Exercise advice to the exercise hater.

PZlady

I hate exercise, I guess that's why I'm overweight by a lot. Only cutting calories doesn't seem to be working for me. So...I'm looking for exercises for the exercise phobe --I'm looking particularly to reduce my upper arms and tummy. But I need overall reduction. My knees work but need to be babied sometimes. What suggestions to you have to help me??

TluvK

I hate exercise, I guess that's why I'm overweight by a lot. Only cutting calories doesn't seem to be working for me. So...I'm looking for exercises for the exercise phobe --I'm looking particularly to reduce my upper arms and tummy. But I need overall reduction. My knees work but need to be babied sometimes. What suggestions to you have to help me??

I guess I'd like to know what you hate about exercise specifically...the moving part? Because I think you need to start with some good old fashioned cardio,

surfrgrl1

i would suggest looking into Jane Fonda's new DVD called Fit and Strong. She has had hip and knee replacement, so she doesn't take you too far. I hadn't exercised in a long time other than walking and I found this to be a great beginner DVD for overall muscle use. 20 minutes, including her stretches. Nothing done on the floor, uses a chair to help with balance for some of exercises etc.

Mariposa187

i know the feeling and i have a bad knee. I started out walking and very leisurely at that just to get in the groove and then pushed myself to go faster and faster. I can interchange between jogging and walking now but try to be light on your feet or else your knees will hurt.

You could also trying just trying to move more throughout the day. i scrubbed my carpet to workout my arms one day

Do you like dancing? you could take a dance class or dance around in the house?

There are soooo many things! find something that is fun for you and requires constant movement.

chevy88grl

Walking.

It is easy on the joints and you can lose weight if you do it regularly and push yourself as it gets easier.

Also, swimming. It's another one that is easy on the joints but is definitely effective.

cheeksv

Toughen up lol If you are looking for the arms and stuff you are gonna have to do toning and maybe some weight training. walking and light jogging will help with cardio or if you can go to the gym elliptical are good for your knees.There are also a bunch of things you can do besides like swimming, getting into a physical activity for the day like hiking. Something that you wont really see to be exercise. Other than that....if you want good results or even faster results you are just gonna have to get to it.

eeeekie

Frame of mind change...

Start with walking even if it's a little bit. See sweat differently, take pictures of yourself all sweaty and view the sweat as "melted fat" lol...that helped me. Now I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE sweat...I used to hate sweating.

You just gotta do it...you'll notice a difference

cronus404

if you can get to a pool swimming is a great low impact way to exercise. Its great for people with joint problems (like knees that need to be babied). Even if you dont do it a lot, the resistance provided by the water is a great way to burn calories.

Tereztaylor07

Walking is a great entryway to exercise and usually one of the cheapest. Try to walk 20-30 minutes most days if the week and build up from there. I bought an elliptical, and it's also great cardio. You still have to do some toning exercises, but if you are just starting out, just getting moving is the key.

bonjour24

you just need to start something. i agree with the walkers. then when your fitness level improves, you need to find something that you can enjoy. you need to enjoy it or it will be hard to stay motivated.

actually, you don't need to enjoy it- you just need to like the side effects of the chosen activity enough to get off your bum and do it!

cantjustcant

Yoga. It tones and increases flexibility. Plus it gives a sense of peace and calm

MissMaryMac33

You can't really "spot target" where you're going to lose weight...

I personally love zumba -- its the only thing that doesn't feel like exercise so I do it 5-7x week.

If your gym has the new precor amt machines -- they are amazing on the knees -- no impact.
They are adaptive motion trainers and work your arms too -- i burn about 100 calories every 10 mins

RebeccaLeinen

I agree with walking first...if you are looking for a workout DVD i recommend the biggest loser ones! they are really good and low impact

Tiffanydepiano

I have a lot of fun with a beginning belly dance dvd and beginning yoga. The belly dancing even provides a little bit of cardio once you really get moving. I have no cartilage in my knees and I can do this for about half an hour.

kandrews24

Swimming, water aerobics, yoga, eventually walking (you can walk inside a mall in bad weather). Try to move more. Don't think of it as exercise. Try going to the same class. Become a regular. Make friends. Then it is more tolerable. Good luck. Been there.

sunkisses

A motto I live by: No one said you had to like it.
(This applies to anything you do that you don't feel like doing.)

Honestly, start small. I started by walking for 20 minutes M-F and stuck to my reduced calorie diet. I lost the pound a week as "they' said I would.

My motivation increased in time. I felt like I could do more. So I started doing more. I walked longer, then I would jog in spurts. Then I'd jog in longer spurts from this point to that tree up ahead. Then I'd go for minutes, more minutes, etc. You get it... I still can't say I "like" jogging, but what it does for me I do like. It makes me feel productive, strong, and determined. It helped get me through one of the worst experiences of my life.

Find something to like about it if you need that, but exercise is that friend who will look you in the eye and tell you the truth even when you don't want to hear it.

PZlady

Okay, the question about WHY deserved an honest answer so I thought about it and I know this sounds crazy but I don't like heavy breathing and I do like sitting (computers, crafts, reading, watching TV). Also, I'm not athletic so my body doesn't move with grace and flow. I know these sound shallow but if I know what's at the root, maybe I can overcome it and even come to like exercising. (I don't mind dancing on a crowded dance floor b/c no one's watching me look awkward and I can stop in the middle if my knee starts hurting.) Thank you for making me analyze it!! // I'm going for a walk right now!

Iamfit4life

Okay, the question about WHY deserved an honest answer so I thought about it and I know this sounds crazy but I don't like heavy breathing and I do like sitting (computers, crafts, reading, watching TV). Also, I'm not athletic so my body doesn't move with grace and flow. I know these sound shallow but if I know what's at the root, maybe I can overcome it and even come to like exercising. (I don't mind dancing on a crowded dance floor b/c no one's watching me look awkward and I can stop in the middle if my knee starts hurting.) Thank you for making me analyze it!! // I'm going for a walk right now!

I used to have the exact same issues. And you know... I was always told to work out. Never listened. Hated it. I'm lanky and awkward. I am the least graceful and athletic person in the world.

But I gained the weight and I had to get it off.

Today, I spent 2.5 hour at the gym. It's my place. it's where I go that I let go of all the crap weighing me down.
Start slow, with walking maybe some free weights at home. Yoga DVD's are also a good suggestion.
When you feel a little more comfortable join a gym and ENJOY this new part of your life!!

Jade_Butterfly

Frame of mind change...

Start with walking even if it's a little bit. See sweat differently, take pictures of yourself all sweaty and view the sweat as "melted fat" lol...that helped me. Now I LOOOOOOOOOOOVE sweat...I used to hate sweating.

You just gotta do it...you'll notice a difference

Love this. . so so true. . . to the op. . .walking outside or a treadmill. . . I also have powerwalk from the biggest loser which cost like 10 bucks at Wally world where you only do a mile at time. . . you are at the end before you even know it. . I also love the 10 min exercise dvds from Walmart. . I have a lot of different ones. dance, yoga, etc. . . . Good luck to you!~

Lisa_222

This is what I do. I think I hate it because I get bored so quickly. I never like walking because scenery is scenery. How many times is it interesting? Repetitive stuff kill me. But I joined audible, got an iphone (you can get an ipod too) and now I listen to books. I recently listened to a whole book on the human brain. Fascinating! I don't allow myself to listen unless I'm doing something active so it's my reward. I walk with it, do the elliptical with it my exercise cycle with it,, even do exercise tapes that I know well with the sound off and my book on. It really makes the time fly. Start with walking. I started by taking my dog park where she could run while I walked briskly. I'm still just beginning, but i'm feeling much better about it.

livnlite

I hate exercise, I guess that's why I'm overweight by a lot. Only cutting calories doesn't seem to be working for me. So...I'm looking for exercises for the exercise phobe --I'm looking particularly to reduce my upper arms and tummy. But I need overall reduction. My knees work but need to be babied sometimes. What suggestions to you have to help me??

If you hate traditional exercise, then here's a suggestion ... Instead of thinking of it as 'exercise' .. trying thinking of it as 'play'.

Join a team like badminton, baseball, volleyball or some other sport of your choice, walk your dog (or even someone else's dog) daily, ,or something constructive like gardening, building, painting .. etc etc. All of those activities burn calories and build muscle tone...AND offer you a bonus of getting stuff done.

You don't want to work around your own home, then donate your time to help out someone who CAN't do their own. An elderly neighbour or relative or friend. Donate your time to your local pet shelter. There are always tasks and work to be done .. and you will be doing something that you can REALLY be proud of.

There's a kabillion ways to exercise. It doesn't always have to be about gym equipment. Make it fun .. and you won't even know you are 'exercising', and you will make some good friends in the processes. It's a WIN WIN!

Just a tip .. Baby steps! Don't take anything monumental on as your first task. If you overdo it, you will soon give up and become discouraged. Baby steps! Take a little a time, and before you know it .. You have super powers! .. on many levels!

Good Luck!

ninerbuff

I hate exercise, I guess that's why I'm overweight by a lot. Only cutting calories doesn't seem to be working for me. So...I'm looking for exercises for the exercise phobe --I'm looking particularly to reduce my upper arms and tummy. But I need overall reduction. My knees work but need to be babied sometimes. What suggestions to you have to help me??

Here's mine: You gotta HATE being overweight more than you HATE exercise. When that happens you will be open to any type of exercise.
Start slow. Maybe just brisk walking at first. Then you can progressively add exercise as it becomes more habitual.

candylw

I hate it too but like everyone pretty much has said start with walking...i slowly started getting more and more into that and now I am gonna start with zumba on Monday... you can do but go at your own pace

rosebarnalice

** Also, I'm not athletic so my body doesn't move with grace and flow. I know these sound shallow but if I know what's at the root, maybe I can overcome it and even come to like exercising. (I don't mind dancing on a crowded dance floor b/c no one's watching me look awkward and I can stop in the middle if my knee starts hurting.) Thank you for making me analyze it!! // I'm going for a walk right now!

Good for you! Stop whining, analyzing, and procrastinating, and just MOVE IT! Every little bit helps!

I sweat like a damned race horse and I HATE to sweat, I hate to be hot and sticky; I don't like taking showers at public gyms; I don't like the way I look in shorts, bathing suits, or other exercise clothes; and my face turns so red that I look like I'm gonna have a heart attack. But when I'm on the treadmill or walking around the block or in the pool I figure that (a) *I* never see myself in those awful looking exercise clothes; and and (b) if somebody else doesn't like what they see, that's THEIR problem not mine!

And even though I DON'T LIKE IT, I always feel better about myself when I'm done!

keriseebusyasabee

walk, that's what I do. I've lost 9 lbs in 5 weeks. It's sounds so silly but, It works. I know You probably are saying you don't have time but, you do. Just walk for 15 minutes twice a day and then increase it to 30 minutes. I know you can do it! i did and I'm:happy: the biggest couch potato there is. You will succeed!!!!!!!!

livnlite

I hate it too but like everyone pretty much has said start with walking...i slowly started getting more and more into that and now I am gonna start with zumba on Monday... you can do but go at your own pace

Hey, I started Zumba last week .. and I absolutely love it! It is sooo much fun, and a great workout. I have a bad knee and that doesn't bother me as much as regular aerobic classes do. There wasn't a person in that class that wasn't laughing or smiling .. VERY positive energy and is great for all ages and levels of fitness.