How to change your mindset about exercise?

Hansonian
Hansonian Posts: 78 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
My family has always hated the idea of "exercise."

We enjoy walking, swimming, hiking, etc. but the idea of doing a workout video in the living room brings this feeling of dread. Unfortunately, those outdoors things are really hard to do during the winter and they aren't very practical to do every day, even in the summer.

How can I change how I feel about exercising, specifically at home or the gym? Honestly, I don't HATE my workout videos. I have a great set of videos, but just the idea of exercise makes me think of any and every excuse why I don't want to. Let me also say, I force myself to do them, but I dread it all day. I'd like to enjoy or even look forward to my workout sometimes!

Thanks for the help!

Replies

  • Carrot1971
    Carrot1971 Posts: 272 Member
    If you dread doing the exercise videos then don't do them. Find something you will enjoy. Yes, winter months hamper mobility but there has to be SOMETHING you enjoy that gets you moving. Do you have Kinect? Perhaps a new game you can buy? I love the dancing games and Wipeout. You certainly work up a sweat doing it. How about a treadmill in front of your favorite tv program. Make yourself a deal that you can only watch your favorite show on the treadmill. Or make a game during your tv viewing...challenge the hubby to see who can do the most pushups during a commercial. Or everytime Jillian says "HARDER" on the Biggest Loser you have to do a 30 second plank. These are just some ideas to make it fun so it seems less like work. I myself have a huge mirror in my exercise room downstairs to I can see how much progress I have yet to go...its all the motivation I need to see the fat jiggle....lol.
  • Jennwa
    Jennwa Posts: 107 Member
    Hi! I am in the same boat! I force myself to do them too. I often find excuses not to as well. I have a stationary bike, elliptical, dvd's, and a Wii. You would think I wouldn't be bored doing them, its just the thought of doing it.

    I am going to follow this to see what kind of ideas someone might have!
  • concordancia
    concordancia Posts: 5,320 Member
    Have you tried:

    hula hooping?
    Zumba?
    Belly dancing?
    Social dancing?
    Putting on your favorite music and jamming out?
    Bodyweight exercises that would help you do some of your favorite outdoor activities in the spring?
  • dumb_blondes_rock
    dumb_blondes_rock Posts: 1,568 Member
    I hate working out...and i hate flossing my teeth and cleaning house and doing dishes...but you just have to view it as something you just have to do.
  • PRMinx
    PRMinx Posts: 4,585 Member
    Is a workout class out of the question?

    I find that the social element of working out in a group holds me accountable to going to the gym. Even then, I had to find something I really liked. Now that I have found a workout community that I love, I'm much more consistent.
  • Hornsby
    Hornsby Posts: 10,322 Member
    Results will change your mind.
  • Mia_RagazzaTosta
    Mia_RagazzaTosta Posts: 4,885 Member
    It's all about finding something you enjoy. Once you find it, it's no longer a chore.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    We enjoy walking, swimming, hiking, etc. but the idea of doing a workout video in the living room brings this feeling of dread. Unfortunately, those outdoors things are really hard to do during the winter and they aren't very practical to do every day, even in the summer.

    I wholeheartedly disagree. You would never find me doing a workout DVD and rarely would you find me on some piece of cardio equipment. If I'm in the gym you will find me in the weight room...otherwise you will find me out on a hike, or out for a walk, riding my bike, swimming, etc. I do these things 5-6 days per week, summer, fall, winter, spring...
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    Have you tried:

    hula hooping?
    Zumba?
    Belly dancing?
    Social dancing?
    Putting on your favorite music and jamming out?
    Bodyweight exercises that would help you do some of your favorite outdoor activities in the spring?

    Pole dancing
    Rebounding
    Step aerobics....................(in other words) keep looking

    I had a subscription to Netflix by mail......I would get a new workout every week. It was fun to pick out new workouts .....it was like shopping. I used collagevideo.com to make a list. After several months.......I found something that I liked doing & other things I didn't hate.

    Cardio is my favorite thing.....but strength training is something that I have to put on a "schedule".....or it won't happen. But this is progress.........
  • kwaz29
    kwaz29 Posts: 190 Member
    i agree with the people above who said to try some classes at the gym...they are great for motivation and making new friends!

    also, just because it's winter doesn't mean you have to stay inside! In the winter you can ski or snowboard, cross country ski, snowshoe, or hike in the snow, and there are some crazy people who still go running in the ice and snow! Just bundle up and get out there :)
  • ModernNerd
    ModernNerd Posts: 336 Member
    Have a goal! Personally I really dislike upper body strength training. Mah lil arms glare at me the whole day knowing the ensuing unhappiness. But I have a goal of being able to do at least one unassisted pull up, so by golly I put in the work to get there. Knowing that there's a reward at the end of all the work does wonders for my motivation. Hope that helps:)
  • bkjk997
    bkjk997 Posts: 106 Member
    I'm one who has always *loathed* the idea of exercise for the sake of exercise. Like you, I enjoy swimming and walking, but I used to say, "The only time you'll see me running is if there's a bear behind me!"

    However, I have learned that after 2 weeks of working out 6 days per week, I finally got that feeling that people get addicted to. I've been at it 6 weeks now, and I can't say I'm addicted, but I do love the feeling I get after a good workout. If you make yourself do it for a bit, you'll get to a point where it's not so bad. You might even enjoy it. You just have to push through that initial phase. For me, it was 2 weeks, but it might be different for you. Starting my workout is the hardest part, once I'm moving, I don't mind it, and I'm determined to finish.

    One of the things that got me working out regularly was Just Dance 4 on the PlayStation... the kids had a BALL laughing at my goofy moves in the beginning... But now I can score higher than them on some of the songs. They never thought mom would kick their butts! Dancing is a great family activity!

    And, having a buddy helped a LOT. My niece was here over the holidays, so we worked out together for the first 10 days or so. That made a huge difference in forming habits and knowing exactly what to do.

    I agree with the gym classes... even if it's only once per week, you might find yourself motivated to work out at home the rest of the week, in prep for the next class.

    In the past, when I decided to "start working out," I always thought I had to do push ups and sit ups (the two things I hate most). I would push myself too hard (thinking, if you're going to do something, do it right!) and get really, really sore, then quit before I ever saw success.

    This time, I decided the whole idea is to simply move more and eat less, and to do it more gradually. So, I do whatever I feel like that day, as long as I *do* something. I've discovered that I like step aerobics a heck of a lot more than the elliptical trainer or treadmill, and it burns more calories. For me, I have to mix it up. Doing the same thing for long periods is not going to help me make this a life change.

    Find the thing you hate the least and do that. Always try new things, you might be surprised by what you enjoy. Start small to create good habits, and worry about burning tons of calories later, after those good habits are formed. They say it takes 21 days to form a habit (good or bad), so stick to it for at least 3 weeks. If you do it right, you will likely see a difference in that time.
  • nvpixie
    nvpixie Posts: 483 Member
    We think a lot alike about exercise. I loathe cardio and the gym. Yoga is the only thing I like doing with a video, but I put it off constantly. I like walking and bike riding too, but I'm lazy.

    I desperately need some motivation.
  • doubleclick_darling
    doubleclick_darling Posts: 100 Member
    I get out and just do it. I've also found an app that makes me want to get out and go for a walk. Zombies, Run has probably been one of the best motivators for me. There's such an interesting storyline to me that I just want to get up and play the next chapter in it (it feels a lot like a good book where I just have to read one more chapter). And I don't let the weather stop me. I just invested in a hat, thicker pants, and a good jacket since we had some brutal storms coming through. If I want to get out and go, I will go.

    I've also found a supportive group that has got me started on doing bodyweight strength training. Having the support and accountability to just do it has helped a lot.
  • Hansonian
    Hansonian Posts: 78 Member
    Wow! First, let me start by saying thank you to everyone for your generous input!

    I would like to assure you all that I have discipline and no problem with making myself do the workouts. I've been working out for 5 weeks, 4 times per week consistently. I can make myself do it, but I have some friends who just LOVE working out. It's as if they would hate their lives if they couldn't work out at the gym, at home, anywhere. I want to get a little of that enthusiasm for working out!

    I live out in the boondocks currently, so the closest gym that offers classes is almost an hour away (the closest gym is half an hour!) I used to take pilates classes in college and I enjoyed them mostly for the social aspect, but since I moved here, there really hasn't been any opportunity.

    I've already started seeing results from my workouts, but while I like the results, I don't like the workout. I don't have a wii fit or kinect, so those are out. I understand the idea of working toward a reward, which is why I've done it so long, but I want to WANT to workout.

    As for going outside and working out, I think that's great for some people, but personally, I would rather run on the treadmill until I throw up than be cold. There's nothing I hate more in this world than being cold! :p

    Bkjk, You have a LOT of great advice, and I will definitely be taking some of it! Also, I love the philosophy of simply eating less and moving more. I just wish I enjoyed the moving more part, more!

    I'm going to try just sticking with it and making it a life-habit. I'm hoping my body will get used to it and will be unhappy if I don't give it that exercise, instead of happy that I don't have to do it!
    Again, thank you all so much for your advice! I welcome any more!
  • eso2012
    eso2012 Posts: 337 Member
    Cliche it may be, but I cannot stress enough about LOVING what you do. I was not atheltic but for a while subscribed to the old school gym (teeny bit cardio, weight machine, free weights). I got some good results but DREADED every session.

    In the past few years, partly because of the home workout movements and the development of new, body-weight-focused exercises, I actually look forward to moving.

    It's a long story, but here're some suggestions
    - Try out as many different exercises as you can. So many freebies these days on youtube or other sites, you can always get a taste of differnt programmes then decide which one you like.
    - Find that little happy voice. I like to know that I earn that shower after my workout. I like to feel the sweat and my body grows stronger. It's a bit like looking forward to your favourite dish....you get to find that carrot that works only for you.
    - At first,don't worry about completing a workout if you cannot. It's far better to move for 10 mins and enjoy it (and increase to longer periods next day) then to feel dead after completing it and don't want to see that DVD again ever!

    Good luck
  • eso2012
    eso2012 Posts: 337 Member
    Oh, I started a thread called "Like Fitnessblender. Any other similar sites?" - lots of good suggestions there for you to try from home.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    As for going outside and working out, I think that's great for some people, but personally, I would rather run on the treadmill until I throw up than be cold. There's nothing I hate more in this world than being cold! :p

    <<<<< dress for the occasion. proper attire makes all the difference. this particular profile picture was brisk (temps in the teens) morning for a 25 mile ride...with proper attire I was just fine and sweating bullets by the time I was done.
  • AsaThorsWoman
    AsaThorsWoman Posts: 2,303 Member
    Just do the exercise you love! Walking and hiking is exercise!
  • AsaThorsWoman
    AsaThorsWoman Posts: 2,303 Member
    I walked for months and months before i was even remotely inclined to push it up to a jog.

    Now a year later I've run 5 miles!
  • cafeaulait7
    cafeaulait7 Posts: 2,459 Member
    I think most boondocks NC towns still have roller skating rinks, no? Mine does, anyway :D (I live in a small town, but it's a very quick commute to two or three large ones, so I'm lucky). Hit the roller skating rinks with all the tweens and kids. It's fun! I always liked rollerskating, though. It's usually darned cheap, and it's warm :)
  • Hansonian
    Hansonian Posts: 78 Member
    You're probably right. I just have to get over this idea in my mind that cold outside means that I'm cold!
  • Hansonian
    Hansonian Posts: 78 Member
    I get out and just do it. I've also found an app that makes me want to get out and go for a walk. Zombies, Run has probably been one of the best motivators for me. There's such an interesting storyline to me that I just want to get up and play the next chapter in it (it feels a lot like a good book where I just have to read one more chapter). And I don't let the weather stop me. I just invested in a hat, thicker pants, and a good jacket since we had some brutal storms coming through. If I want to get out and go, I will go.

    I've also found a supportive group that has got me started on doing bodyweight strength training. Having the support and accountability to just do it has helped a lot.

    I'm a big fan of this idea. I love to read or listen to stories, so a story might actually be the thing to make my workout enjoyable!
  • Hansonian
    Hansonian Posts: 78 Member
    I think most boondocks NC towns still have roller skating rinks, no? Mine does, anyway :D (I live in a small town, but it's a very quick commute to two or three large ones, so I'm lucky). Hit the roller skating rinks with all the tweens and kids. It's fun! I always liked rollerskating, though. It's usually darned cheap, and it's warm :)

    I LOVE rollerblading! That is one of my favorite ideas so far! Unfortunately, the closest one is an hour away. I'm telling you, I'm in the boonies! :p But, I live on a lake, so during the summer, there's lots of opportunities for exercise. It's a give give situation.
  • Hansonian
    Hansonian Posts: 78 Member
    I walked for months and months before i was even remotely inclined to push it up to a jog.

    Now a year later I've run 5 miles!

    Congratulations! That's really great and very encouraging!
  • scrittrice
    scrittrice Posts: 345 Member
    <<<<< dress for the occasion. proper attire makes all the difference. this particular profile picture was brisk (temps in the teens) morning for a 25 mile ride...with proper attire I was just fine and sweating bullets by the time I was done.

    I second this. This winter I finally invested in some really good layers--makes all the difference.
  • Beautifulbridgittlee7
    Beautifulbridgittlee7 Posts: 352 Member
    Join the y or something and go swimming indoors or do rollerblading or biking, running, etc.

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