do u NEED to work out??

bear_nakey

I'm a full time college student and I'm so busy with homework and studying and clinicals and working I really don't have time to work out. I'm also kinda like you and really don't know what to do once I get to the gym. I have no idea. I get to the gym once a week because it is on campus and I have an hour and a half break between classes so I go for an hour and just go on the treadmill at different inclines at 3.8 mph and that's it! I wish I could work out more but I don't have time or know what to do.

Solution: ask questions. I know at my gym there are people everywhere willing to answer questions about machines. Maybe schedule a one time only personal trainer session to give you an idea of what an effective work out should consist of.

I scheduled a free training session when I signed up, warned the trainer that I cannot work out hard, and he kicked my *kitten*.. I was crawling up the stairs when I got home.. I refuse to work out like that.. its not practical for me right now. I need to start off slow. I'm also afraid of gaining the 4 pounds I lost last week back in muscle weight

argh. . . sounds like the wrong match for you and now you have a bad taste in your mouth Let your gym admins know about it, a lot of times they will give you another freebie with a different one! Don't let one trainer who didn't listen ruin it for ya!

CallmeSbo

Yes you can lose weight without exercise. Personally, i would never be successful. I love the benefits of working out. Not only does it help me become a healthier me, it help curb my appetite, allows me to eat more and still lose.

svanhoecke

I'm a full time college student and I'm so busy with homework and studying and clinicals and working I really don't have time to work out. I'm also kinda like you and really don't know what to do once I get to the gym. I have no idea. I get to the gym once a week because it is on campus and I have an hour and a half break between classes so I go for an hour and just go on the treadmill at different inclines at 3.8 mph and that's it! I wish I could work out more but I don't have time or know what to do.

Solution: ask questions. I know at my gym there are people everywhere willing to answer questions about machines. Maybe schedule a one time only personal trainer session to give you an idea of what an effective work out should consist of.

I scheduled a free training session when I signed up, warned the trainer that I cannot work out hard, and he kicked my *kitten*.. I was crawling up the stairs when I got home.. I refuse to work out like that.. its not practical for me right now. I need to start off slow. I'm also afraid of gaining the 4 pounds I lost last week back in muscle weight

Unless you plan on lifting heavy and eating a ton of protein...you aren't going to gain back 4 pounds in muscle....also why would that be bad? Are you judging your success solely off of the scale? Muscle is healthy and one if the keys to keeping weight off.

Look, if you don't want to work out, then don't....but I promise you if you stuck with your trainer for more than one session you would gain strength and it would become easier.


I don't think you will ever find a time where it convenient to work out. It certaintly isn't for me. You just have to decide to either make it part of your life or not.

SmashleeWpg

I scheduled a free training session when I signed up, warned the trainer that I cannot work out hard, and he kicked my *kitten*.. I was crawling up the stairs when I got home.. I refuse to work out like that.. its not practical for me right now. I need to start off slow. I'm also afraid of gaining the 4 pounds I lost last week back in muscle weight

For sure you have to do something that's manageable for you! That's the key! However - I wouldn't be afraid about gaining the 4 pounds back in muscle weight ... it takes a long time to build muscle, it's not an instantaneous thing, and we as women are limited as to how much weight we can put on (in terms of muscle), so it's not as though you're going to bulk up or become heavy from building muscle and lifting weights. On the contrary; muscle is more compact that fat, so you'll be reshaping your figure into a lean, mean, fat-burning machine! Furthermore - focus on inches lost, how your clothes fit, and how you FEEL, rather than just a number on a scale

Natx83

I just get so tired at the gym.. I have no energy after work (cant go before) and I never know what to even do once I'm there.. I don't know how to.properly work out

Classes are there for that exact reason.

You can make excuses, or you can make progress.

I agree with this one and dont think this is negative as some people may have pointed out. Im a technician, for an audio visual/staging company... the stuff I lift is I'd dare say a bit heavier than a toddler. I also hate working out as part of my personality... I am also lucky enough to have a best friend that lives about 400m away that has heaps of experience and a gym in his garage... once you have someone show you and do the right things and techniques it makes things much easier..

I have fortnights where I will crack in excess of over 110 hours easily.. Im still going to find the time to do my workouts. If I can do it.. you can too! I used to be full of excusses... Its a frame of mind not a frame of body...

Dammitviv

I just get so tired at the gym.. I have no energy after work (cant go before) and I never know what to even do once I'm there.. I don't know how to.properly work out

Try starting simpler, I go for walks during my lunch break. It's not much, but I feel better afterwards; and it makes the second half of the work day go faster

Klem4

I'll be the beeyotch here, and say it, you are making excuses. I know, because I've made them for several years. I have young kids, I am a sahm mom, my husband travels all week, so yes, I know what its like to be so exhausted you think you can't do anything else that day.
But you just get up and do it. You don't have to start out all hardcore, start with walking or elliptical machine is low impact but still good workout. Then in a week or two when your body gets used to the 'extra' work, you can start getting involved in a class or personal trainer, whatever else. If you really want to change, then you just have to try harder. No one changes their lifestyle over night. that's ridiculous. its a process and takes hard work.
Working out actually makes me feel better, it makes me feel like im doing more and actually does give me more energy if I do it consistently, because you get stronger and fitter.

kimclaws

gym does no have to be your only exercise , find something you enjoy that gets you motivated, for me it is pole dancing, but for others it may be boxing, running, walking the dogs, yoga or even any type of dancing. Once you start knowing you way around the gym it will become more comfortable, i feel deterred when i join a new gym because i don't know where all the equipment is but once i learn everything i am just fine. So do some research, find something fun! exercise should be an outlet for stress, it is for me. the connect games or the wii fit can be enough, but no matter what you do, unless it is only cardio you will gain muscle, which might make you weight go up. but really would you rather weigh less or look and feel better? good luck.

SergeantSunshine_reused

It does sound like excuses to me.

I get up at 6 am every day and go to class until 5 pm most nights. This includes 3 labs each week that are 3 hours long. Taking a ton of classes, getting good grades, and I still workout and study. I am exhausted after 10 hours on campus but still make it to the gym to lift or get in some cardio depending on the day. If you want it bad enough you will do it.

heybales

I should probably mention that I do NOT have A desk job; I'm a toddler teacher and I chase arounsd 9 2-year olds everyday for 8 hours. So I'm not just sitting around all day. Hence why I'm exhausted after work.

Frankly, you have a perfect routine of great daily activity then that will greatly assist. Few studies lately showing the great improvement that comes from non-exercise daily activity, and the problem the workforce has now compared to years ago, is the rather sedentary jobs. Not having that constant movement 5-6 hrs each day.

You may want to hit the weights once a weekend when recovered from work.

Otherwise, run the BMR calc on MFP under tools, manually set your daily net calorie goal to about 50 above that figure, don't worry about weight loss goal entered in profile or what MFP estimates as weight loss.

All of your substantial daily non-exercise activity is your deficit, and that is probably easily 1000 calories / day.

If you throw in some weights, log that under Cardio workouts, strength training, and eat half the estimated calories back.

Sounds like your biggest challenge will be what kinds of foods to be sustaining to all that activity.

coraliethomas

Is a personal choice... I work out because I dont want to just loose weight, I really want to look AWESOME... and in my 2.5 months of working out and eating better, perhaps I havent lost as much weight because Ive built muscle, but I know Im leaning out and toning up... and look better!! Which is the ultimate goal right?

However only you can decide whats better for you.. I like how my body is starting to feel and look, and I LOVE when my husband goes to tickle me and he remarks how strong my abs feel now!

Good luck reaching your goals though! Its wonderful that youve started down the right path.

annissa19

I hate working out however it is the lack of exercise and eating incorrectly which got in the boat I'm in right now. I think the first thing you should do is see your doctor to make sure there is nothing medically wrong (lack of energy could be a sign of something else). Once you are cleared you should try to find some sort of physical activity that is conducive to your lifestyle and liking. I like to walk but after working 9-10 hours a day I was too exhausted after work to do anything physical. You just have to find what works for you and start off slow maybe on the weekends and slowly increase to 4 days a week or more. Don't beat yourself up about it. You will get there.Good luck!!!!

BaconMD

You can lose weight with just portion control. You can also lose weight with just working out. I am proof of the latter - I lost well over 40lbs before I started using MyFitnessPal - it was all exercise, and all at home. The healthier eating just came to me gradually, and naturally, as my mind shifted towards wanting to protect my exercise effort investment... I worked hard, and didn't want to undo it all by making stupid choices.

If you have the room at home, spend your monthly gym membership on some gear you can use at home. You don't need tons of space; I have not set foot in a gym yet, and do not plan to. I have slowly amassed a collection of exercise stuff in my basement, including a treadmill, elliptical, stationary bike, weight bench, two different punching bags, etc. I don't like the idea of the gym, nor did I enjoy PE class in high school. But these days, I started off on my journey with two dumbbells and a cement floor...

You don't need to go to a gym, but I'd say it's best to not skip on working out entirely. Just do what you can, when you can, where you can.

almc170

I guess when I think of working out, I think of the gym.. would wii boxing or tennis be ok?? I have the danceling games too... that way, I can do it alone, in the comfort of my own home

Absolutely. Start with where you're comfortable, and work on incorporating exercise into your daily routine. Then work to keep challenging yourself.

LivyJo

Going to the gym is intimidating for someone who doesn't know their way around. And I agree...i get in these ruts where i don't work out, and thinking about working out after an exhausting day at work is just the last thing i ever would want to do. When i get in those ruts, i have to dig my way out, and sometimes it takes weeks of thinking about going back to the gym before i actually do it.

Now that I have been going for a few months, its all i want to do after work! I look forward to it, and have so much more energy. I used to be so tired after work, all i would want to do is come home, lie on the couch and rest. Now, i work out, come home, make dinner, do some cleaning, etc. Its not just straight to the couch.

Now, i do know my way around a weight room, i've been in the gym since high school. However, i just recently discovered the classes, and they are addicting. Zumba is my vice now...I never would have thought I would love a fitness class!

Anyways, you are not alone. Yes you can lose weight without working out, but working out, at least for me, makes it all much more enjoyable and rewarding. Good luck to you!

palmerig88

After 7 workouts in 12 days I posted a side pic go to my profile yellow shirt vs white...same diet for 5 weeks but 7 workouts made a bigger difference in my opinion. I'm just starting though

Lrizz2012

I lost weight too just by cutting down how much i ate before and i wasnt exactly exercising but i was walking around my college campus which is pretty big haha. But now that im home thats just not enough for me. Im too scared i would get a gym membership and waste it so ive made up a plan: I have a wii and i have Zumba and The Michael Jackson Experience. Zumba is a great workout and so im going to do that for the next couple of weeks and see how that helps me out. You should try zumba, its crazy but fun. I also have a bike that im gonna ride around my neighborhood. Its like i read above somewhere you dont have to go to the gym you can workout at home but i guess if you are targeting a specific area then a gym is better. I think its cool that your gonna wait to start bringing in exercising. You will see a bigger difference good luck

HonkyTonks

Honestly, I HATE working out.. I pay $25 a month for a gym membership that I don't even use.. ive lost weight by just eating better before, and I plan to get back to the gym eventually, but I feel like tackling two things at once will cause undue stress and set me up for failure. Is it OK to wait a bit before getting into an exercise routine and to get used to rating better first? Please don't be mean

You don't have to work out to lose weight. I personally disagree that your program needs to BEGIN with both diet and exercise. You can work on the diet part first, and then incorporate the exercise. Physical activity is very important for long term health - however, if you do not enjoy going to the gym look at some alternatives (off the top of my head):

- sports, adding in some light competition can make it more fun
- dancing
- hiking or bush walking
- boxing

taunto

I workout because I love to eat (My own cooked meals atleast) and 1700 calories aint cutting it for me. So I workout and make it around 2500 and now we're talking. I'm a food addict and I'm making working out my fix!

IvoryParchment

After dealing with two year olds all day, then dealing with getting their parents to pick them up on time, part of the problem could be that you just need time alone, with no one bugging you. They gym might work out for you if you've got headphones on and no one knows you, so you can work out in your own little bubble. You can see videos on Youtube to learn how to work the machines, so you can just go in, use them, and go home, and skip the personal trainer stuff.

Lrizz2012

I was just talking about that. I have Zumba for the wii cause im too self conscious to go to the gym and its a great workout i havent played in awhile so im excited to get started and watch the weight drop off

Elizabeth_C34

A change in attitude from "I hate working out" to "I really want to learn how to workout and find something I like" will take you a long way in this situation...

tulip07

I think you are doing very well already!! I have heard from so many people that 90% contribution to weight loss is from eating right. If I were you (and I have been where you are and probably still am :-) ) I would concentrate on eating right at the moment, if that is what you can handle.

Once you start getting a grip on eating right (eating clean food - lean protein, more veggies & fruit, healthy fats, whole grains and staying under calories), you will start realizing that you have more energy than before which will make you naturally add exercise. I would say if you find exercising boring, you can consider adding a 15 minute walk most days of the week (and absolutely wii counts!!). Before you know it, the walk or exercise will become a habit and it won't be so boring or hard to do anymore.

Eventually you will get to what the others are all talking about. But what you are considering doing is just great :-) Way to go!! and kudos to you for handling that many toddlers! If you don't have enough energy at the end of the day, make sure you check your diary again and make sure you are indeed eating enough and eating clean food and cutting out sugars etc :-)

SoozeE512

I can understand how you feel since I also do not feel comfortable in a gym and instead workout in my own home. I don't even feel comfortable on a treadmill so I just do dancing at home and jogging in place in front of the TV - and it's been helping me! And the great part is, it only takes me a few minutes to start working up a sweat.

If you have a Wii dancing game like Zumba that will get you to work up a sweat, it's definitely worth it. If you feel like you don't have a lot of energy, tell yourself you'll just play for 5-10 minutes every night for a week. Then the next week, trying boosting it up to 15 minutes, then 20 minutes, etc. until you get to at least 30 minutes. Or break it up and do 15 minutes one hour and 15 minutes a couple of hours later.

Set small goals to start so that when you achieve the 5-10 minutes the first night, you are able to say, "I can handle that every night". As you get into a routine like that, you'll become more accustomed to it and will be able to push yourself to do more as you go. But start with small goals so you meet those goals, feel proud of yourself, and feel confident that you can make those goals a routine.

Another suggestion is to try a beginner's yoga class. It's a great de-stressor and will help give you some peace after a hectic day with little kids. I'm not sure if it's good for burning calories or if it's just good for strengthening muscles you never knew you had, but sometimes stress can cause people to retain more weight - so if stress is an issue, yoga could help.

dvisser1

I guess when I think of working out, I think of the gym.. would wii boxing or tennis be ok?? I have the danceling games too... that way, I can do it alone, in the comfort of my own home

Wii boxing, tennis, any of the Wii fit "games" and definitely the dancing games will all burn calories. Exercise doesn't have to be the gym. Dancing, walking, whatever gets your heart rate up will work.

If you do feel like trying the gym again, see if you've got a friend who can join you. Not being alone in the gym might make it less intimidating. As for being tired, once you get into a consistent exercise routine you will see your energy level increase after a couple weeks.

As far as a trainer goes, sounds like the one you got was not very good. If you do ever try hiring a trainer again, don't be afraid to make them listen to you. If they don't listen, kick them to the curb and get another. You pay that person to help you get in shape. Part of that job is to help you push yourself, but they can't force you to push to far.

bobbinalong

I've asked myself that question and I look at it as I am in this for a long time. This is not a quick fix and I want to be able to do what I need to do for the rest of my life. Realistically would I go to a gym, no. Would I do a 30 day whatever workout, maybe but not likely. It is exhausting I don't want something that sucks me down.. Would I walk, yes, would I ride a bike, yes, would I swing in a swing, yes. Find what works for you so that you feel good about getting that extra movement. It doesn't matter what everybody else is doing, you are doing this for yourself. :flowerforyou:

woou

I've lost weight without really working out before myself. Then lost some weight with added cardio. Personally, I feel and like the way I look better, when I lose weight by eating less, cardio and weight training. I really don't like exercising, but I think of the trade-offs.

BarbWhite09

Most of the way through my weight loss journey I've done it with no exercise. Right now I'm focusing more on exercise just because I'm close to my "goal" weight. I absolutely hate everything about exercise...It's just boring...I do workout DVDs (30DS, 6W6P) at home because I'm terrified to go to a gym. But anyway, it IS possible to lose weight without exercise, anyone who says you can't is incorrect. If you have a calorie deficit weight will come off.

BaconMD

I should add - if you want to work out at home, and since you have a Wii (also available for Xbox 360, or PS3 like I used), then I have to recommend you go and buy EA Sports Active 2.0 (the Wii has several others in the series, but I have only used EASA2). I basically used ONLY that until I got a treadmill, and now I feel comfortable enough to work out on my own, but I still do EASA2 sometimes because it's good. And no gym!

LoveAngie23

I hate working out at the gym. You need to find something you enjoy. I just started belly dancing and i've always enjoyed yoga because it is relaxing. I know a lot of people love Zumba and it looks fun. I don't think you HAVE to work out because you obviously aren't sedentary. 2 yr olds are a handful, but honestly, working out will make you feel better mentally and physically. And you will be proud of yourself for it. Just find something you enjoy!

Your gym probably offers several different types of classes, but if you prefer to do it alone there are a lot of videos on youtube you could try to see what you like doing.