Never exercised in my life!

josarahm

i am interested in hearing from people who were new to exercise. I am 46 and have never really exercised. Every bone in my body hurts so I know I need to change. I am scaring myself because I am getting so unhealthy but the exercise is hard. Does it get better. I am only doing walks and bike riding right now. They describe a 3mph wak as "walking a dog"It feels like a run to me!

Bubblevixen

I HATED exercise up until 5 weeks ago. I figured I had to change or carrying on feeling crappy. My story is on my profile anyways hunny if you're interested in my backstory :P Yes, It does get easier. I started with Tony Horton's ten minute trainer, completed my 4 week accelerated results program and damn i hurt for the first week or so, but it sure as heck gets easier! I've just completed my first week of P90 and I've never felt as good as i do right now. Seem to feel better each day that passes

Read this the first week i was here :
"Nobody ever regretted working out...people always regret NOT working out."

It's pretty much shaped my attitude. Sent you a friend request hun

mfrieler324

"Do today what others will not, so you can do tomorrow what others cannot."

Keep working out! You will gradually notice that those walks will get easier and easier. It's all about the mindset! You shouldn't feel pleasant while working out, but you should get a high off knowing you are conditioning your body for survival!

heidihunt357

Hi, Working out is hard. I have to always tell myself I am going to do it. Sadly, I admit it doesnt always work for me. But today I found out that gardening counting as working out and so does me going up and down my stairs. (I do not go up and down my stairs since i do not have to.) In general though, yes, it hurts, yes it can be annoying and you will feel like crude for a while. But lets be honest, though you hurt and said you felt like you ran, didnt you feel better knowing at least you did it? That is how I feel.
Best of luck!

outlandish30

I was scared at first too. I just started small and now I can do things I never thought I could. Like be on the elliptical for 45 minutes straight! Just start small and you can work your way up in no time!

M______

It does get easier. What seemed to get easier for me was my willingness to push through when it started to get tough. I couldn't do that at the start.

2 months ago 10 minutes of squash left me exhausted.
3 days ago I played for an hour and a half and didn't want to leave.

You don't need to start with anything crazy at all. Just making the effort for what suits you will be what works for you. It gets easier

royvor

Hi, It will get better. I used to be 273 lbs and very inactive. Wow when I say I could not do much walking. Start off small. You will be amazed how much stronger your body will get as time goes by our bodies can adapt to anything. I really like this quote that hopefully fosters motivation that this tough period of pain while exercising is short lived. " Tough times never last tough people do. " Best of luck on your journey don't ever give up.

godsgrl33

Sometimes, when you walk a dog, it can feel like the dog walks you! And, don't say that it is "just walking". Walking can be hard, especially when you are not used to it. Cut yourself some slack. The important thing is that you don't quit, and you'll make it.

LJCannon

:drinker: I hated Exercise until I joined Curves in 2009. I found an "Exercise" that I actually ENJOYED :noway: And I looked forward to going in every day.
If you don't like what you are doing right now, keep trying new things until you find something you LOVE!! Then it won't feel like "Work". And don't be afraid to try something that you "Think" you will Hate!! I tried Heavy Lifting and I LOVE it!! My Husband is in Shock!!

Wildbran

I never exercised, at all. When I started this about a month and a half ago i started walking, slow enough at first so my legs didn't hurt too bad. Then i bumped up the speed a little, my legs still kill me when i walk fast but i'm hoping it will get better with practice. I can't even do 2 sit-ups. I've been trying to do a couple minutes of stretching and trying to do sit-ups, or v-sit ups. Even just laying on my bed holding my legs out straight and pulling them up, it's hard, it hurts, and i can't even breath while i'm doing it. i have to hold it for 10 seconds and then breath for a few. I hate that i've let myself get this way, but it's nobody's fault but my own.

I couldn't walk for 10 minutes without getting winded, and have to sit and message my calves/shins. but I'm getting better, my max at 3 mph is about 25 minutes, then i have to take a break - or my feet start to go numb!

Don't give up though, it's tough, i don't like it sometimes, but i still do it.

GeekAmour

Snap.

I have always, always, always hated exercise, the idea of it, doing it, THINKING about it. Ugh. I would always walk school races, sit out any activities I could & glower.... I was crap at it (obviously because I never bothered to try) & didn't want to embarrass myself.

I have had spurts of "exercising" in the past - very brief each time, ie: gym every day for a week, a running regime that lasted 2 days... but it was always just too hard, and pointless, I thought.

Until now. I got a fitbit & realised my daily activity was way, waaaaaay below what I thought it was, and the only way to make my goals was to go on a dedicated walk every night. I take an audio book with me & walk after dinner. At first it was a real slog - I wasn't used to moving that much - but now I look forward to it all day, enjoy it, can walker further & faster quicker & I am starting to incorporate running spurts. I feel so much better that it's like an awesome cycle of exercise>feel good>want to exercise to feel good. I'll be incorporating resistance training shortly too, like... like... a person that likes exercise or something. What the wha?

So, my advice is to make your exercise something you enjoy & maybe make it as much like not doing exercise as possible. Try to make it your "me time" & look forward to it, and if you don't look forward to it, keep doing it anyway, because, and you have to trust that this will happen for you, because it will.... you WILL start looking forward to it eventually.

Amandastan

It takes discipline if you are not active. It's really all will power. I live a fairly active lifestyle and usually don't mind it but some days I don't want to do it at all . thats when I force myself to exercise. Until you are used to it that's probably the only way to do it.
The positive thing is you can eat right and not do exercise and still lose weight.

My advice is to start out slow and work your way up to it.

besaro

i hated it. and still do. walking is boring, running is boring but quicker. workout dvds are hard. Only thing I really like is dance central for my xbox.

But, I like how i feel after I do any of my workouts.

murdie

I never exercised in my life either! I am 58 years old. I started to exercise in Jan 2012. I workout every day now and I just love it! I was a very unhealthy weight...almost 300 pounds!. I now weight less than 140! I started with some DVD's. I liked Richard Simmons
( he is fun) and Leslie Sansone (she is easy to follow) I couldn't even do 10 minutes without dying! I was able to build strength and stamina. I feel so good now!!! I can't believe the difference! It was worth every difficult moment! The hardest thing to do is start!! You will never regret it! Go for it! Feel free to add me1 Good luck! You can do it!

supergirl6

I started out at almost 350 and very little exercise in my past. Some, but not much. Not for a long time. It's going to hurt. It's going to be hard. It's going to suck something awful. That's just the truth that you have to face going in. But it gets easier when your body starts to get better at working out. That's the fun part!

When I started, a 2.3 on the treadmill was rough. Eventually I built up to running at a 4.5. It took about five months and I hit the gym about 5 days a week until I hurt a tendon in my foot and had to take some time off.

Go with what you can do, but make sure you are pushing yourself. It shouldn't feel too easy, but it shouldn't be too much too soon. Don't just do cardio, do some weight training too. Weight training will make your body stronger faster and more able to deal with what you throw at it.

You're going to be great! You just have to believe that it will eventually. I found my turning point happened about 4 weeks after I started. When I began I could do about 3 squats using the stability ball against the wall for balance. My knees hurt every time I did them. Then one day I did 10 squats and it was no big deal. So I got rid of the ball and did ten squats again and it wasn't EASY but it wasn't impossible either. That was my turning point day. It was proof that what I was doing was working. Find something like that you can measure your success against.

Go often. Once or twice a week is going to make seeing results very slow. My doctor recommended 5 days a week, but your mileage my vary. Good luck with everything!

purple_power61

Today was day 1 of exercise for me.... I tried the 30 day shred and got about 5 min into it and had to stop.... my muscles are sore just from the warm up exercises and jumping jacks hahaha but tomorrow is another day and I'm going to push myself a little bit further.... Just don't give up!

JessHealthKick

I am exercising at a higher level than you, but I can tell in just a few weeks of jogging more regularly my fitness has improved so much, I am sleeping much better and have MORE energy.

Don't wait any longer, get into it and stay strong. Listen to your body and don't ever push yourself too far.

Scubanana7

You are so lucky to be 46 and starting this! I am 58 and wish I could get back a lost FAT decade or two. Don't give up. Exercise gets sooooo much easier. One step, one day, one pound, one inch at a time. I began at 250, couldn't walk more than 1/2 mile. Then got to 1 mile in 30 minutes. Then in 20....Now I am doing 3 miles in 45 minutes with a 'touch' of jogging....and I still weigh in pretty heavy (195). The weight is coming off sooooo slowly and I have turned into an exercise freak. and believe me, I used to hate to get off the couch to go pee! So if I can catch the exercise bug, ANYONE can! I even started swimming. I couldn't make one lap without resting a LOT after it. Today, I swam 20 laps in 38 minutes--NONSTOP.

Take back your life! Your knees will thank you, your back will thank you and you get to ENJOY the rest of it UNFAT! Just keep moving....step by step. If the exercise program is making you so sore you want to quit, then just walk for a few weeks or months. Then add that program back in after you have gotten your body accustomed to moving. Just DON"T STOP!

melle1818

As i young woman, i never thought i would have such a hard time with exercise. and trust me....when you sit on your butt for so long, trying to run, jog, and even walking at a fast pace feels like death!!! I absolutely dreaded going out to exercise until............. i stumbled upon this one page about how to up your endurance.
I would love to share it with you all, because it helped me so much!! I could barely run for 2 minutes, and now i can go for much longer distances (15 min.) which i would have NEVER been able to do.

Here goes: (Note i changed the walking times to 2 mins instead of 1 minute, due to 90min workouts compared to 20minute workouts)

Week one: Walk fast 4 mins, walk slow 1 min
Week two : Run 1 min, walk 3 mins
Week three: Run 1 min , walk 3 mins
Week four: Run 1min , walk 1 min
Week five: Run 2 min, walk 1 min
Week six: Run 3 mins, walk 1 min
Week seven: Run 4 mins, walk 1 min
Week eight: Run 6 mins , walk 1 min
Week nine: Run 9 mins, walk 1 min
Week ten: Run 12 mins, walk 1min
Week eleven: Run 15 mins, walk 1 min
Week twelve: Run 20 minutes!!!!!!!!
All weeks are based on 20 minute workouts.

Hope this helps someone out there! cardio, cardio, cardio!! Don't give up; it gets easier!!

herndonl

That sounds great, keep up the good work! I read a book called that Mafatone Method and that really helped me exercise too! I learned how to extend my endurance by keeping my heart rate low while I was running. It's basically the same sort of thing you are talking about. It's a great book if you are interested in going further. I eventually was able to run a half marathon, with no stopping or walking. I never knew I could exercise without hurting before! Hope your journey goes well.

melle1818

Amazing!! thanks, i am going to actually look into that book! Crossing that finish line must have felt so amazing, congrats!!! Like you i also NEVER thought running would feel so good!

Tristaan

Just get out and walk. Start slow, and set an attainable goal. Eventually you'll pass your landmarks (or mile markers, or pedometer steps) and set a new goal. You'll feel a difference in yourself, things will get easier. Your goals will get more challenging because your confidence will be building. After you're comfortable, add some weights, take a class, get a couple trainer sessions. If you're not comfortable in a gym, buy a few weights and do some basic exercises at home. Try new things. Everyone is different, don't worry about anyone else's progress, be your own toughest competitor. Listen to your body, and celebrate what it can do. You are going to do great!

SteelySunshine

How about people who are new again? Up until about a decade ago I was pretty active. I had a job that kept me on my feet and running for about 8 hours a day. After work I would usually do something too, with my daughter usually after dinner. Then suddenly I couldn't do it anymore, I was exhausted and spent a couple months sleeping up to 16 hours a day. Anyway long story short, I am just getting back to being able to walk for more than 30 minutes, but sometimes I still have to sit down before the 30 minutes is up. I am trying to get to 1 hour without having to take a break, but I am up to 1 hour with a break in there. Next it will be 90 minutes with maybe a couple of rest periods.

AuntieMC

bump

billsica

Working out is like a fate worse then death.. Oh wait no its not.

I don't want to die, I don't want a heart attack, I don't want a stroke. I want to be there for my kids.
Nothing can be worse than that. Every time exercise gets easier I push it harder. I just push all my hate and rage and everything into it. I don't get that much time to work out, so I have to schedule it and make every moment count.

3.5mph is fine by the way. Awesome job that you are doing it!

Vailara

I'm a "new again" person . I used to be very fit when I was young, but got more sedentary a few years ago and was pretty unfit by the time I started exercising again. It was hard!

Does it get better? Yes and no! I suppose when I'm exercising I'm trying to put in a certain amount of effort, and that doesn't change. I can no longer just march on the spot to feel that I'm "working". Now I have to do something more energetic, like dancing. So yes, the thing that you're doing gets easier, but then you have to do harder things :laugh: .

Walking pace varies between individuals. I've always been a slow walker, even when fit. I blame short legs. So I wouldn't worry about how fast you're going, but whether it feels like you're doing something. I do have to consciously speed up and walk briskly to feel that I'm putting effort in, as I would tend to amble. But I don't worry about the mph speed.

If I was you, I'd add in some resistance/strength training. I know people go on about it here, but I really do feel that it's beneficial, particularly for women in their 40s and up. Having strong muscles and bones is so important. And also, I'd say that's the one area where I really saw progression. It's so satisfying finding that you're noticeably stronger (able to lift a heavier weight) within days sometimes!

SarahDavs

I am pretty out of shape. I started riding my stationary bike 5 minutes at a time for a week, added 5 minutes the next week and so on. You don't want to over strain yourself, or get an injury or just plain scare yourself out of exercising from over doing it. So ease into it.

Annie83uk

i had done some exercise before but it was still hard, once you push past the pain barrier and your body gets stronger you will be fine. i don't do just walking because i walk 15 minutes to work and back anyway, i do jillian michaels revolution, it is very hard i am starting week 7 on tuesday and dreading what i'm gonna have to do. let me tell you the feeling you get from your body getting stronger and more flexible is amazing, i could never sit up properly on my sofa now i can, i could never cross my legs now i can, even standing after sitting for a long time would hurt now i do it with ease, it is so unbelievable, 6 months ago i would never of thought i had it in me but you never know the strength you have. good luck with your weight loss we are all here to help if you need it

TheDramaQueen

Hi I'm an exercise avoider too, have always hated it, and use any excuse not to walk my little dog! But I know this needs to change and I think using MFP will help, as you have the reward of exercising by be able to add to your cals for the day! As well as the long term rewards to your body of course.

if any exercise newbies want to add me as a friend so we can support and encourage each other that'd be great, just send me a friend request.

I'm 49 and planning to start walking to begin with! Who knows what it'll lead to!!

sunshinestater

Welcome! I'm 48 and have gone in spurts of doing exercise videos or the gym, but never consistently as a life habit. It's scary to take the plunge later in life, but so worth it for the benefits. I'm going to make it stick this time. I'm doing Jillian Michaels Body Revolution and will be training for 5Ks. My parnts died in thier mid 50s, and I'm not going to follow that path. Please friend me if you'd like mutual support.

Kevintron2

I never exercised either. Now I can't image a day without it. Once I got in the groove I don't feel right until I get my exercise in for the day. I'm always planning for my workouts. For me It's freakin' addicting!!