How long did it take before you actually ENJOYED exercise?

Begood03

I don't like exercise, but I like the results!

suehirschberg

It is said that is takes 66 days to form a new habit....so hang in there and keep on pushing yourself to go. I have to.
The excuses I come up with not to go are pathetic, but I silence that little voice and go to the gym. Once there I am
so happy I did. Yoga helps me to go as well, have your tried it? It takes one month for you to see results from exercise
and in three months everyone starts to notice and that is a very good feeling which does change the mind about
exercise

callipygianchronicle

I have always hated exercise in the past. I saw it as a punishment or torture I had to endure in order to lose weight.

But this time, I’ve put myself in a different frame of mind, and it’s working. I simply approach exercise as a means to see what my body is capable of. What can I do today, that I couldn’t do yesterday? And three months in, that approach is working. It is also helping that I choose to do classes/activities that feel good. I tried bootcamp and it made me feel like the fat kid in gym class, so I don’t do it. Yoga makes me feel centered and capable, I do that. Zumba makes me like I’ve spent an hour on the dance floor, it’s a yes. The treadmill makes me feel trapped and bored, it’s a no.

Having a gym membership, in my case, helps. Because I am spending money I can’t really afford to spend. And for me, that means I am determined to get my money’s worth by going 5 to 6 days a week. For others, this would be an additional pressure. So you have to know what works for you. I also work freelance (not that I’ve had work in months) and care for my 3-year-old all day. So gym time is the only time I get to be completely alone in my own thoughts without meeting someone else’s needs.

amjmomma

I have never been sporty at all throughout my life. I took up running about two years ago because my brother invited me to do a race with him. It was a 5K and I was so scared! I trained and trained, and I hated the training part!! But, then I did the race and everything changed. I crossed the finish line and I burst into tears. My husband was there waiting for me and he just hugged me and told me how proud of me he was. There's something about a race. Since then, I have done about seven more races, one of which was a half marathon last year. I actually ran the whole thing. Granted, it was a pretty slow run--the whole race took me two and a half hours. But, it was the best feeling I have ever had to cross that finish line--at least the best that I have created for myself, aside from kids being born, wedding, etc. I felt like I had truly accomplished something great. Ever since that first race, I have really, truly enjoyed running. There are days where I think I just don't have it in me, but once I get out there, I love it. I get time to myself, which I rarely get. I get to listen to my music and be alone with my thoughts, sort through them. It helps clear my head, especially if it's outside. The treadmill can't compare. If you have a nice iPod, I would definitely suggest getting the Nike iFit. It tracks your miles and time and how many calories you burn, so when you are outside, you get the same effect as being on a treadmill. It tells you how fast each mile is too. Anyway, there's my sermon, do with it what you will!

Mimishadows

I didn't like exercise until i bought myself a bike. I go every other day and ride my bike on the trail by my house.

MacMadame

Right away. But I picked things I liked to do and I worked my way up gradually. I think a lot of people start out too fast and too hard and pick things that are supposed to be good for you instead of things they like to do.

Also, I don't think of it as exercise. I think of it as playing or a hobby. As in: my hobby is cycling (or swimming, running, etc.).

Kallisti

After a year and a half of being sedentary, it took 5 weeks and 2 days. I know that's pretty specific, but that's what I wrote in my exercise journal.

pelleld

I have always hated exercise in the past. I saw it as a punishment or torture I had to endure in order to lose weight.

But this time, I’ve put myself in a different frame of mind, and it’s working. I simply approach exercise as a means to see what my body is capable of. What can I do today, that I couldn’t do yesterday? And three months in, that approach is working. It is also helping that I choose to do classes/activities that feel good. I tried bootcamp and it made me feel like the fat kid in gym class, so I don’t do it. Yoga makes me feel centered and capable, I do that. Zumba makes me like I’ve spent an hour on the dance floor, it’s a yes. The treadmill makes me feel trapped and bored, it’s a no.

I love the way you think! I go to Curves 5 days per week, which I love. Other than that I've never really cared for structured exercise. I've been doing 2 DVDs (started in january) and just bought 3 more. I am going to try to approach it like you're doing and see if a different frame of mind helps. Thanks so much for posting this!

MuseumMonkey

I've turned it into a procrastination tool--since I gave up video games for Lent, except Wii Fit, lol. I have classes 3 days a week right now, and whether it's in the morning on the days I'm not going anywhere or after school in the evenings, I tell myself that as soon as I'm done working out I have to do homework. THAT makes half an hour on the elliptical or treadmill look sooo much more appealing--and it's much easier to convince myself that I'm not actually tired yet and I can throw in a Billy Blanks video, Wii Fit, and some light weights to boot!

While I'm using my cardio machines is also pretty much the only time I let myself watch TV or movies.

suzooz

I have never been sporty at all throughout my life. I took up running about two years ago because my brother invited me to do a race with him. It was a 5K and I was so scared! I trained and trained, and I hated the training part!! But, then I did the race and everything changed. I crossed the finish line and I burst into tears. My husband was there waiting for me and he just hugged me and told me how proud of me he was. There's something about a race. Since then, I have done about seven more races, one of which was a half marathon last year. I actually ran the whole thing. Granted, it was a pretty slow run--the whole race took me two and a half hours. But, it was the best feeling I have ever had to cross that finish line--at least the best that I have created for myself, aside from kids being born, wedding, etc. I felt like I had truly accomplished something great. Ever since that first race, I have really, truly enjoyed running. There are days where I think I just don't have it in me, but once I get out there, I love it. I get time to myself, which I rarely get. I get to listen to my music and be alone with my thoughts, sort through them. It helps clear my head, especially if it's outside. The treadmill can't compare. If you have a nice iPod, I would definitely suggest getting the Nike iFit. It tracks your miles and time and how many calories you burn, so when you are outside, you get the same effect as being on a treadmill. It tells you how fast each mile is too. Anyway, there's my sermon, do with it what you will!

Thanks for the tip on the Nike iFit. One of the reasons that I like the Wii Fit I Run is that I can see my progress -- I tried to watch TV while running, but found that I had to watch my Mii build the miles step by step. It's a beautiful day today so I may try running outside with the Nike iFit. Thanks again!

fteale

Running - about 4 months
Aerobics - 3 lessons. The first two were hell and I couldn't walk the next day, but after that I loved it.

I have been exercising hard for about 8 months (before that I walked a lot, and occasionally went on a rowing machine), with a month gap when I had pneumonia in Nov/Dec, and I feel irritable if I have a day off now.

partcho

I'm just hoping I'm going to see results from all the walking I've been doing lately because I too hate intense exercise and walking is one of the only things I can somehow just push myself to do (been walking 3-5 miles daily). If I don't see/feel some results in another week's time I will face the facts and add something a little more intense because these pounds have got to go!

Good luck to you!

mamagooskie

I still after 14 months don't LOVE exercize. I don't look forward to doing it really, I look forward to getting over with for the day. There are some workouts I like (plyometrics and my treadmill and dancing/zumba) but I'd still much rather do nothing, yet 6 days a week I faithfully workout 1-2 hours.

In the summer I do like outdoor running

Kaye8395BTS

It's been about 16 months for me and I still have to convince myself to get started. Though when I don't workout I do miss the endorphins and immediately notice a difference in my mood. I always have to tell myself "nobody regrets a workout after it's done"

ashleynicoleb

I love all the endorphins that come with a good workout. I never had a problem with working out

catsquirrelgirl

Hi for me its been a bit stop start, but I found out I liked running outdoors in less than 10 weeks. Mainly because I started a 10 week plan I found on the internet, a run/walk plan, where you increase the time running, but still have regular walking breaks, till, gulp you are doing 30 minutes without stopping. Unbelieveable I thought - so I gave it a go and long story short I ran my first half marathon last year (very slowly, but hey there was more of me to carry round those 21ks). I am currently in training to do another half marathon in 6 weeks time. Ok I slacked off a bit late 2010 and got distracted, but after a few months of regular running the old body is doing that getting better and fitter thing. So I think the trick is find what makes you feel alive, be it running, dancing, swimming whatever and then recognise what changes your body goes through and how it responds to you pushing it, cause its gonna be getting better and you can feel good about the payoff. Then just throw in some tricks or cheats to get you from couch to whereever it is you do your thing. For instance, I find getting out hard, but once I'm off running up some road I enjoy it. So I 'cheat' and run home from work or into work, using my commuting time for me. Or I arrange to go out with a mate running, so I know I'll go out and we go to parks or lakes/canals so we can get a bit of scenery in with our run. I also like my gadgets, my phone tracks my mileage and I love my heart rate monitor, cause I can what my heart is up to and how quick it recovers - but that's just me, I think its cool to see whats happening. Now I aint no racing snake, but when I hit my stride, music in my ears, wind keeping me cool, I feel strong and alive. And now the trees are getting leaves and it is lighter, it is just good to have me time, moving through the world as it wakes up. Anyway, hope you find the thing that interests you, challenges you and charges you and then (once you've started!) its more like playing out than working out.

Bootzey

still waiting

karylee44

Find some kind of exersize you like.. I enjoy walking.. i like the quiet. gives me time to thing. i started walking around downtown where it is flat... but now do hills.. (and try to avoid bears). I also found Zumba. I just love to dance, so this was a great fit for me. treadmill.. i still find boring. not hot on weights either. but i find that now (been about 6 months) i HAVE to exercise or a feel horrible.

good luck to you and like i said.. try to find something you like to do.

Heather75

I never disliked it. As everyone said, though, I have preferences. I hate running, for example. I only run if something scary is chasing me.

I love the elliptical, hot yoga, strength training, recumbent bike and dancing. Try to focus on the results. I can feel my muscles getting stronger and more defined and that drives me to continue.

michelletyler38

I still don't love it! I do love the feeling after a really good run when I can push myself to do a good run but exercise in general is still kinda blah to me. I used to & still love going for runs in my parents neighborhood but I only get to go up there about once every 2 months! I wish I lived in a nice neighborhood with trees & stuff I could workout around & enjoy everyday!! I find working out outside to be much much more enjoyable than at a stuffy gym