Does exercise ever get fun?
RebeccaBecca26
Posts: 45
I have been working out for a week now- and I'm doing it but not liking it. I know I need to do it for my health and for weigh loss- but my question to everyone is:
Did you ever start liking exercise?
How long before it got "easier"?
What keeps you going back to the gym for more?
Did you ever start liking exercise?
How long before it got "easier"?
What keeps you going back to the gym for more?
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Replies
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If you do something you want to do, exercise is usually fun. I love lifting - therefore I lift. I love swimming - therefore I swim, etc. I hate running and elliptical machines so I don't do those.
Rule #1 - Find something you enjoy. You don't have to be excited about it, but find something that you won't quit.0 -
If you do something you want to do, exercise is usually fun. I love lifting - therefore I lift. I love swimming - therefore I swim, etc. I hate running and elliptical machines so I don't do those.
Rule #1 - Find something you enjoy. You don't have to be excited about it, but find something that you won't quit.
^^ yep, this
Find something you like to do, that you can challenge yourself at and get better at and you will enjoy it!0 -
Exercise became an addiction for me, but first I had to find something I loved. I tried zumba and a few other things and wasn't impressed so I kept trying different things until I came to running and I fell in love. From there, I couldn't stop! Then I started on strength and fell in love with that too. It's important you try different things until you find something you really enjoy. From there its much easier to enjoy any exercise just because you are doing it.
Btw Rebecca is a great name (its mine too) ;-)0 -
What kind of exercise are you doing?
You have to find something that you enjoy doing. It's going to make long term adherence more likely if you do.0 -
I agree with the others... you have to find something you love.
I hate running, I tried but I really hated it so I switched to circuit training, dance, aerobics and fast walks.
Now I love it and it is now a passion and getting a bit easier since i'm in better shape.0 -
If you do something you want to do, exercise is usually fun. I love lifting - therefore I lift. I love swimming - therefore I swim, etc. I hate running and elliptical machines so I don't do those.
Rule #1 - Find something you enjoy. You don't have to be excited about it, but find something that you won't quit.
This ^^
It still may not always be fun. You'll have days when it's a chore, but if it's something you enjoy, most days should be pretty easy.
I have to mix my exercise up to keep it fun, as I get bored after a while. So, I do a variety of things - Zumba, Turbo Fire, weights, body weight exercises, hiking, biking, jump rope, exercise video games, running ...0 -
Exercise is fun when it has a purpose and you enjoy training for that purpose. I couldn't imagine droning away endlessly on some elliptical or doing some dvd workout...but I love lifting weight, so I hit up the weight room 3x weekly...I love hitting the road or trail on my bike...that is my primary cardio...I enjoy running and swimming, so I do those as well.
In summary...you need to find something you enjoy doing. I'd also advise finding some other purpose for exercise beyond the fact that you just feel that you have to do it or for weight loss, etc. Really, exercise simply for the sake of exercise usually doesn't last too long.0 -
You have to try different things until to find what you like to do. I like to lift and run. So I lift and I run. I don't like cardio machines, or classes like Zumba, so I don't do that.0
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As others have said, you need to find something you like! There was an article recently in the huffington post about finding the right exercise for your personality...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/21/fitness-personality_n_4110442.html
Edited to add: Someone else mentioned finding an exercise with a "purpose" other than weight loss. This was actually key for me. When I first joined a gym years ago, it was purely for weight loss. I went every single day, lost about 20 pounds, got bored, stopped going, put on 40 pounds. (This was before MFP and I wasn't counting calories.) A few years ago, I started getting terrible anxiety. I noticed that on days when I exercised, my anxiety wasn't as bad. THAT is what started my love of exercise - I hated feeling anxious, and it helped. So I continued. Weight loss was added plus. Eventually I discovered that I love spin classes and group weight lifting classes. So I do those. There's no way I would get out of bed at 5am if I didn't love doing them. So...try lots of different activities until you find something that makes you want to get out of bed at 5am!! (Or something along those lines!)0 -
I would much rather walk outside than at the gym. I love the change of scenery and fresh air. Also, the right soundtrack makes exercising so much easier for me. Keep it up - you'll love the results.0
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a week....
well you probably havent seen much in the way of results yet.
reason i say that is because once i started seeing and feeling the difference, the fun meter started rising...
and now im just in love with it and my fun meter is full engorged!!0 -
I agree, find something you like. For me it's more about finding something I tolerate though. The only thing I kinda like is walking, but because I can think or listen to music or whatever at the same time, and running is not my thing. I lift weights but I can't say I enjoy it much, I just do it because I have to.0
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I have been working out for a week now- and I'm doing it but not liking it. I know I need to do it for my health and for weigh loss- but my question to everyone is:
Did you ever start liking exercise?
How long before it got "easier"?
What keeps you going back to the gym for more?
Nope, I hate it
It never gets easier, because I try and keep the intensity going
I'm very goal oriented and I know that exercise will help me meet certain health & fitness goals0 -
I have fun improving. I don't especially enjoy running, but when I see my distance and pace improve it excites me to do more. In that sense, I find that it gets more fun and I see what more I can accomplish.0
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What a lot of people here already said. Easiest way to start - find a sport you think you would enjoy playing and start playing . Go from there . Good luck !!0
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Yes, when I found an exercise I enjoyed. I dislike running, love walking. Hate the elliptical but I'm addicted to the rower. I particularly like outdoor exercise with no gym, cycling is my number one passion but it needs to be outdoors. I also vary my exercise routines. Weights are my current passion.Did you ever start liking exercise?
It shouldn't get easier, you get faster and stronger.How long before it got "easier"?
Results. I can see the difference in my times on the rower. I feel stronger and look more defined in the mirror from doing weights.What keeps you going back to the gym for more?0 -
Well, i love exercise! But not all exercise....Not running - hard on my knees and - well - i am just not good at it. Gave that up many years ago. But found cycling. Totally different. I am good at cycling. And it is good for weight loss. So this works. I am competitive too and am always trying to go faster - again good for weight loss. It has been so important in my weight loss journey. Because of cycling - i can eat more and lose weight.
But cycling on a machine indoors? NO. That would not be sustainable for me.
So like all others have said - you need to find something tolerable to you and who knows - when you start seeing results - it may go from tolerable to "like" to - gee i really like doing this!0 -
I could not stand to exercise.. now I do a different class 4 days a week. It keeps me accountable, met some people, and keep up my intensity because the attitude in the classes are fantastic.. cardio dance Mon, Zumba Tues, Insanity Wed, Turbo kick Thurs.... but I agree.. you have to find something to fit your personality. I hated the mundane treadmill and eliptical.. an hour seemed like forever... in class.. it goes by so fast!0
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Yep, you are getting good advice here, find something you like and you will stick with it when you find it fun. Good luck.0
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I think it's already been said, but find something that you like to do, or get some good tunes to listen to. Helps to pass the time! I love to walk outdoors so when the weather has been nicer it has been great, but now it is getting colder and while I don't mind the machines at the gym, they can get a bit monotonous. I sometimes try to look at it as a count down instead of how long I have been on the machine. I look forward to the halfway point, five minutes left, and so on! I also remember why it is that I am going through all of this. Hope it helps!0
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Yes! I have made it point to make friends with people I admire physically at the gym. I love working out with a partner or in a group. Now that I have my circle of friends at the gym its always fun walking in. Plus it keeps me accountable. It is especially fun meeting my next goal, lifting heavier, running faster, the list goes on:) Plus whats better then the endorphins that kick in during and after your workout???0
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I don't know that it gets "fun". I mean, not like a day at the beach fun.
But, it will get easier and you will start to find the non weight related effects fun. It's hell trying to get myself to do it sometimes, but knowing how I'll feel afterwards is enough of a reason for me.0 -
I have never been a fan of exercising. I turn bright red, sweat a lot and I am easily out of breath. So I recently joined Curves and I love it. It is a circuit set in a circle. You go around the circle twice and you're done in 30 minutes. A little recording tells you to change stations every 30 seconds. Most days I am done exercising before I know it. I always feel uncomfortable at the gym and I never know what to do. I like Curves because it gives me the machines I need to work on. I feel comfortable going there. I am out of shape and it is the perfect starting point for me. Maybe after I get in shape I might look into other exercise avenues, but for now this is my perfect fit. I am starting off easy, not over extending myself and it isn't overwhelming.0
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Did you ever start liking exercise?
How long before it got "easier"?
What keeps you going back to the gym for more?
I only "like" exercise when it's an exercise I actually enjoy. For example, like others have said, I'm not a runner. I hate running, but I absolutely love TurboKick and Kickboxing classes. When those aren't available I try changing it up, going to yoga or zumba. If I must, I stay on the elliptical for 30 to 60 minutes.
It gets easier after you consistently do the workouts, but it shouldn't be "easy." As it feels like you're not really breaking a sweat, try upping the intensity.
RESULTS are definitely a big part of my returning to the gym every other day. Not just on the scale, but the way my clothes are fitting too. I think once you see progress, you're going to keep pushing for more progress!
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I don't know that it gets "fun". I mean, not like a day at the beach fun.
But, it will get easier and you will start to find the non weight related effects fun. It's hell trying to get myself to do it sometimes, but knowing how I'll feel afterwards is enough of a reason for me.
See, the 'afterwards feelings' I have yet to find and it's been 9 months. All I can feel afterwards is tired and sore... and I've tried a lot of different things!0 -
I love going to the gym now. I plan around it to make sure I get to my fav classes. Body Combat and Step are my favs (not coordinated enough for Zumba). And absolutely LOVE yoga. I tolerate treadmills and elipticals but would prefer to be outside. I have to have a movie on to make the time pass on machines.0
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The actual exercise doesn't get easier but I love the feeling afterwards, the runner's high. That's what motivates me.0
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I have been exercising since the end of June... So, about 4 months or so I believe. I have just started liking it within the past month. I started out walking, then I found love for Zumba, then I found love for running. Still to this day I HATE strength training... I don't look forward to it at all. I've tried to make it fun but haven't found the way for me yet.
You will get there! Just keep pushing.
Oh, and I haven't stepped foot in a gym in 8 years. I work out from home!0 -
Ive found I really enjoy my time on the elliptical, and also walking outdoors. Its a few minutes of total "me" time...I can listen to some music privately and just follow my own thoughts, and I like how I feel comfortably tired after a good sweaty walk or session. Surprised me too!0
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