I can't get motivated on the treadmill.

natashalynnx
natashalynnx Posts: 34 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I love lifting weights and that's what I mostly wanted to focus on when I started exercising; but cardio is important too of course. I can't seem to run for more than 5 minutes without giving up. I always feel like i'm getting nowhere on it. I may sound dumb asking but Could it partially be because it's a manual treadmill i'm using?

Replies

  • Papillon22
    Papillon22 Posts: 1,160 Member
    I don't think it's a dumb question. I despise working out on machines, they bore me to death. I rather walk outside; do you think you'd be more motivated if you ran outside?
  • ZombieEarhart
    ZombieEarhart Posts: 320 Member
    I hate the treadmill, I can only run on it for more than 5 minutes if someone is next to me and I can talk to them. Go outside, it's a totally different experience!
  • HorsesForever21
    HorsesForever21 Posts: 4
    I feel your pain:( I hate my treadmill so much!! However, as other people have said, walking/jogging/running outside is an enjoyable and efficient alternative:)
  • Sartajsingh85
    Sartajsingh85 Posts: 24 Member
    it partially be because it's a manual treadmill i'm using?


    This ...
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    it partially be because it's a manual treadmill i'm using?


    This ...

    Yes. I despise the treadmill as it is, but a manual one - forget it.

    I prefer to run outside and do whenever I can. For the times that I had to do treadmill work, I opted for interval type training. I found that focusing on counting down to the next interval at least somewhat occupied my mind. You can do walk/run intervals or running/jogging, alternating incline, whatever. You can google treadmill workouts, there are tons online.
  • michellekicks
    michellekicks Posts: 3,624 Member
    I can run for 2 1/2 hours outside. I want to kill myself after 10 minutes on a treadmill.
  • 3dogsrunning
    3dogsrunning Posts: 27,167 Member
    I can run for 2 1/2 hours outside. I want to kill myself after 10 minutes on a treadmill.

    Yup.
  • Sinisterly
    Sinisterly Posts: 10,913 Member
    You could just use cardio to warm up and cool down, and do the rest with weights.
    Absolutely nothing wrong with that.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    I can run for 2 1/2 hours outside. I want to kill myself after 10 minutes on a treadmill.

    Yup.

    this.

    i get lost in a long run outside. usually i don't even have music.

    but on a treadmill, i can do maybe a mile. a manual treadmill?? eff that noise.


    go run outside. it's great.
  • tworthen79
    tworthen79 Posts: 1,173 Member
    I HATE the treadmill and so I bought an elliptical and even that bores me. I've lost the majority of my weight, by eating at a deficit and walking. I love being outside, change of scenery and at times it doesn't even seem like exercise.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    You could just use cardio to warm up and cool down, and do the rest with weights.
    Absolutely nothing wrong with that.

    oh, i totally do this. i foam roll, then i usually run about a mile to warm up. then some dynamic stretching. then i'll cool off with a slow jog on the treadmill.
  • divagabrielle
    divagabrielle Posts: 5
    I can really 'zone' out on the treadmill with my favorite music. I make sure to vary the incline & speed occasionally, but I focus on the music & it's fine. I like being able to zone out, not having to pay attention to where I'm going, or start thinking about how far I've gone so I can figure out when I've reached the half-way point of my walk. On the treadmill, when I'm done walking, I stop. If that = 10 min & suicidal thoughts :wink: for you, and/or you like the thinking that goes into walking outdoors & know you will walk more, by ALL means, get outside!
  • TomZot
    TomZot Posts: 165 Member
    I managed to get through our miserable winter using the treadmill quite a bit. I found it helpful to:

    1- I bought BlueTooth headphones so I could listen to music on my phone while running.
    2- I covered the treadmill screen with a towel so I didn't see every second tick by.
    3- Vary the incline now and then, also use the preprogrammed routes if available.

    Ran up to 10 miles on it. Tolerable. Much happier outside. :)
  • ereck44
    ereck44 Posts: 1,170 Member
    I felt the same way when I started, but it gets easier. I will add a little time each time and vary the speed. Sometimes I'll do a pattern of walking 2 minutes and running 2 minutes and then jogging 4 minutes, then repeat. Tunes help, TV, anything to distract. Good luck--cardio is important but try to find something you enjoy.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    I can run for 2 1/2 hours outside. I want to kill myself after 10 minutes on a treadmill.

    Agreed. Loathe the hamster wheel, love the trail.
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,336 Member
    Treadmills are mindnumbingly boring, and you feel like you are going no where because, well, you are going no where when you are on a treadmill. :wink:
  • RedArizona5
    RedArizona5 Posts: 465 Member
    See now I love the treadmill. I love the outdoors more though, but, there's times in the season where the bugs won't have any mercy and, before i got married i was running outside (no gym or money) I had no choice anyways I must have eaten like 6 gnat-like- bugs on this trail at a campus i visited. I laugh now but it was dodging bullets and had a really bad run that day as well as other times- which was late summer early fall. Also, getting used to the sun really takes time when your trying to run faster, all the sudden, it doesn't help unless your a super athletic type of shape(I'm not) I really like how the atmosphere at a gym is predictable and being able to gulp on water when you really need it helps so much with hard run. But I guess I love the best of both worlds and can use that to my advantage when i get bored with the one I can go to the other:) I would love to take anyones equipment off their hands though if they don't want theirs at a reasonable pricer if you feel you could use some of the lost money on getting equipment you will not enjoy:) just message me yeah?
  • loubidy
    loubidy Posts: 440 Member
    Absolutely agree that the treadmill is so BORING!!! I like outside where I can make physical distance goals like "I can make it to the 30 signs, oh why not the carpark, hey, I'm not dead yet lets get to the farm"
  • RedArizona5
    RedArizona5 Posts: 465 Member
    I can really 'zone' out on the treadmill with my favorite music. I make sure to vary the incline & speed occasionally, but I focus on the music & it's fine. I like being able to zone out, not having to pay attention to where I'm going, or start thinking about how far I've gone so I can figure out when I've reached the half-way point of my walk. On the treadmill, when I'm done walking, I stop. If that = 10 min & suicidal thoughts :wink: for you, and/or you like the thinking that goes into walking outdoors & know you will walk more, by ALL means, get outside!


    This all the way when I run on the treadmill; good music tuned in like upbeat fast light tropical techno(zumba:)???) along with good settings, I can fix the crave my hips get when it's raining cats and dogs outside or just not feeling the outdoors:)it can be nice if you have the music for it:)
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    I love lifting weights and that's what I mostly wanted to focus on when I started exercising; but cardio is important too of course. I can't seem to run for more than 5 minutes without giving up. I always feel like i'm getting nowhere on it. I may sound dumb asking but Could it partially be because it's a manual treadmill i'm using?
    have you tried going out into the fresh air and running/walking there?
  • gagnon9691
    gagnon9691 Posts: 75 Member
    I put a movie or tv show on the ipad and just go until it is done. That helps a lot
  • ColeCake292012
    ColeCake292012 Posts: 247 Member
    Get off the treadmill.

    And maybe running just isn't your thing. There's many other ways to get cardio, whether it be walking, cycling, circuits, etc. And you could do this indoor or out!
  • Sovi_
    Sovi_ Posts: 575 Member
    Then get an interval timer and do HIIT intervals. Or find something else that you like.
  • Trechechus
    Trechechus Posts: 2,819 Member
    Treadmills suuuuuck! Running outside is so much better. You have to work harder, you actually feel like you're progressing and you get to look at pretty stuff.
  • Trechechus
    Trechechus Posts: 2,819 Member
    Then get an interval timer and do HIIT intervals. Or find something else that you like.

    Or this
  • lisele03
    lisele03 Posts: 133 Member
    I really like my treadmill. (it’s not a manual tho’) Although walking outside is great I don’t always want to do that in the rainy Northwest. So, as those above me said, the key for me is great music! I often try to match my stride to the beat and I vary speed and intensity throughout my workout. If you slow it down a bit you can even manage a little cha-cha step (in a straight line). Do that for a few minutes and try not to smile!
  • aproc
    aproc Posts: 1,033 Member
    Do you have access to another piece of cardio equipment? Find something you enjoy doing and it'll be easier. I hate running and can barely make a mile before quitting. I bike for my cardio because it's something I enjoy. Or do some sprints to get it over with quicker.
  • eileen0515
    eileen0515 Posts: 408 Member
    Where I live running is prey behavior. So I often use the treadmill, and like it. I put on my music, look out the window into the forest and jam. I like to vary elevation, speed, and distance. Five miles flies by, it helps to have a vivid imagination, which I do.
  • kandell
    kandell Posts: 473 Member
    Maybe try an elliptical? And possibly find something to entertain yourself while you're doing your cardio. I watch tv shows on my tablet and it's great. It keeps me distracted from the fact that my thighs are killing me :]

Categories