Exercise Anxiety?

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Replies

  • xxthoroughbred
    xxthoroughbred Posts: 346 Member
    During the workout, I hate every minute. I keep telling myself I can't do this and I want to stop.

    Note, this has not once stopped me from working out, but I feel all the negativity is going to hurt me in the long run. I haven't yet found any exercise that I really enjoy doing, so I'm sure that is part of the problem.

    Wow, welcome to exercise! Get used to it. This is how real life is. Not everyone loves exercise. You're not entitled to a fit body. Are you serious? Grow up and change your attitude. This would make your life a hell of a lot easier. Wow.

    :wink: :flowerforyou:

    Sorry, but I don't agree with this. Exercise SHOULD be challenging, but not something you dread when you think of it.... Everyone could find a form of exercise they like that they can make challenging with the addition of more resistance/weights etc.... and not dread. Why force yourself to do something you HATE? The rebellious teenager in you would refuse to workout after a while altogether, and you'd develop a very unhealthy attitude towards health/exercise! IMO...

    Just a little payback for some *kitten* I got earlier. Those are her words so she'll agree with them if she's not a hypocrite.:smile:
  • rjsehm5
    rjsehm5 Posts: 39 Member
    Exercising in the morning works for me best....less excuses to get out of it.

    Also, I reward myself when I work out. For example, I love the sauna so if I complete my workout, my treat is the sauna afterwards. If I am at home and do a DVD, I tell myself if I can complete all week and give it 100% I will get a pedicure. Be creative and reward yourself...it can be with something that doesn't cost you a thing like maybe visiting someone special or just even window shopping for ideas for xmas or when you reach a goal.

    But most important you do need to do something you enjoy so it becomes something you can maybe not look forward to but at least not dread. Good luck!
  • jgm379
    jgm379 Posts: 97 Member
    I feel the same way alot. My every waking minute is so busy and I dont want to spend my only extra time working out. I always feel great afterward, but sometimes the motivation I lack. I do something different every day so I wont get bored, but I think being pressed for time makes me lose motivation.
  • Pandasarecool
    Pandasarecool Posts: 508 Member
    I ve the same problem so bad that all day before I do my exercise, I cannot concentrate on anything at all except the fact that I am dreading exercise...
  • agataarchangel
    agataarchangel Posts: 292 Member
    During the workout, I hate every minute. I keep telling myself I can't do this and I want to stop.

    Note, this has not once stopped me from working out, but I feel all the negativity is going to hurt me in the long run. I haven't yet found any exercise that I really enjoy doing, so I'm sure that is part of the problem.

    Wow, welcome to exercise! Get used to it. This is how real life is. Not everyone loves exercise. You're not entitled to a fit body. Are you serious? Grow up and change your attitude. This would make your life a hell of a lot easier. Wow.

    :wink: :flowerforyou:

    Sorry, but I don't agree with this. Exercise SHOULD be challenging, but not something you dread when you think of it.... Everyone could find a form of exercise they like that they can make challenging with the addition of more resistance/weights etc.... and not dread. Why force yourself to do something you HATE? The rebellious teenager in you would refuse to workout after a while altogether, and you'd develop a very unhealthy attitude towards health/exercise! IMO...

    Just a little payback for some *kitten* I got earlier. Those are her words so she'll agree with them if she's not a hypocrite.:smile:

    Lol. I see. I shall stay outta this one ;-).
  • 2012asv
    2012asv Posts: 702 Member
    Yes I used to feel this way in the beginning when I would force myself to do workouts I didn't enjoy. Have you tried other forms of exercise? Like zumba, dancing, sports, etc? I got sick of Jillian's video after 3 weeks.
  • TheeGeeMarie
    TheeGeeMarie Posts: 59 Member
    hmm try some of these tips:

    -working out with a friend
    -doing classes you like (zumba or some type of dance, water aerobics, pilates, and my fave is yoga)
    -bring a book or magazine to the gym to read while on the machines. Don't let yourself read it at home, only treat yourself to it while working out
    -work out to music and keep the selection fresh
    -meet people at the gym so you look forward to seeing them (probably not gonna happen if you're shy. My friend thinks its so weird I've been going 2 months and know so many people and she might know 3 people by name including employees and She has been a member 10+ years. I can't help that I'm a chatterbox :-P
    -try every machine, every sport, every exercise you can think of until you find something you enjoy. Seriously, there must be something active you enjoy. People even do pole-dancing for exercise nowadays. There's gotta be something to strike your fancy!

    Otherwise just keep up the good work sticking to it even if you hate every single second.

    The third tip on this list has really worked for me in the past when I go through stages of really not wanting to work out. Instead of a book or magazine though, I've downloaded audiobooks to my iPod. When I find a really good, suspenseful book, I will be itching to go work out just so I can find out what happens next. I also find myself working out for much longer than I would otherwise. The trick of course is to not let yourself listen to it unless you're working out.
  • hiker359
    hiker359 Posts: 577 Member
    Work out in the morning...get it done and over with so you don't stress about it all day. All that anxiety isn't good for you.
  • Ge0rgiana
    Ge0rgiana Posts: 1,649 Member
    You obviously don't like your workout. Do something else.

    I found myself dreading my workouts (WHICH I LOVE), and realized it wasn't the workouts at all. It was the damn gym. I hated the people who took it over and ran it into the ground. Now I have a gym I do like. Problem solved.

    ETA: I hate the Shred. I hate circuit training. I ADORE weight-lifting. I'm a bit of a proselytizer. Ok, I'm a MAJOR proselytizer. Not only is it transforming my body, I get an endorphin rush from it that I'm sure is about like the endorphin rush I'm supposed to experience running but have never had. I'm usually happy and giggling and proud of myself and looking forward to my hot shower when I'm done.
  • edzigler
    edzigler Posts: 18 Member
    I enjoy working out with the Wii Fit ... you can change it up daily to keep it interesting.. I also try to walk & ride daily !
  • tlaker
    tlaker Posts: 82 Member
    i was just like you until i discovered zumba...and i ALWAYS look forward to that. so you just have to find something you like that keeps you moving :) i do the 30 day shred and cant stand Jillian talking so i just put Pitbull Pandora on blast and drown her out!! I'm getting a little bored with it but i'm liking the results so i'm sticking with it!! you can do it!
  • LilEmm
    LilEmm Posts: 240
    If it works in your schedule, try a bootcamp. Groupon.com & LivingSocial.com ALWAYS have discount coupons for them here that run like $35/unlimited month. There are usually morning & evening classes you can mix and match up. Here, there are 5-6 really good bootcamps that get you in shape - it's basically group training w/ a personal trainer. It takes all the guesswork out of it, it's social & something different. :)
  • dareacceptor
    dareacceptor Posts: 58 Member
    I hate videos - they always made me dread working out.

    I don't care for machines. They make me dread working out.

    I decided to sign up for a non-military style boot camp, where there is a trainer and about 10 people in the class. LOVE it. I don't always look forward to working out, but I've stopped dreading it! And I've made some new friends that are happy to buddy up on days off to run/walk or do other cardion work.

    So my advice? See if it's the video or the workout you're actually dreading. Try a trainer for a period of time, they'll give you some ideas of different things to do for a workout. The group session in particular works for me (because of the cost savings and the motivation I get from working out with other people).
  • cmacphee3
    cmacphee3 Posts: 278 Member
    During the workout, I hate every minute. I keep telling myself I can't do this and I want to stop.

    After the workout, I feel great. So happy to be done, but already dreading my NEXT workout.

    While I don't actually dread working out next (anymore, I used to, but now that I'm seeing major fitness improvement I get excited by it), I often hate almost every minute of the actual exercise. I have said "I can't do this" but I always force myself to say "NO! I CAN do this!" each time that happens. I always want to stop, but I just repeat sort of mantras sometimes to get through.

    I tell myself Sweat is fat crying, then I keep saying "CRY FAT, CRY!" over and over. Sometimes I'll say "Small girls run, thin girls run, fit girls run" over and over to keep myself going. Sometimes I will count "1, 2, 3, 4, 1, 2, 3, 4" or something like that because I find time goes faster that way. I also have been watching Boy Meets World (Hello nostalgic guilty pleasure) while running on my treadmill and sometimes I can get absorbed in the show and it helps.

    Lastly, I find it helpful to me (and others will disagree) to count down to the end, or figure out what fraction of exercise I have left. I try not to do this until the halfway point, but then it is like a countdown and because in the last two months I have gone from barely able to jog one minute, to today running 25 min straight, I also feel so thankful for the increase in fitness. The closer you get to the end, the more you know you CAN do it.

    If you can't find something you enjoy while doing, maybe try to find something that works toward a concrete, measurable goal that you workout toward. I find trying to complete the C25k has been a goal that has kept me going and gets me to get on that treadmill even when I really do not want to. You could make it a race, or doing a certain number of laps at a pool, or being the best dancer ever, or lifting a certain amount of weight, doing a certain number of push ups, chin ups, sit ups, completing an obstacle course or fun run.. Anything that makes it feel like the workout is moving toward something more concrete than just health or weight loss in general.

    After I get through this C25k (almost there!) I am going to go back through and improve my speed so 30 min jogging will actually get me through a 5k and then start running outside and get through 5k there. Then I'm going to sign up for a 5k that has a real meaning to me (Run for the Cure, as my mom has Stage IV breast cancer) and KICK *kitten* at it. Hating every moment of the exercise is easier to forget and push through if there is something short/medium term you are working toward.

    You do not have to like exercise. I know people say to find something you like, but sometimes there are people (like me) who only like impractical things like ice skating (no rinks nearby in the summer) or dancing all night at a club (not monetarily feasible). You just need to find a way to do it, in whatever way works for you.
  • cmacphee3
    cmacphee3 Posts: 278 Member
    The third tip on this list has really worked for me in the past when I go through stages of really not wanting to work out. Instead of a book or magazine though, I've downloaded audiobooks to my iPod. When I find a really good, suspenseful book, I will be itching to go work out just so I can find out what happens next. I also find myself working out for much longer than I would otherwise. The trick of course is to not let yourself listen to it unless you're working out.

    That is a GREAT idea. I do that with watching Boy Meets World (only allow myself to watch while working out), but I think a suspenseful book would work even better for me. Thank you!
  • searolex
    searolex Posts: 35
    Don't feel guilty about not exercising!! For exercise to work it has to be enjoyable. I wasted a ton of money on gym membership, hated going and always dropped out. I,ve lost more weight by being careful about how much I eat. I exercise by walking or cycling when I used to use the car.
  • mandiam
    mandiam Posts: 109
    first, get workout clothes that you like. comfortable...that you want to wear. that always helps i'm sure.

    but for me, my exercise is my bike and running. i enjoy them so much--i love being outside and the fact that i am getting exercise is just icing on the cake.

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