How to stop quitting exercise?

Emme871
Emme871 Posts: 7 Member
in Getting Started
So, I’m a serial quitter, I make it 5 minutes into a workout then it hurts or I get out of breath and quit. Any tips to stop doing that? I hate that I do it but can’t seem to make myself stop that.

Replies

  • lg013
    lg013 Posts: 215 Member
    I always recommend trying to find things you love doing and that don’t feel forced so you feel more motivated.

    Since you’re just starting up, if you’re following a work out plan, maybe start by dividing it in half and working up to it, or allowing more breaks.

    If you’re doing cardio on a machine, try intervals...do a minute at a hard pace and then slow down your pace to where you feel like you can breathe and move again..and repeat..you can increase the time or the resistance as you find your groove!

    You could also try doing a few small workouts throughout the day...5 min 4 different times of day adds up to 20!

    And, if day one you get 5 min in...you got up there and did it...tomorrow, aim for 6 min...and increase to work your way up as you can. Remember, we all have to start somewhere. Make small achievable goals and find accountability partners to help keep you going!

  • yirara
    yirara Posts: 9,927 Member
    You don't need to work out, though it's good for general health. Why not try to find something that you enjoy? Hiking in combination with taking photos? Parkours? mums football (socker) club ? Inline skating? Anything outside that isn't as dull as standing on a treadmill? Any other teamsports? There's so much you could do, really.
  • nippybadger
    nippybadger Posts: 12 Member
    To echo Ig013’s point about achievable goals..

    If you hurt or are out of breath after five minutes, then stop and build on that. You describe yourself as a serial quitter (and I can relate by the way) but does that mean you’ve tried multiple times, only ever been able to do five minutes and given up in disgust? If so, perhaps your expectations for the beginning of the process are too high. Because it can be a painfully slow process. At least it was for me and I eventually built up to an hour a day, five times a week and nobody was more shocked than I was. (Sadly I’m currently having to start almost from scratch again.)

    Rather than aim for six tomorrow, I’d even cut yourself more slack and give yourself a full week of doing a good five and then step up to six for a week etc. Again that’s how I started last time out and actually I started at five as well. :) Though in my case my difficulties stemmed from a challenging combination of very poor fitness and Butterfly Mind Syndrome. I just used to get so bored, I wanted to yell. (People make light of that, but it’s no joke.)

    You do need to take care if you consistently find yourself in pain or short of breath. You have to expect this stuff of course, but if you’re at all in doubt then see your doctor just to be sure. But all things being equal my advice for what it’s worth, is to give yourself a pat on the back for doing it despite the difficulties. Don’t push yourself into another failure, expect a slow lengthy process and embrace it rather then be daunted by it. Sort out a really good playlist on your MP3 player and lose yourself in it while your workout happens in the background. :)

    Good luck
    Badger



  • lg013
    lg013 Posts: 215 Member
    Agree with Nippybadger above...you don’t have to push for a minute everyday—judge how you feel and where your body is at before you push further. That moment you feel “I can do more” go for it. There is no shame in working up to it at a pace that works best for you.
  • paulbrttn
    paulbrttn Posts: 72 Member
    Try c25k, it starts very gradually, with stopping and walking being a part of the programme. Will build you up to a level of fitness so you can either switch to something you prefer or carry on running. Otherwise try following workout videos, pause it when you need to rest and then play again, this way you finish the workout with the goal being to get to a point where you don't pause any more.
  • darklyndsea
    darklyndsea Posts: 56 Member
    It's okay to start off at an easier pace. For instance, you can go on walks. You can even start off with a 5 minute walk! Or even less, if that's a lot for you (no judgement, everybody's got to start somewhere). Or if you're going to a gym, you can start with stepping foot in the door the first day, then doing some stretching the next day. Then build up over time. Remember, the goal is to build habits for a lifetime, so it doesn't matter how slow the beginning is as long as you eventually increase the amount you do to a good amount. And in my experience, building habits is easier if you start off easy rather than starting with maximum intensity.
  • lauragreenbaum
    lauragreenbaum Posts: 1,017 Member
    IPO you need to find a type of exercise you like. Personally, I hate gyms. I tried for a long time to work out in gyms, do yoga, etc, but nothing clicked until I discovered Pilates. I LOVE it! I literally go every day. For you, it might be something else- bike riding, walking, hiking, swimming, jazzercise, yoga.....try everything until you find something you really enjoy, then you'll stick to it.

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