike. Or I watch a movie/tv show. I've even read a book while on my bike (which is something you could do while at the gym). Anything to distract myself but still get in my workout

yesimpson

What about dancing, or finding a team sport you like?

feisty_bucket

Listening to audiobooks or podcasts can help.

This too:

JoRocka wrote: »

exercise isn't to entertain you.

I disagree when people say "find something to do that you like!" Then you end up with "exercise" and being "fit". When it's time for fitness, I do the most useful things I can think of. When it's time to enjoy myself, I'm all-in for that too. I don't think it's a good idea to half-*kitten* things.

DevilsFan1

The most boring thing I do on any given day is sit in a car. Instead of driving places, try walking or riding a bike there. Exercise doesn't have to be a separate thing set aside from the rest of your life. FInd a way to incorporate it into your regular routine.

rcontr7

feisty_bucket wrote: »

Listening to audiobooks or podcasts can help.

This too:

JoRocka wrote: »

exercise isn't to entertain you.

I disagree when people say "find something to do that you like!" Then you end up with "exercise" and being "fit". When it's time for fitness, I do the most useful things I can think of. When it's time to enjoy myself, I'm all-in for that too. I don't think it's a good idea to half-*kitten* things.

This is bad advice. Why waste your life doing anything you absolutely hate? Just because you enjoy it doesn't mean it's not hard. You can't use the advice of doing something you enjoy as an excuse to do something easy but that doesn't mean be miserable. I love running and spinning, both of which are high intensity cardio. I hate running on a treadmill but love trail running. I hate choreographed exercise. Do something you love because it's more sustainable than doing something you hate.

snowflake954

If "boring" is the problem--let me tell you. I love boring, repetitive movements. It gives me time to think and plan, since the rest of my day is busy from 6:00 in the morning to 12:00 at night. I don't have much free time, so this time " for me" is precious. Sometimes you just have to look at things in a different way to appreciate them. Best.

snowflake954

If "boring" is the problem--let me tell you. I love boring, repetitive movements. It gives me time to think and plan, since the rest of my day is busy from 6:00 in the morning to 12:00 at night. I don't have much free time, so this time " for me" is precious. Sometimes you just have to look at things in a different way to appreciate them. Best.

leggup

What are your goals? To lose weight, you just need to eat less. Exercise is for fitness and general health (still a good thing!).

Have you ever taken a class? I liked zumba, but if you take the same teacher all the time, some are not very creative. What about social ballroom/social dance? I do lindy hop (a type of swing dance) and let me say that no two dances are alike. I see that you live in the south, so you might be able to find some two step, jazz, blues, and the regular ballroom stuff (foxtrox, waltz, cha cha, etc). There are also solo dance classes, if partnered dancing isn't your thing. I'm taking an adult jazz class right now. Next I'm thinking intro to ballet, into to contemporary, and maybe some of their hip hop offerings.

As for the standard boring stuff: running and lifting... there are apps out there that are meant to turn it into a game, like ZombieRUN and Fitocracy. I like to beat my own numbers using RunKeeper.

shadowfax_c11

feisty_bucket wrote: »

Listening to audiobooks or podcasts can help.

This too:

JoRocka wrote: »

exercise isn't to entertain you.

I disagree when people say "find something to do that you like!" Then you end up with "exercise" and being "fit". When it's time for fitness, I do the most useful things I can think of. When it's time to enjoy myself, I'm all-in for that too. I don't think it's a good idea to half-*kitten* things.

I get my non-work related exercise practicing a martial art and riding horses. Both of which I do at a high level and am very serious about. There is no half-assery going on. It is quite possible to do physical activity that is both enjoyable and serious.

Personally I have never seen the point to walking or running in place for miles or doing other exercise that has no point outside of burning energy. I prefer a physically active and challenging practice that not only works my body but also requires the use of my brain and that will lead to learning and developing new and useful skill sets.

NoxDineen

besee_2000 wrote: »

Workout DVD's and classes will make the time go super fast. If you get the right one for your style you'll get hooked.
Personal favorite DVD's
Jillian Michael's Body Revolution, Hard Body, Yoga Meltdown, Kickboxing, a few others but they all start to blend together.
Turbo Fire with Chalene Johnson is amazing once you have endurance
Zumba classes and local bootcamps are a ton of fun too because everyone is encouraging but all different levels of fitness.

This is what worked for me. I always found running boring and the gym intimidating. But I started doing DVDs at home after entering a Biggest Loser at work solely to prevent a boastful coworker from winning. I started with Jillian Michaels Ripped in 30, where you change moves every 30 seconds. Moved on to Insanity, where you're too occupied imagining slapping Shaun T and feeling proud of yourself to get bored.

I actually started running on trails after that and found that I LOVED it.

Keep looking, the right thing for you may be unconventional. If I super can't motivate myself I just put on loud music and have a living room dance party.

mwyvr

What's really boring is being grossly overweight, unfit, with health problems up the wazoo, bed-ridden or stuck on the couch forever and a day, in your 50's, 60's, 70's and so on if one should last that long.

Insurance (exercise) might be boring to you but the alternative is worse.

No doubt you'll find things you like. Mixing things up helps too!

VintageFeline

I like full body workouts. My past as a gymnast and dancer mean I quite like being shouted at and pushed to my limits whilst being offered constant variety. I have discovered I really like Insanity, which means circuit classes kicking my butt until I feel like I want to cry. But I still enjoy it. If I don't enjoy it I simply won't do it for any sustained period. There are so many options being miserable for an hour isn't necessary.

When I was a kid I was a really good middle distance runner but I really really hate running and always have, I even used to hate the warm up jogs round the sports centre pre-gymnastics we were made to do.

I also can't bear going to the gym, using machines to stay in one spot while staring at a wall. I need much more stimulation than that. It's why I can't ever see me getting into lifting either, never say never but just not for me.

So I lie firmly in the "find something you love" camp, or at least something you quite like, just because you like it doesn't mean it's not challenging as a previous poster pointed out.

Willbenchforcupcakes

JoRocka wrote: »

exercise isn't to entertain you.

stop thinking you need to be entertained in order to do something and the problem solves itself.

Very much this.

urloved33

I dont think you are saying that you think exercise should be entertaing...u are saying you hate to exercise. so do it...but i love how i feel after I do it and i never regret it and its a needed thing to be healthy. some people LOVE to exercise...i don't but i do it.

rileyes

Try timing yourself. Then try to beat your time. The challenge keeps it interesting. What sports do you like? You could get a partner to play basketball or tennis with or round up a group of friends for a weekend of volleyball or baseball. There are lots of cycling groups too. Find something you like and compete.