Exercise is so boring.

sarah_jane_1986

I want to exercise and get more fit but i find exercising extremely boring. I prefer exercising alone but i need some ideas on how to make exercising more fun. If anyone has any tips on how to make it more fun i'd really appreciate it.

theginnyray

For starters, what all have you tried?
What exactly do you find boring about it? I mean, are you bored because you want to chat with someone? Because you found the exercise too easy or difficult?

beach_chelle

I like watching a movie/tv while doing it on iPod. Once you're start the endorphins going it becomes easier but you have to break through that wall. Good luck.

sarah_jane_1986

All ive done is walk. Its not that its too easy. I listen to music but walking isnt fun. I want to be able to exercise and have so much fun doing it that i cant wait to do it again.

synthetiquecindy

I like watching a movie/tv while doing it on iPod. Once you're start the endorphins going it becomes easier but you have to break through that wall. Good luck.

Ditto.

I find that after the first 10 minutes of convincing myself to keep going (which is 5 times a week lol), I get that nice rush of endorphins and get through the rest of the workout.

I'm not sure if exercising solo, doing something you don't 100% enjoy will ever make you feel like doing it again but... The results are motivating enough to keep me going.

Stick with it and find something a little more interesting? Maybe new music each time would keep you distracted? (running podcasts are great for that )

mozpic

Hi ya I'm Patricia just read ur post personally,I love exercise have you ,tried playing music n dancing? or trampolinning! Good luck n enjoy

joyfulteach

I like the Wii. :-)

kristina0206

If you belong to a gym, I love going to classes! Spin, Zumba, and yoga are my favorites.

There are awesome workout DVD's that you can do at home. There is also a Zumba game for Wii!

Oh, and make a great playlist on your ipod to make the time go faster when working out!

MamaJasmine

I kick started mine by signing up for belly dancing lessons! It is a blast and I am not the only person in my class that is plus sized.. once I started classes I found that I was dancing around the house all the time and doing training to get my body ready for the next class. I plan on doing yoga next! I personally hate going for walks.. but I might get there by this summer.

TrailRunner61

I love walking and prefer to do it outdoors but with winter I've had to use my treadmill. At first I hated it, then realized I could watch sitcoms, movies, (Netflix) etc. on my laptop with headphones. It drowns out the sound of the treadmill and I only watch shows/movies that I reallyyyy like. This week's fav has been Raising Hope, a comedy series. Time flies and now I'm up to 90 minutes in no time!

cabaray

I catch up on my show from the DVR while I ride my stationary bike. An hour goes pretty quick that way!

cjgsmg

I've done a lot of different kinds of exercise and I don't know that I've ever had so much fun that I couldn't wait to do it again. But, I love the way I feel after I've had a good work out. Have you tried videos? Your local library might have some to check out for free so you can experience a variety. I alternate running and walking on the treadmill and like to watch tv while I walk. Sometimes I also like to listen to a really good audio book. There are some other options.

nichole325

I definitely agree that classes are very challenging and make things a bit more interesting.

Something that I do to really push myself is set goals.

For example, I HATE running...hate it...but I know it will help me be more fit and lose weight. when I first started hitting the gym I ran a mile and I think I did it in like 17 min which is NOT good. SO I set a goal that I wanted to reach which was definitely cut that time down. Now I can run two back to back in about 24 minutes give or take. I am really tired after so I'm just going to keep doing that everyday until I feel like my body is used to it then I will set another mini goal for myself.

Not sure if it will work for you but I love challenging myself.

Also- after my triple fat burner class yesterday I hit the bike and found that Netflix has 12 seasons of the biggest loser! I decided I am going to start watching that while I'm on the bike or treadmill as a little extra push!

Good luck and hang in there!

sreich04

I used to feel the same way, there was nothing more boring to me than running on a treadmill or an elliptical and staring at the time crawl by...

I found that variety in my workouts keep me interested and motivated. I belong to an LA FITNESS and attend a different group fitness class each night of the week like kickbox cardio, zumba, cycling, pilates, and yoga. I know you said you prefer working out alone, but trust me, having other people there somehow pushes you along. Plus they play great music and get you pumped up! In the cardio classes, I wear a HRM and found that I burn 600+ calories per hour!

I also just joined a pole dancing fitness class (no judgments!) which is surprisingly a great workout for your arms and core. Its a blast and you get to learn some sexy moves

If you're bored with walking, maybe you could try bike riding? I find it more fun.

There are also a number of great exercise DVDs and games on Wii or kinect to do at home.

Hope this helps

nailed479

You probably haven't found the right workout that fits you!!! Personally for me I have to have awesome music, I love Turbo Fire, tons of awesome music and Chalene is so motivational!!! Just play around with different ones and find what works for you

Kdaniel903

I love ZUMBA!! it's anything but boring!!

gonzang

Are you sure exercising alone is your preference? I have found that working out with a friend or partner makes the time fly by. If you can take an exercise class, then you should try it out. I used to hate exercising in front of others for fear of looking silly or getting embarrassed. But now I think it can be fun.

Another way not to get bored is to try intervals. Walk a few minutes, jog, then walk, etc. You can work out for a shorter time and the time seems to go by faster too.

Good luck and keep moving!

lr8812

YES! I hit the treadmill for 60 minutes straight. I'm like ugh I can't do this. But I think about how much I've changed, my future goals and how awesome I look NOW! And how much more awesome I will look in the future if I continue!

brandie_kelly

I have discovered that I can be on the elliptical, treadmill, or bike for an hour and not even think about it if I bring my iPad and play either monoply or risk or read wth the kindle app. I dont like to read on my actual kindle because the screen is smaller and harder to focus on but with the iPad I can read several chapters and poof Ive done my hour.

minadee

I used to feel the same. Now I do Zumba dvds and on the Wii. Its fun and it goes fast. I can't believe that I like to exercise now.

JennieAL

Try lifting weights. It's much more fun than a long boring cardio session. And shorten your walks by doing HIIT run/walks for 20 minutes. I do run/walk 1:2 (run 1 min, walk 2).

Nyeesha

You have to switch it up .. Try stuff like zumba .. Line dancing.. hip hop aerobics.. Water aerobics.. Doing the same thing will get boring sometimes

plushkitten

Try pole dancing. Sexy and a hell of a work out ;D

p0stdramatic

I know you said that you prefer exercising alone. I used to be the same way, but I hated exercising. I finally joined a group fitness center. It was the best thing I could have done. I need something else to look forward to besides the exercise. Group fitness is FUN, I look forward to going, and it helps keep me accountable. Now I'm just addicted to exercise, no matter where I do it.

pinkydemon

I talk with the voices in my had whilst walking that is quite fun
But serious: You say you walk but think it is boring, you listen to music during it. Change the music, get something dfferent and try to walk matching the beat, might look stupid but that way you get more distracted.
And walking can be seen easily as "no excercise" - where do you walk outside or on a treadmill. If outside, take different routes, don't think about it as an excercise but an excursion to learn something about the area for example. For example say to yourself okay lets go out today to walk down that street on the left and see if something has changed. Or, lets see if there is already spring stuff like that.

77tes

At first, I joined Curves, and I love it. I have added English Country dancing, Zumba classes, and a boot camp class. The more you do -- the easier it gets. Now, I sometimes have trouble sitting still -- a BIG change for a lifelong couch potato!

Good luck!

growlbaby

I agree with you.. I personally don't find walking to be very fun at all!! I got the Richard Simmons Sweating To The Oldies DVD's and they are fun! I totally feel like a nerd doing it, but what makes it better is my husband does them with me and we don't stop laughing the whole time we are exercising together. I don't know if that helps.. but I do wish you luck!

Take care!

gingerb85

I always considered exercise to be a dirty word. Then I started going to Zumba classes. Oh my! Love my Zumba! I now go five days a week to Zumba classes, sweat my tail off every time, and have a hard time wiping the grin off my face because it is so much fun!

Try different types of exercise to see what is the best fit for you. If you enjoy it, believe me, you will stick with it. Boring exercise usually becomes no exercise. That's my experience!

HonkyTonks

Might consider classes or personal training. Or you might want to up the intensity, and spice it up by mixing high intensity cardio with circuit training (this will mean you burn as many calories as a longer walk, but in far less time)..

eg. this was my exercise for today;

warm up x 5 mins on treadmill, walking fast & working my way up to a jog
30 step ups holding weights (or 30 seconds worth)
30 push ups
30 squats
30 sit ups
30 tricep dips
plank for as long as possible
rest

then do this for another couple of sets

Get back on the treadmill

5 mins warm up
10 mins interval training (1 min jog, 1 min brisk walk for 10 mins)

Worked out to be 35-40 mins worth, burned about 350 calories and wasn't bored at all

WandaVonDunajew

I was also a lonely exerciser, and I got bored fast :grumble: :yawn: . Then, like a lot of people here apparently, I joined group fitness classes for both cardio and toning stuff. I do one cardio and one toning class of each 50 minutes per week day usually, like body sculpt, trike zone, thighs butt and abs toning class, and tae bo, rebound cardio, fat burn, rebound combat for cardio workouts. My gym organizes "parties" every friday evening, where we work out while in costume : pirates of the caribbean zumba and batuka party, army tae bo party, a boot camp party, rebound pajama party, rock n roll cardio slim and fat burn party (both are supercardio classes) and then a ninja strike zone party. How could I not have fun? I tend to burn anything from 300 to 700 calories depending on the workout, it's always fun and the time flies. How else could i spend 100 minutes a day in the gym?

I would therefore advise you to try a group class, maybe pilates at first, so you don't overdo it, or some yogilates (its a combination between yoga and pilates). I dont know whether strike zone is something that is offered where you live (its a rather new program designed in Italy) but at my gym, there's even seniors participating and the intensity can be adapted on each participant, so its excellent for beginners too.

Another workout that I like doing at home, if I dont have time for anything else, are workouts from bodyrock tv (google it). they are short interval workouts (about 20 minutes) but kick *kitten* because they are pretty high intensity. The trainer shows more variations depending on fitness (from really easy to murder :sick: ) and they just fly by because in 20 minutes you have to get in as many reps as possible, so you don't even have time to focus on anything else.

Also, for the pole-dancing class lady.. AWESOME!!!! Its one of the best workouts available. Have you ever seen a tournament? they are absolutely fascinating.

Keep on rockin' everyone! :bigsmile:

mmk137

Sounds like you are yet to find your soulmate workout. Your soulmate workout is something that you love to do, and you feel better knowing you are going to do it, you are doing it , or have just finished it.

Whether or not you have do it or not, write down all the sports you watch (if any), or you would like to try or that interests you.
Then try some of them out. You need to give it a go at least 3 times to decide whether it's a yay or a nay.

I did not write the following, but it will help you to find what you do like or don't like

1. Circle your preference of the characteristics below.
Indoor or outdoor?
Group or solo?
Team or individual?
Dance or athletic?
Competitive or noncompetitive?
Slow and steady or fast and furious?
High-impact, low-impact, or nonimpact?
Music or silence?
Very coordinated, somewhat coordinated, or two left feet?

2. Answer the questions below.
The sport you enjoy the most is:
What were you doing the last time you felt young and alive while exercising?

What types of exercise do you find mundane or torturous?

What kind of music inspires you?
In what kind of environment do you find you work the hardest? Group? Solo? On a team?

What types of activities or sports did you most enjoy in your youth?

Do you work out harder or with greater intensity when in the presence of others?

Is fashion and people watching interesting to you?
Do you need an opportunity to clear your mind and be alone?
Do you meditate?
If you could go back in time and have really mastered a sport or activity, what would that be?

What sport or activity do you enjoy watching on TV?

3. Reread the list of adjectives you’ve transferred to the right-hand column. Now reread your replies to the list of questions above and, together, summarize the type of exercise or activities you might have described. In some instances, you might be inventing your own:
4. You’re going to date your workout now. Don’t worry, this is gonna be fun. Even the worst dates teach you something about yourself. Dating workouts will add zest to your weekly routine and maybe even give you a chuckle. As I always say, “Mistakes burn calories, too!”
List the types of activities you hereby commit to “trying” in the next 7 days.
This is not junior high PE. If you’re not good at something on your first day, no one is going to judge you. No one is good at something on the first try. Lose the ego and learn to enjoy.
When trying something new, everyone feels a little bit like an idiot. No one ever died from embarrassment. But it doesn’t hurt to do a little prep work before your first date.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Make things easier on yourself by calling ahead and finding out what you need to succeed.
What to wear
What to expect
How to best prepare
How much it costs
What kind of equipment you need