Would you exercise if you didn't have to?

rml_16

Ok. For all you gym lovers, good on you, get down with your bad selves.

I. I am NOT a gym lover. I hate the smell. I hate the chatters, I hate the non chatters. I hate the people who slam the weights down and I hate the tv channels. I hate running shoes and my shirt rides up uncomfortably.

I'm also Type 2 Diabetic (newly diagnosed.)

The thing is, since I started restricting my carbs to more reasonable levels, and started a drug regimen, I am dropping a consistent and pleasing amount of weight. I'm losing about 4 pounds a week which my doctor is quite pleased with as my nutrition plan is being followed.

So, if you didn't have to go? Would you? And can you tell me seriously why? I know for me it's mental and I will most likely eventually have to do it as the carb cutting won't be enough and I'm trying to mentally prepare myself.

I really don't know. I enjoy it to a point, but I could use that time for other things, too.

I HATE going into the gym, though. You might find you enjoy exercise more if you at least do your cardio elsewhere. Swim, walk, run, bike, rollerblade -- whatever -- outside instead.

be_patient

probably not at the moment honestly. hoping that will change in the future.

iPlatano

Of course I would.

I like getting the benefits of workout out.

IPAkiller

If I could have all the benefits of the gym, chiseled body, tons of energy and the "feel good" feeling and not have to work out, I'd never set foot in a gym. I have a lot of other stuff I could fill that time slot with. I don't think I'm alone either based on the wild popularity of pills, fad diets, ASOTV equipment and supplements that claim "Amazing Results with No Effort".

vim_n_vigor

I hate going to the gym, but luckily, there are many other ways to get exercise. Hiking, canoeing, walking, running, swimming, body weight exercises, my home gym, jumping rope, playing basketball, volleyball, etc, and may more, are all ways you can get exercise that don't in any way have to involve me stepping into a gym.

cwolfman13

My point is that the job is getting done right now without it. I'm trying to build myself up to going.

Your issue here is that you are looking at exercise solely as a means for weight loss...weight loss can easily be accomplished with no exercise whatsoever...weight control, whether it is to gain, maintain, or lose is largely about your diet, not your exercise.

Exercise is for fitness and is good for your overall health and well being. I've been maintaining for a year now and I exercise more than I ever did while I was losing...exercise isn't for weight control, though it can aid in that.

Also, you don't have to go to a gym to exercise...you don't have to drone away on cardio equipment...you don't have to jump around your living room like a *kitten* to some DVD. The only reason I go to a gym is because I enjoy weight training...that aside, I primarily ride my bike and walk the dog for my "exercise". I also do some hiking when time allows and enjoy a good round of golf here and there...swimming is nice in the summer.

walkinthedogs

I workout because I like it, always have and I've always been active, also because I like it. Not everything I do is in the gym, but some of it is because that's the only place I can go to lift weights or swim or cycle with a group etc. You should pick things you love to do, that make you feel fantastic when you're done. So Yes I exercise because I want to, not because I have to.

kikityme

Thanks for your replies. I just need to get in my head that exercise is just movement. I've got it in there that it's annoying and filled with jumping leotards. Which is funny, cause I grew up on every sports team imaginable, and that was never "exercise" it was just fun and competitive.

TheStephil

I don't have to exercise but I choose to. I love lifting heavy. It makes me feel good about myself. It took me almost a year of trying different exercise methods to find something that I enjoyed. I did workout DvDs at home, treadmills, biking, yoga, running outside, bodyweight exercises, HIIT, weight machines, etc. until I found something that I really liked and would stick with. For me that was heavy lifting but that isn't for everyone.

Try different types of exercise until you find something that you like.

cuinboston2014

Sometimes I hate that I have to schedule my workouts in. Sometimes I hate that I feel I don't have enough time that I will run over lunch if I lifted in the morning so I can get everything in. Sometimes I hate that even after I lift in the morning, and run at lunch, i feel like I should do more so I do pilates or walk at night. Sometimes I hate that my friends don't work out so they automatically have more free time than I do and I already have a busier schedule.

HOWEVER, if I don't work out I am crabby, irritable, and very VERY unpleasant to be around. I love the feeling it gives me while I'm done. I love the way it makes my body feel overall. I love the confidence it gives me. I love being able to push myself to the next level.

I also love that when I work out that time is dedicated solely to me. Not anybody else. It is, without a doubt, my sanity.

I will never stop working out unless I'm physcially unable

PrairieRunner2015

Nobody in this world truly has to do anything except for eat, drink, and breath to live and eventually die. That's all which is required. Everything else is a choice. I don't have to go to the gym, nor run (Which I find enjoyable) but I choose to do so. My options are:

1: Not work out, continue to gain weight and become unrecognizable to myself in a mirror, become type 2 diabetic (Like many in my family), suffer the long term consequences of being type 2 diabetic (Loss of sight, loss of feeling in extremities, possible loss of limbs, liver and kidney failure, increased risk of heart disease, increased risk of stroke.) and knowing I am placing an undue burden on my loved ones because I made poor choices.). That doesn't sound too great to me, but it's the easy way to do things, until things go bad (I've seen this first hand too many times now.).

2: I can work out, loose weight, be happy with my self image, be more confident, be more energetic, be more able to help those who need help, have a greater chance of living a longer, healthier, and more fulfilled life...... I will still die as in the above example, but it most likely won't be a long, protracted over several years, painful and sometimes humiliating event. In doing this, I do know I have to give up some time with family, as well as foregoing eating everything I want at all times. I don't have to give anything up in regards to food, only how much of it I do eat. I'll happily give this up in order to not go through the misery I have seen loved ones go through by deciding not to go to the gym and other poor life choices.

eganita

Thanks for your replies. I just need to get in my head that exercise is just movement. I've got it in there that it's annoying and filled with jumping leotards. Which is funny, cause I grew up on every sports team imaginable, and that was never "exercise" it was just fun and competitive.

Are there any adult sports leagues in your area? We have one that offers a wide variety of sports from kickball to basketball to dek hockey (my sport of choice) Anyway, that may be something to look into.

jlapey

I would. Not because I like it but because I don't JUST want to lose the weight. I want to LOOK and FEEL and BE healthy and fit. That is what exercise does for a person.

Apple31415

I'm conditioned in the "no pain-no gain" ethos. So yeah, I go to the gym to put my time in and feel like i'm progressing toward fitness AND weightloss goals. Here are my three top reasons for going and making it a priority to go to the gym (cardio and lifting):
1. It is the time of day that is all about ME. I even enjoy the drive to the gym.
2. I enjoy being around other fitness minded people (yeah! MFP fills this too)
3. I like the feeling of accomplishment i get as i'm leaving the gym when i've hit my workout goals and filing it under "done". Then i get on with the rest of my day/evening. I don't know that i'd be as disciplined without physically going some place to work.

chele1028

I sure would! I love how I feel after putting in a good workout, whether it be at the gym or jogging outside, etc.
It relieves stress, and gives me energy. Three years ago I hated to exercise, now, I love it and would not ever want to give it up.

kbmnurse

Yes, I would or I would have to go to a shrink! LOL

Alidecker

5 years ago I would have said "no, I wouldn't exercise if I didn't have to"
Now it has become habit, I miss it when I don't go. Several reasons....stress relief, I feel better when I leave the gym, I sleep better when I exercise consistantely, I have more energy all the time, I love the feeling of hitting a personal best on some sort of lift...I overall, a happier, healthier person when I exercise regularly. That being said, I don't do everything in the gym, I walk outside, ride a bike outside, go swimming, take different classes. I have even tried a trapeez class.

JoRocka

Thanks for your replies. I just need to get in my head that exercise is just movement. I've got it in there that it's annoying and filled with jumping leotards. Which is funny, cause I grew up on every sports team imaginable, and that was never "exercise" it was just fun and competitive.

so you're looking as an exercise as just "exercise"

'oh well I got my workout in today so I guess that's that'

I'm training- I'm training to be fabulous. I'm training to dance- I'm training to lift.

Even if I'm not competing- I'm still training- I'm training to be better at my life. It's just a resolved "oh well I need to go do this- just to do it"

if you have a hobby that you like- perhaps you can think more in terms of "I'm training so I can be better at X in my hobby"

my worker works out- he works out because he is a competitive kayaker- the only reason he does it is so he can be better at kayaking.

perhaps changing your perception of WHY you are doing it will help you be more consistent with it.

rlw911

For the first time in my life, I can honestly say "yes!". I started lifting back in October and found out I love it!

I truly hope you can find an activity you love doing.

bwogilvie

Of course! I run and cycle because they are fun and make me feel great.

I don't particularly enjoy strength training. But I don't particularly enjoy brushing and flossing my teeth, either. I do all three because I like the results.

kk_140

Idont have to work out and I hate doing it. So I don't. No one has to exercise. I walk and take the stairs, but I don't go to the gym to get in my fitness.

Chezzie84

Personally I hate going to the gym.
My gym is right outside my front door. I live in the countryside so I go walking, I love it. Every day there is something different to see and I don't sed it as exercise.

bcattoes

So, if you didn't have to go? Would you? And can you tell me seriously why? I know for me it's mental and I will most likely eventually have to do it as the carb cutting won't be enough and I'm trying to mentally prepare myself.

I haven't read any replies so perhaps this has been covered, but I'm not sure I understand the questions.

No one has to go to the gym, ever. No one has to exercise to lose weight (not counting preferences and lack of willpower). But exercise is very important for everyone's health and especially for a diabetic. In fact, studies have shown that some diabetics who begin exercising can reduce symptoms of diabetes even if they lose no weight at all.

If you don't like the gym, exercise somewhere else. At home, outside, wherever.

AmyRhubarb

I would still exercise because i love the way it makes me feel - flexible, strong and awesome!

I've not been to a gym in over 20 years. I do all my exercise at home in my living room and run outside near my home.

SavinnaMarie

if by "you didn't have to" you mean I could still get fit without exercising, I wouldn't but I would still take a walk or even a jog when I feel like it cause it's really unwinding. but otherwise, i would continue working out

moeggep

Got to weigh in here. You do not have to go to the gym but everyone needs to exercise. Find something you enjoy doing. Everyone should do some type of weight training as we lose muscle and bone density as we age. We also lose flexibility and balance. Some more than others but we all do. As a diabetic exercise could help you to reduce or eliminate medicine and that's got to be a plus. Find cardio you enjoy and add strength training as a habit that needs doing, like checking your sugar, eating properly etc.
Best of luck.

BigT555

You don't have to go to a Gym to exercise. if you hate it in all likelihood you wont keep at it long term. Maybe search out an exercise that you can do that you may enjoy that doesn't involve a gym.

this. its not sustainable if you dont enjoy it, especially if your goal is to lose weight like most here exercise isnt even a neccessity.
i personally love lifting, feels great and gives me a chance to show how far ive come since i started this journey

Hondo_Man

I saw this topic this morning and have spent the day thinking over it. I never have considered not exercising, so I found myself really thinking hard on this all day.

I'd have to begin by defining what exercise is to me. It's not simply going to a gym to do cardio or lift weights for a set length of time. I am not even sure if I ever use the word exercise. In German we might use the word Bewegung (which means to move also) or Trainieren (to train). For me, this is my life. I lift weights every other day and have since around 1986. But I am in the mountains hiking, snowboarding, riding my bike, taking very long walks. So all this is exercise, to me. Giving that up or not doing it would be like not breathing. I wouldn't consider to not move my body somehow. But it's more than that. I truly enjoy lifting weights and climbing into the mountains and riding my bike for hours.

The times that I've been sick or injured, I would count the days when I could get back outside and do something or get back into the gym. I had an extremely bad leg injury in 2001 and have a long nail inside my femur. After I was released from hospital, I was immediately in the gym using machines. I couldn't carry dumbbells or plates, but machines were fine. I'd hop from one to another. I was so happy that I could continue.

Wouldn't have to, is not something I consider.

Again, nice topic concept. Made me do some nice thinking.

IIIIISerenityNowIIIII

I love taking walks, horseback riding when possible, and dancing, so I would do those things regardless. I don't find most other forms of exercise enjoyable. Being inside of a gym is about the last place I want to be.

fireytiger

I would, because as much as it sucks to get started, and the whole time you're thinking "ugh i'm so tired, is it almost over?" at the end, you feel this sense of accomplishment, and your body just feels BETTER. The more you do it, the more you feel good all the time, and after awhile, when you DON'T do it, it feels alien, your body aches and you just feel more run down and cranky. Overall, it's worth it. Also, I concur with the others who say, exercise /= gym. I do taekwondo 3 days a week and love it, it's a full body workout and i'm pouring sweat afterwards, but man do I feel good when it's all said and done! I am one of those who frequents the gym, but again, I don't do treadmills because I loathe the things! I do weight lifting, I do walking/running on the indoor track, I go swimming, I play volleyball because they have open courts on Fridays. Find something you LIKE to do and do THAT a couple times a week to start, and then it won't feel like exercising.