My hatred of exercise

binknbaby

Exercise is one of the main things that holds me back in my weight loss. I simply don't enjoy it. At all. It's boring. I am fine being active throughout the day--playing with my kids, taking walks, going on hikes, etc. But to get the really heart-pumping, cardio-and-strength, "traditional" exercising?? Bores the heck out of me. I've been doing the elliptical while I watch TV at night, but I know that's not really "enough", in the long run. It's not getting all the muscle groups and I know it's important to shake it up and "surprise" the body every once in a while. But I honestly cannot spend even 30 minutes doing an exercise video--I get so bored and they take so long to do everything I just want to yell at them. I've done yoga, WiiFit, circuit training, had gym membership, had personal trainer do in-house exercises, aerobics, water aerobics... I just don't enjoy it.

So I guess the question here is, how do I get myself to enjoy it? That adrenaline "runner's high" that everyone talks about never happens with me. Even the "fun" activities are still monotonous for me. I can't afford a gym membership or studio classes of any kind. I'd really enjoy dance classes (I used to be a dancer) but again--can't afford it, and they don't even have them at my community college. Hiking is fun, but with two little ones, I can't exactly go climbing steep mountains, and have to go at a slower pace. So I just feel like either I'm going to be miserable and doing it because I "have to", or I'll have to find something that I can actually enjoy.

Any ideas how to get REAL exercise that would be enjoyable? Or how to "trick" myself into believing it's fun? LOL

murphy612

You sound just like me!! Except for hiking I really don't like, I am no good at, or end up hurting my self at anything :-) But I decided on Weight Training and a Personal Trainer. So I do that 2 days a week and 1 or 2 days of cardio (BORING!!!!). After 10 months I wish I could tell you I love it, but I don't, I am still bored and don't like it, lol.

However! I love the results I've gotten from doing it and that keeps me going. Everyday I come up with 3 or 4 reasons not to work out, but I still go and get it done. The good news is I wasn't able to exercise for almost a week during Christmas and I actually kind of missed it and felt I needed to exercise. I think that's a good start for me and my hatred of exercise.

Sorry I know you were looking for advice and I didn't give any, but thought I'd share anyway

Amandatorie

I can relate. So much of what we think of as "exercise" is just SO boring to me. Doing a cardio machine is pretty much torture to me...and if it doesn't have a TV on it? Just put me out of my misery! And standing around lifting weights, or going through a circuit? Blah. Boring.

So...what makes it fun? For me, if there's a social aspect it's sooooo much better. If I am going to exercise classes at regularly-scheduled times with people that I actually like, and we can talk before/after and even in between sets if it's that type of class, I actually enjoy going. It's basically like a social hour where you just happen to get a workout in.

Also, if I'm both challenged AND good at something, I start to like it. The first few weeks/months of starting a running program are terrible, but once you get into it you might love it. You'll see your speed and distance increase, and feel motivated. I'm talking about running outside, with scenery and fresh air. If you like hiking, I would expect you'd start to like running once you got "good at it".

In terms of the videos, you said you like dance...what about learning some dance routines at home?! I'm sure there must be a ton of dance-related YouTube exercise videos. Maybe you could even invite a friend over to learn them with you.

And what about sports? It can be very cheap to join a local sports league. Heck, a few years ago I played on a dodgeball league! It wasn't exactly a full workout, but you did sweat for an hour each time, and it was anything but boring! I'm currently planning on taking some tennis lessons this summer....if I can get good enough to not need the lessons every time, my gym has tennis courts that you can sign up for a "round robin" of players with.

212ackley

If you really enjoy dancing..why not try Zumba??? Great fun and social - I leave dripping every class and believe me when I say I HATE traditional exercise also...my mile on the treadmill in the morning bores me to death, but I LOOOVE Zumba (and i go 4 days a week). Or if you have a game system try the just dance games...they are fun and a workout too!

jacksonpt

Why is your hatred of exercise holding you back? Weight loss doesn't require exercise.

gxm17

I have the same problem in that I get bored easily. The key is finding something you enjoy doing which means that you'll need to try some different things out. Zumba is a great suggestion (h/t 212ackley), or yoga or kickboxing. Turbo Jam combines kickboxing with a dance feel and it's lots of fun. There's a 20-minute workout, and the Live workouts are only 30 minutes each. IIRC the lower body workout and ab workout are in the 20 to 30 minute range. You can pick up used DVDs on Amazon for pretty cheap, which makes building a workout library gentler on your pocketbook.

lunarescape

Weight loss doesn't require exercise, just a caloric deficit.

However you sound like you already do exercise, just not the traditional sense of "get on the treadmill/lift some weights."

I wouldn't worry too much. Why not go for a lot of walks/hikes? Seems good enough to me.

tabbydog

Maybe try signing up for a 5K or one of those obstacle races that everyone is doing these days. Maybe if you have a goal and a reason for doing it it will be more fun, or at least get you out there doing it? Personally I hate exercising inside, but running outside is fun. Try trail running, it gets you out into nature. Run with your dog (if you have one) or a neighbor's dog (if you don't). Dogs love running so much it is contagious. Of course it is harder in the winter time, and I find myself back inside some days, but I get outside as much as I can! Good luck!

frenchfacey

i feel you. i hate it so much. i found some routines i can DO but i dont like OMG OMG LOVE them. and when i go workout with my girls or my boyfriend they always ask after "wow didnt u love that, wasnt that a GREAT workout"

and im like

"no."

but... its like brushing your teeth...if you want healthy...you just HAVE to.

i think its about figuring out the exercise that makes you the least miserable hahaha

dorianaldyn

I wish I could climb inside your head and give you a different outlook on life...

Exercise will help you lose weight - and there is nothing boring about losing weight. I'm wearing clothing that I had custom tailored before having kids. Do you know how fun and exciting it is to fit into them again?! I'm seeing muscle definition again, I'm not hating the reflection in the mirror, I'm feeling stronger, healthier and more capable than I have in years. Exercise is a part of all that. Exercise is helping me achieve new things. It's not a thing to be dreaded or hated or discounted before you even start. Think of it as a means to a very happy and exciting ending. Think about it as taking time to do something for YOU. I'm sure like the rest of us you have tons of demands on your time. Be selfish and exercise!!

Amandatorie

I wish I could climb inside your head and give you a different outlook on life...

Exercise will help you lose weight - and there is nothing boring about losing weight. I'm wearing clothing that I had custom tailored before having kids. Do you know how fun and exciting it is to fit into them again?! I'm seeing muscle definition again, I'm not hating the reflection in the mirror, I'm feeling stronger, healthier and more capable than I have in years. Exercise is a part of all that. Exercise is helping me achieve new things. It's not a thing to be dreaded or hated or discounted before you even start. Think of it as a means to a very happy and exciting ending. Think about it as taking time to do something for YOU. I'm sure like the rest of us you have tons of demands on your time. Be selfish and exercise!!

Even with a great outlook, doing the elliptical (for example) is still BORING to me. So, so, so very boring. Yes, it's helping burn calories, and lose weight, and even build muscle definition. But it's BORING. Luckily with exercise, there are a lot of less-boring options for those of use who find "typical" gym cardio/weights to be excruciatingly dull. Simply saying "but it's good for you" and trying to change my outlook doesn't make the exercise less boring. Less-boring exercise makes it less boring! Group activities, outdoor adventures, dancing, sports, etc. Those are less boring and still burn calories and can develop muscle.

Jayeskay

Have you tried any of the Lets Dance games on the Wii?

notthatthis

Exercise loves you.

Work much, much harder, do it for less time.

binknbaby

Have you tried any of the Lets Dance games on the Wii?

Haven't heard of them before... But will look into them! Thanks!


And in response to the "all you need is caloric deficit" responses--that is very true, but my goal is not simply weight loss but health as a whole--strength, endurance, cardiovascular health. I don't believe we have to be 115lb and a size 2 to be healthy, or that just losing weight is enough for my personal "ideal"; I believe I can be 140-150 and very healthy, and I'd much rather have that.

alt1268

I too want to be fit again, like I was in my 20's. But after spending the last 3 years in a recliner, from an injury am finding it hard to exercise. I do however enjoy bike riding. (but it's cold out) So I bought a recumbent bike, which I can not go very far on, but I do it.

FullOfWinToo

I literally had the "runner's high" conversation less than an hour before i read your post. I always thought it was a bunch of BS until.....

i started lifting weights. every word you wrote was me to a T. even "fun cardio classes" were as much fun as an eye poke.

I actually do feel that shot of endorphins from strenght training. it goes by soooo fast and even if i dont really really "want" to go, once i start, that feeling is shaken off in minutes. That never ever ever happened when i forced myself to go run on a machine, take a class or do exercise via home video game.

jilliew

I am TOTALLY with you. I HATE excersizing. There is nothing less fun to me than moving around for no reason. I have discovered that Zumba is tolerable, but only alone in my living room. If I have to do it in a room full of people, forget it.

My solution was finding a purpose for my excersize, or tricking myself into it. My ex had a dog and I offered to take over walking him every day, which was enjoyable for us both, so if you have the time and inclination, this is a great solution (even volunteering at a shelter would be great - they always need dog-walkers!). I walk to the store for a few groceries when I can. I plan to get a bike in the summer so I can bike to do errands around town at a farther distance (I live in a snowmageddon region, so this is not practical until about July when the snow melts. lol). Today I made my boyfriend drive me to work (we work together, but he gets off an hour after I do so we usually take two vehicles). Now unless I want to stick around and wait for him (which I SO do not), I will have to walk the 2 miles back to his house to retreive my car.

FullOfWin

I literally had the "runner's high" conversation less than an hour before i read your post. I always thought it was a bunch of BS until.....

i started lifting weights. every word you wrote was me to a T. even "fun cardio classes" were as much fun as an eye poke.

I actually do feel that shot of endorphins from strenght training. it goes by soooo fast and even if i dont really really "want" to go, once i start, that feeling is shaken off in minutes. That never ever ever happened when i forced myself to go run on a machine, take a class or do exercise via home video game.

I like the cut of your jib young lady

MoreBean13

Exercise is hard. There's no getting around that. There's an initial inertia hurdle everyone has to get past before you get to the point where it's even possible to enjoy it, like a speed bump. If it was immediately enjoyable, everyone would do it all the time and everyone would be fit- but the reality is that most people don't have the commitment to get past the speed bump. It's up to you whether it's worth it or not- you can lose weight without exercise. You can probably be relatively healthy with the activity you like to do. But if you want to really get fit, you have to just work at it UNTIL you like it.

EatClean_WashUrNuts

This depends on your goals....because, honestly, you dont HAVE to work out. Your nutrition is the biggest factor.

EDIT: Let me add....if you want motivation...define how badly you want to improve your health.

FullOfWin

After a little over 1.5 years I'm still not sure I "like" it. Can't argue with the results though.

LWolford84

20 minutes on any cardio machine and I am bored to tears. I would recomment high intensity interval training. This can be done cardio equipment or circuit training with weights. Plus there has been increasing evidence that shows that HIIT can burn more calories than one speed training.

LorinaLynn

I used to really hate exercise. Then I realized I don't have to like it. I do plenty of things because it's what I'm supposed to do, even if I don't like it. Dishes. Laundry. Paying bills. Shoveling sidewalks. Shaving my legs. Flossing my teeth. I've never said, "Whoo-doggie! I'm going to floss my teeth now!" I don't get any enjoyment out of it. I just like not having a mouth full of cavities. I like the results, not the activity.

Same goes for exercise. I've come to enjoy running, once I got good at it, but there's still times when I'm dragging myself out the door. I can think of a million things I would have rather done this morning than go running with 14F wind chills, but I know the weather's going to be a lot worse the rest of the week and I might not get a chance to run. I feel better once I do it. And weight lifting... I don't really like it, but I love what it's done for my body. And being able to stack more and more pounds on the bar is pretty exciting, too.

So, you don't like exercise. Big deal. Do it anyway. Then you can enjoy the sense of accomplishment, knowing you're doing good things for your body.

Guamybear

I was the same way.. hated it..hated it... hated it.. but I think the trick is to find something you like..for me..I found ZUMBA.. I used to a big time clubber in my younger days and love to dance so this was perfect for me.. If it wasn't for Zumba can't say I would exercise half as much..

DavPul

Stop making excuses and just work out. You don't have to enjoy it. Either decide you're going to do it and get the benefits from exercise or just say it's not worth it to you. That's perfectly fine and i certainly won't judge you for it.

We're all adults here. There's many things we don't want to do that we get done day after day. Enjoying everything you do would be great, but not realistic. Make your choice

quirkytizzy

I hate exercise. Or rather, I should say I hate cardio. And I always thought that was the ONLY exercise available, so I always quit after a few times.

Then I found Pilates. And I freakin' LOVE it. Turns out that it's not that I hate exercise, I just hate ONE form of it. Seeing what people do here was really helpful. I also never thought of weight training before and, for the first time ever, am contemplating that. I'm too poor for a gym, classes, or even a home DVD, so I just use Youtube. Free and gives me no excuse to avoid it.

Trying not to pigenhole yourself into what you "think" exercise is makes a big difference.

whenday

I don't like to exercise either especially cardio. I want to start 5x5 stronglifts as it is only a 30minute lifting session every other day I think but I won't go to the gym(too expensive) and I need to get some equipment to start that I haven't had the time to look into getting yet. I haven't exercised for a while now because I have been finding that I am under my calorie goal most days and couldn't imagine having to eat my exercise calories back at this time. My calorie requirements are high right now but as I lose more weight and need to re-adjust the calories I think i will need to add exercise so i can eat more.

MorbidMander

Two words; Interval training. That sure as hell doesn't give you time to think it's boring with how badly you're kicking your own *kitten*.

junejadesky

Go out dancing.... boogie down out with the girls....

Ever heard of Yoga Booty Ballet?? It's dancing and is pretty fun.... just a thought....

http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/yoga_booty_ballet.do?code=SEMB_GOOGLE_YBB&s_kwcid=TC|17312|yoga%20booty%20ballet||S|b|19637370253&gclid=CMyt9K7S-rQCFcxAMgodhVUA4A

I am an instructor for this and it's a BLAST in a live class!! Maybe search your area....

chubbygirl253

Stop making excuses and just work out. You don't have to enjoy it. Either decide you're goting to do it and get the benefits from exercise or just say it's not worth it to you. That's perfectly fine and i certainly won't judge you for it.

We're all adults here. There's many things we don't want to do that we get done day after day. Enjoying everything you do would be great, but not realistic. Make your choice.

My thoughts exactly! No wonder I enjoy his comments on my news feed so much. So I second what Dave said. And I'd like to add that you dont get a runner's high without running. A fast shimmy when you cross the street isn't gonna do it. Reassess your goals. Is fitness required to meet them? If so, buck up buttercup. Put on those sneakers and do it. If not, then don't. But you have to take the 'I don't wanna- I hate it- it's boring' diatribe out of the equation. If you want it bad enough you'll find something you like. (You mentioned hiking. Do that. Strap on a heavy backpack and go!)

ptsmiles

I'm not a fan of exercise either, but have found I enjoy doing Tae Bo, and Zumba. I go on Youtube and look up the type of exercise i'm looking for and have gotten pretty lucky to find the videos I enjoy. I used to love Curves, but can no longer afford it. Now I do between 30-40 mins. 5 days a week of either zumba, tae bo or some type of exercise. I have also been working on the calories. I am down 1 pant size in under 6 mos. Hoping to be down another size by July. Set little goals for yourself. Like, cut 100 calories a day out. Start small and they will be easier to manage and achieve.