Exercise newbie help please!?

Roxytudor

I hate exercise.

I am not exaggerating at all, the thought of doing any kind of fitness class or workout routine fills me with dread.
I am so envious of the people who enjoy exercise and going to the gym or to classes, but I really hate them! But I understand how important it is as part of a healthy lifestyle..

The trouble is, I am very much an all or nothing type of person. So I feel like it would be pointless to just start doing more walking or stretching unless I go the whole nine yards and do as much as possible.

Example: this morning I downloaded the iPhone app "7 minute work out* and I found it hard (as expected) but also just such a drag and so boring. I just hated every minute of it. :laugh:

I have a really active job (on feet a lot, walking, lifting ect) during the weekdays, but when I have leisure time I love to just relax, read, watch a movie or go out to eat/drink. I'm also eating paleo/primal low carb so I'm trying to keep the intensity low - medium, theoretically with some sort of weight bearing activity at some point.

Do any fitness enthusiasts or reformed couch potatoes (like me) have any tips?

Michelle_Padgett13

Two thoughts:

1. You don't have to exercise if you hate it. If you're just trying to lose a few pounds, eating fewer calories than you burn off in a day is all you need to do. Exercise isn't necessarily for weight loss (if you eat more than you burn, you'll gain weight no matter how many miles you're running), exercise is for fitness, to get stronger or faster or have more endurance.

2. If you do want to exercise, find something you love to do and don't worry about it. You don't have to walk or go to a gym or do a routine that you hate. Go swimming. Ride horses. Take a belly dancing class. Sign up for a martial art. Go surfing. It doesn't have to be work. Find something fun to do and do it!

Good luck, whatever you decide. :flowerforyou: