i hate excercise

metulburr

I have been trying to lose weght. Minimized food intake, healthier food intake, etc for the past week. However every time i try to lose weight, the pink elephant in the room is always excercise. I cant stand it. I delay doing it. I dread it when i do it. I would almost rather starve myself a little more to decrease a few hundred calories than excercise to burn the same calories.

I tried making a plan to at a bare minimum excercise once a week for an hour. (i know i should be doing it 4-5 days a week). ITs just everyone says that is not enough to lose weight. For example i excercised yesterday morning...went for a walk. I felt tired and exhausted after it, and at that point was when i came to terms to do it only once a week since i hated it. Today i am debating about going again. I dont really want to, but i know i need to do it like 4-5 week to help lose weight.

I would think that over time i would come to like it. But a year ago i lost 20 pounds in a month. The entire month i maintianed my food intake, and excercise daily. Just to see what would happen. I could of sworn at the end of the month the excercise would of became a habit or something. But at the end the month...i hated excercise just as much as when i first started. Ive always hated excercise. Im the only person that failed gym in high school, lol. (seriosuly...i refused to run around the mile track). I think at the end of the month i gave up, because i just hated excercise...i dont know.

My basic usual excercise is walking, and walking outside away from my house. If i walk around the block, or walk on a treadmill... i tend to jsut stop when i want to. When i walk directly away from my house, it forces me to walk back (even though i dont want to).

I always start out slow, like since this is the first time excercising in a year or so, i only walked a couple miles. I know if i keep walking the it will gradually increase.

I know if i continue to hate excercise that i will just eventually stop. I dont know how to make it fun? Is it possible to lose weight just by maintianing foods and not excercise?

olive_26

I used to hate exercise. Really hate it. If I could avoid walking anywhere then I would. I used to force myself to go running in the morning but every time winter came around I just stopped going. Eventually I realised there were other ways to exercise and started trying them out. Zumba was not for me, nor were so many other things. I just kept going until I found things that were fun and then it didn't feel like exercise. It's not always easy to start exercising, and if you don't like what you do you will just stop. It shouldn't be this horrible chore that you force yourself to do, it should be something to look forward to and become another part of your everyday life.

It is possible to lose weight without doing exercise, you just eat less. But I don't think that's the best way to live. Our bodies need to move about. My advice would be to find different things, the internet is full of ideas. Eventually you'll find something you love.

Ryderod

Whilst being an integral part of weight loss mainly in part to the calories burnt, it is not 100% necessary to exercise. Provided you are disciplined with your diet and maintain a slight calorie deficiency you will slowly lose weight. But you will more than likely be losing muscle mass as well as fat.
Unfortunately exercise has heaps of positives and benefits for your overall general health which you will be missing out on.
Cardio will help with overall fitness, conditioning and toning, as well as get your heart in shape.
Strength training will help tremendously with maintaining, and even increasing your lean muscle mass, which also helps with weight loss or maintenance due to a resultant higher active metabolism.
Also, physique wise anyone with some muscle tone will look better than a similar person that does not exercise.
If you cannot see yourself getting to a gym or into a structured exercise routine, maybe look at getting a nintendo wii or X Box Kinect with a sports pack and have yourself a bit of active fun, which will be better than doing nothing. It might even change your current view point as you get more into it!

GreenIceFloes

Losing weight is only about caloric deficit - if you eat at a reasonable deficit and not work out, you'll still lose weight. And in MFP you are supposed to eat back your exercise calories, don't forget that.
That being said, exercise is important for your overall health, so I suggest you don't give it up. If simple cardio isn't your thing then try lifting. I find it more fun. Or try HIIT, maybe one of Jillian Michaels' 20-30 minute daily workouts, or the like - you won't get bored because they are short and intense.
It is also possible you aren't eating enough and hence feel so drained after exercise.
It is very important to keep your body active, like it or not.

missomgitsica

You will lose weight just from eating at a deficit. Exercise isn't strictly necessary. I personally enjoy working out because I'm seeing my body tone up, but if you truly can't, then don't.

manicautumn

I walk and hike. I make a point to do an extra lap of the mall or get off the bus a stop or two early or park further away. I've started venturing out to do beginner trails on weekends with friends. It's social and I almost forget I'm exercising.

Exercise doesn't have to be running. It can be walking, biking, or anything else that gets you moving. I know a girl who lost 60 pounds from rollerblading around her housing complex as part of a lifestyle change.

SkimFlatWhite68

Is it possible to lose weight just by maintianing foods and not excercise?

It is possible to lose weight by eating at a deficit from your TDEE without exercise.

Eating at maintenance will maintain your weight.

However, to change your body composition you would have to do some exercise and lift weights to give yourself a nice physique. Otherwise the danger is that you will just be a smaller version of your fat self.

As for making it fun. Find something you like doing and do that. Anything that gets your butt off the lounge and out being active, whether that is playing golf, bowling, tennis, archery, rowing boats, walking in the mountains or on the beach, get a dog and play frisbee... find something that you enjoy and someone to do it with and you are half way there.

Good luck!

AwesomeGuy37

I've lost somewhere around 73 pounds and I don't exercise. I'm sure I will when I've gotten the motivation, but right now I'm doing fine on watching my protein and calories. Baby steps. Don't take on everything too sudden and burn yourself out. You may have other issues to work on long before you get moving.

alicekelli

what part of it do you "hate".. find a physical activity that you might enjoy... even simply walking will work wonders if you stick to it. it is wonderful for your mental and emotional health. exercise will get you stronger. give you more energy... boost metabolism... give you a better body... let you eat more food!!! what is not to love?

RHachicho

It's not 100% necessary to exercise to lose weight. But I am afraid it IS 100% necessary to exercise to look good and be healthy. I'm sorry guys but if you only diet you will lose lean mass and get more saggy skin if you have a lot to lose. I understand your frustration though. When you are very unfit getting through a workout can be a chore but perhaps my experience will help you out.

I was exactly the same as you. I hated exercise I begrudged every minute I had to spend doing it. I had tried the whole diet/exercise thing so many times and had convinced myself that losing weight was simply beyond me. However a few months ago I decided to really go all in. And bought myself some caffeine pills and researched how to the most effective workout possible. The caffeine pills really really help. You will absolutely be able to exercise longer. Here are some rules.

1. Don't over exert yourself. If after you finish a workout you feel dead tired and can't do a single other thing you have overdone it. Don't listen to people who tell you anything about a minimum workout. In the beginning it's really not about the amount of calories your burn it's about getting your body used to moving again. If you must simply start with a 20 minute workout every day and add 5-10 minutes to that every three or four days. You would be astonished how quickly you get used to it. After you get to the 60 minute mark start to work in a few rest days.

2. Make sure you warm up and cool down effectively. A warm up for you consists of 5-10 minutes of physical activity just taxing enough to work up a sweat. Even if this only takes a couple of minutes it is important to break your body in gradually. And equally important to cool down gradually. A cool down is simply a practiced of slowly scaling down your physical activity at the end of a workout. For you at the moment a short stretching routine and a shower are probably sufficient in this regard.

3. Make sure you do cardio after strength training. Apart from the small amount of cardio you might do as a warm up. You don't wanna deplete your muscles of glycogen before your lifting session.

4. Listen to your muscles if you begin to exhaust yourself one day ... stop. That being said don't stop just because you can't be bothered. You need to learn to recognize the difference between boredom and physical exhaustion.

5. Learn to love the good bits about exercise. This may not be apparent at first. But when your body get's used to exercise it comes with many great feelings. Almost everyone who exercises regularly gets the classic endorphin rush after a good workout. And once you get stronger and fitter there is muscle pump and runners high to look forward to. A workout will eventually become a pleasurable experience that you won't want to miss. Even muscle soreness gives me a satisfying feeling that I got a good workout. Within reason.

6. Pay attention to nutrition. Make sure your meal before and after the workout has at least a moderate portion of both carbs and protein. You would be amazed how many people have a bad time with exercise because they don't fuel themselves properly. Carbs are more important before a workout. Protein is more important after it.

7. Getting started is the hardest it's ever going to be. Remember that it will only get easier to stick to it with time.

I sincerely wish you the best of luck. Because I know that people who claim that weight loss is only 20% exercise are wrong. Exercise helps mold your metabolism. It improves the workings of your body and generally keeps the whole process going smoothly. As well as helping you retain or even improve your musculature during weight loss. Exercise, If you can manage to stick with it will make you feel great. It's about far more than just the calories you burn. And being healthy is about far more than just being thin. I can appreciate that now that I've gotten used to exercise I have totally fallen in love with it. To the extent that I usually hover right at the edge of over training. I push my body to the limit not because I have to .. but because I want to. Because I love the improvement in health that it has given me. I literally feel 10 years younger. I'm not trying to show off just to impress on you just how great it is to succeed in this front in the hope that you will too

_Zardoz_

You can't 'hate' everything? That just sounds like a child having a tantrum. yes you can lose weight without exercise but exercise has many benefits. You need to find something you like. Walking, windsurfing extreme ironing. Just think of something and give it a go. If you don't like it you wont do it. Many clubs societies have taster session try them think outside what you normally do you may surprise yourself

You also need to address your attitude to it starting something with the mind set that you are going to hate it means you will fail Give things a chance otherwise your not doing yourself justice

Good luck

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Topsking2010

You can't 'hate' everything? That just sounds like a child having a tantrum. yes you can lose weight without exercise but exercise has many benefits. You need to find something you like. Walking, windsurfing extreme ironing. Just think of something and give it a go. If you don't like it you wont do it. Many clubs societies have taster session try them think outside what you normally do you may surprise yourself

You also need to address your attitude to it starting something with the mind set that you are going to hate it means you will fail Give things a chance otherwise your not doing yourself justice

Good luck

This

Beckilovespizza

I totally understand where u are coming from... I don't like working out in the gym but I force myself to but now try to shake it up a little. If i work out at the gym i reward myself with something nice afterwards. Maybe try doing some classes, they can be fun, try other activities that burn calories that u may not see as exercise, i like riding my bike and loooove skating. I don't see it as a workout as it is super fun. Overtime u will get fitter (and might not even realise) and the working out becomes much less of a chore. Well done for walking lots, may be find some more fun places to walk (i like to walk around the shops, its still burning!) Best of luck to ya!!

Therealobi1

Well I am with you I hate to exercise and perhaps I have not found something I like yet, but difference is I just get cracking. I have just decided to make it part of my have to do's like bathing, eating and working. First thing I do before getting myself and daughter ready for the day is my workout.

Others will say yes you do not need exercise for weight loss which is true, but what about getting more energy, getting stronger, changing the shape of your body for the best. Those are all the reasons why I just get on with it. Good luck you can do it.

P.s You tube has loads of things, find something fun. perhaps a dance type workout.

MeanderingMammal

went for a walk. I felt tired and exhausted after it

So you've demonstrated to yourelf that you're unfit.

, and at that point was when i came to terms to do it only once a week since i hated it.

So rather than going out more frequently and improving your fitness you'd rather limit yourself to once a week, which means you'll continue to hate it because you're not making any improvement from it.

Today i am debating about going again. I dont really want to, but i know i need to do it like 4-5 week to help lose weight.
....

I always start out slow, like since this is the first time excercising in a year or so, i only walked a couple miles. I know if i keep walking the it will gradually increase.

I started running about 13 months ago, first run I couldn't run for a kilometre, and covered 3.5km using a run walk system. didn't enjoy it much and at the time it was a means to an end On Sunday I was in a 10Km trail race and completed it mid way down the pack with a time well inside my target

What I've found is that for short runs of up to 10K I dont mind where I am, but for more than that road running gets a bit dull so I'd rather do my longer runs on trails.

While walking is very simple to do, it may be that you'll prefer something else. I think the basic point here is that exercise will not be fun until you improve your fitness. You should reach the stage where at least you don't hate it.

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msbeeblebrox

Hating exercise is a very general statement. It's difficult to imagine that you hate all exercise. Maybe you should branch out and try some new things, and eventually you might find something you don't hate. Or you'll find benefits of exercise that will outweigh the negative effects you feel.

april979

Find a physical activity that doesnt seem like formal e xcercise. Maybe go out dancing. Maybe go play a game of football with the kids, go out do some yard work, paint the shed by doing squats each time you dip the brush.I try to fit e xcercise in strange places thru the day like doing squats during washing the dishes or waiting to rinse my hair conditioner. Dance while your putting away the dishes. Just get up and move!

AglaeaC

went for a walk. I felt tired and exhausted after it

So you've demonstrated to yourelf that you're unfit.

, and at that point was when i came to terms to do it only once a week since i hated it.

So rather than going out more frequently and improving your fitness you'd rather limit yourself to once a week, which means you'll continue to hate it because you're not making any improvement from it.

Today i am debating about going again. I dont really want to, but i know i need to do it like 4-5 week to help lose weight.
....

I always start out slow, like since this is the first time excercising in a year or so, i only walked a couple miles. I know if i keep walking the it will gradually increase.

I started running about 13 months ago, first run I couldn't run for a kilometre, and covered 3.5km using a run walk system. didn't enjoy it much and at the time it was a means to an end On Sunday I was in a 10Km trail race and completed it mid way down the pack with a time well inside my target

What I've found is that for short runs of up to 10K I dont mind where I am, but for more than that road running gets a bit dull so I'd rather do my longer runs on trails.

While walking is very simple to do, it may be that you'll prefer something else. I think the basic point here is that exercise will not be fun until you improve your fitness. You should reach the stage where at least you don't hate it.

This. And the child's tantrum portion.

I hated exercise under forced and highly blargh conditions in school, but all the time I was unfit and apart from a few exercise thingies such as a beginner tennis course or handball with the classmates my main focus was academics and classical music (instruments etc.). Once I started at the uni, I realised I had to do something about my body and so I took some dance classes. Love. I don't dance at the moment for various reasons, but I am doing couch-to-5K and am researching weight lifting and yoga. For the first time in my life I'm taking the "blame" for not having enjoyed sports more; I simply wasn't in good enough shape. I have a hard time believing you "hate" all forms of exercise when you're at your goal weight, because then you just do it, go out and explore new things. It's a lifestyle change and not supposed to be easy nor is it supposed to happen over night. All the tickers with huge numbers lost have spent hours on that process and if you want it, you'll find a way to both accept the situation for what it is as well as do it.

Dayhiker

I hear you! The pros have given you some good advice and I will chime in with only a simple suggestion of doing something to keep you moving for just 10 minutes a day. And if that's too much start with 5 minutes. A slow but determined start will help you "check it off your list" and you can gradually build up as your mind and body accept that you CAN do it. Best wishes!!

snowflake954

I looked at your profile and saw that you are male. My question is: do you like music? If the answer is yes, try walking with music--headphones, or sign up for a dance class with your wife. Many people forget that they are exercising when music is involved. Don't worry if you're not coordinated--that will come with time and patience. Remember that dance--mentioned by a few others--is a great idea for coordination and ballance, and these are important as you get older (look at it as an investment in your future). If none of these ideas appeal to you, it will be harder to lose and tone up, but not impossible. I wish you the best.

KseRz

You can't 'hate' everything? That just sounds like a child having a tantrum. yes you can lose weight without exercise but exercise has many benefits. You need to find something you like. Walking, windsurfing extreme ironing. Just think of something and give it a go. If you don't like it you wont do it. Many clubs societies have taster session try them think outside what you normally do you may surprise yourself

You also need to address your attitude to it starting something with the mind set that you are going to hate it means you will fail Give things a chance otherwise your not doing yourself justice

Good luck

This

The opposite of that and this (well at least the tantrum part). Whatever you need to vent and get it out of your system. Hating everything is fine. It really is, but sitting there complaining about and not trying to figure out a solution to it, is not.

I agree with the other posters that maybe you need to change your mindset about what exercise is. Find some activities that you enjoy doing where you are moving and elevating your heart rate. It doesnt have to be biking, running, or swimming. It can be gardening or landscaping. If anyone has ever built a garden as a weekend project they know theres a lot of sweat that goes into that kind of project. Anywhoo....start small.....start there. Who knows, after awhile you may develop a thirst for more of a challenging activity such as weight lifting or tabata training......

But start small.

levitateme

I never "hated" exercise, but I definitely didn't like it before. I was doing cardio, usually 30 minutes at a time.

I lift now, and love it. I actually crave it. Can't miss my gym days.

Try something different. Walking is boring.

AglaeaC

I hope I didn't come across as too blunt earlier, but either you find a way to incorporate exercise in your lifestyle change or not. I'm thinking I want to be able to travel in various ways (large cities, trekking, you name it) in the future and think it's worth it to pay the price. The only way people deal with these huge projects is to focus not too much on the future, but take a day or a week at the most and tackle those. If you tell yourself you "have to" try something new only once, maybe that will make things easier? You'll know when you find the thing that clicks.

sfbaumgarten

As others have said, you don't need exercise to lose weight. If you absolutely can't find something you like to do, you're left with two choices... Exercise anyway or don't. It's really just a matter of personal preference and goals.

sherambler

I'm reminded of an excerpt from Mindy Kaling's book. She hates exercise too and so whenever she exercises, in order to pass the time and make it fun, she lets her imagination run wild, totally just loses herself in her head. She dreams up revenge fantasies and spy fantasies, but I realized after reading that I do this too. I'm a creative type so it might be more natural for me to do this than other people.

Other suggestions:
Maybe you just hate walking, maybe it's too boring. Maybe do it with a friend. you can find walking groups on meetup.com.
Search YouTube and try different at home workouts
Try a zumba (or other) class in the area. Some will let you try just one class for a reduced rate and then pay the rest if you like it.

And other than that, unfortunately, some people never grow to like exercise, but they still have to do it. If you only have a pesky 25 pounds or less to lose, you could do it without exercise but it will take longer. Any more than that and you risk saggy skin, a jelly-like belly, and persistent cellulite. One of my friends HATES exercising, but she told me that she simply says to herself that it's mandatory, just like how she hates going to the grocery store or working her late night at work. It's just something she does and when she just accepts (accepts does not mean like, by the way) that it becomes an annoying part of life rather than a dreaded activity. I don't know if this helps.

MagdaSea

You can't 'hate' everything? That just sounds like a child having a tantrum. yes you can lose weight without exercise but exercise has many benefits. You need to find something you like. Walking, windsurfing extreme ironing. Just think of something and give it a go.

Agreed with everyone else on this. I'm trying to post a neutral comment but seriously, SUCK IT UP. You either force yourself to do it and are content to be in shape or you don't. You can be thin if you just maintain your diet. But if you want to be in shape, you will have to exercise.

Not everyone likes it. I guarantee there are people on here that are very fit and highly dislike it. I hate running. I was never a runner, ever and would give up after just 30 seconds on the treadmill. Today I run for 20 minutes at 7.7mph. And guess what? I still hate it. In fact, I am pretty sure I hate it even more now. The trick? Stop thinking about it. I don't think about it at work or on the way to the gym or as I'm changing. I just get on the treadmill and start running.

That or try what others are suggesting and find a physical activity that you will have enough fun doing that you won't realize you're exercising.

feliscatus84

I admit I can hate exercise too. Couple things that I've done to combat this is to find exercise that can burn a lot of calories in a short amount of time with decent benefits. I do kettle bell 15-20 mins and I find myself really enjoying it while getting a decent workout out of it. Also doing high intensity type workouts where you push yourself to the max. I do high intensity on the elliptical for 10 mins. The key here is to push yourself to your absolute limit. That means rev up the resistance and move your *kitten*. I do this because I absolutely hate feeling like a mouse on a damn machine for an hour going at a moderate pace. This may not work for everyone but I have seen more results by doing this. You should also try to find activities you enjoy like maybe swimming or rollerblading. If you get bored just switch it up. Try YouTube for workouts as well. There's so many sources and things to get moving.

tremroy1

My excersise consists of taking the dog for a walk at a brisk pace at least twice a day......biking which I enjoy for at least 30 minutes....and if I am up to it 30 minutes on the treadmill walking at 5 mph in front of the television watching my favorite program. You have to find something you like to do with effort. Some people love jogging, for some reason, I cant get into it. My doctor jogs 3 to 4 time per week (10K) but she doesnt really like it at first but once started gets easier. Also excersise videos can help as you are not alone but are given some motivation. Some activity or excersise is important. GOOD LUCK

hospitablegirl

I feel like many people have covered on the basics, so my advice is this: try different types of exercise. You may find something that you really enjoy.

Personally, I like running more than any other exercise I've tried. I've done aerobics, yoga, and kickboxing. Quite frankly, I hated kickboxing more than anything I could ever even imagine hating. Once you find something you enjoy doing, it won't be nearly as much a push to get yourself to do it. Until then, I would steer you towards exercising, even if you hate it. It's healthier for you anyways.