I REALLY Don't Like to Exercise

I'm sure someone has posted something about this topic before but I'm not kidding here...I really hate to exercise!

I do some walking but only because I know I have to do it. And yes, I've tried all kinds of exercise to see what might pique my interest. I've tried walking, stationary bike, pickle ball, softball (I'm currently on a team), volleyball, swimming, and others. I only do what I do because I know I have to do it. I've tried solo, exercising, exercising with a buddy, classes, and now I'm trying team sports. I've tried exercising with my Wii also, but I'm just not into it.

Yes. I've tried to change my mindset. I try to go into my chosen exercise of the day with a positive mind but I just don't seem to enjoy it! I'm not sure if it's because I'm self-conscious or if I just truly don't like exercise. When I was much younger, I never enjoyed P.E. either. I played some softball, volleyball, and tennis over the years but never for long periods of time. The only thing I ever really enjoyed was biking and I can't even get that joy back.

Is there anyone else out there in the same boat and if so, what helped you get more active?

Replies

  • weliveaswedream
    weliveaswedream Posts: 56 Member
    What physical activity DO you like? Do you like to dance? Try a Zumba class or just make yourself a playlist of songs for about 20 minutes and jam in your living room. If you find something that is physical that's not traditionally thought of as exercise, you can count it. As long as you're sweating, you're burning calories.

    You might also just need to get yourself on a schedule and get your endorphins going. I used to HATE running but now that I attend a boot camp class every weekday morning that includes socializing and having fun while running, and I love it. We run everywhere and it's fun to me. I never thought I'd say that.
  • Crochetluvr
    Crochetluvr Posts: 3,320 Member
    I cant say I LOVE exercise, either. I do not mind using my stationary bike but the weight training I am only doing because I have to. No other motivation than that. Of course, committing to a one year contract at a gym kinda pushes you a little, too. :D
  • SPNLuver83
    SPNLuver83 Posts: 2,050 Member
    I used to hate exercising..... but I kept doing it. And then I started to see myself change, and that intrigued me. So I started pushing harder. Like really hard. And I discovered a little thing called endorphins, which is what your body releases after an intense workout. It makes you feel SUPER good, and your body starts to crave it. It gets addicted to it, like a natural drug. Once I felt it, I got hooked, and now if I don't exercise I find myself getting crabby easy lol
  • amylovescupcakes
    amylovescupcakes Posts: 146 Member
    You know what? I'm 30 days in of every single day for at least 10 minute exercise, and I hate it. Well, I hate it at 6:25am when I wake up to DO it, but I love it when I'm done. Just try 10 minutes every single day.
  • shanae727
    shanae727 Posts: 546 Member
    I used to hate exercising..... but I kept doing it. And then I started to see myself change, and that intrigued me. So I started pushing harder. Like really hard. And I discovered a little thing called endorphins, which is what your body releases after an intense workout. It makes you feel SUPER good, and your body starts to crave it. It gets addicted to it, like a natural drug. Once I felt it, I got hooked, and now if I don't exercise I find myself getting crabby easy lol

    ^this!!!
  • kylakesgal
    kylakesgal Posts: 952 Member
    Hi there...yes in the beginning I was totally in the same boat. I was a couch potato so it took baby steps for me. I added little bits of exercise at first and I really didn't want to do anything but made myself! And guess what? Now I love to exercise. Find something you like to do that doesn't seem like exercise. For me, I loved to dance so I would crank up the music and dance. I bought my elliptical over year ago and couldn't even do 5 mins!! Now I can go a long time. It's all about habits, just keep it up and it will be second nature to you just like breathing. You CAN do it too!!
  • MyM0wM0w
    MyM0wM0w Posts: 2,008 Member
    I agree with the others, I don't LOVE doing it but it needs to be done and when it's over I'm always glad I did it.

    I don't like going to WORK every morning either but if I want to eat and pay rent I have do it.

    ETA: I will admit that it's a lot less horrible now. I'm fascinated by what my body can do now and it's not such a struggle to force myself to burn calories.
  • SusanMcAvoy
    SusanMcAvoy Posts: 445 Member
    I hate exercise and I'm sure I always will. I force myself to do it. And what kills me is I know it's a life sentence or I won't stay in shape. So I found some DVD's that are tolerable :laugh: I have about 6 DVD's of different aerobics and I change them up. Some days I just say screw it and don't do anything but I always make up for it the next day. I hope you find something that you like. It's very important for weight loss and health and well being. Unfortunately that is the cold hard truth. Have a great night. Sue :flowerforyou:
  • ZeroWoIf
    ZeroWoIf Posts: 588 Member
    Exercise is just a means as dieting will give you results as well. Exercise will make what you eat more efficient. Your body will get stronger, and so will your mind. Cardiovascular exercises are pretty plentiful. Machine based is fine, and running is fine. You have to try as many of them as you like. Weight training is great if you do it properly.
  • I Really don't like it either, and have not found anything to get over it aside from swimming but as my pool isn't heated it is about to put away the bathing suit again until next summer.
  • drakechic08
    drakechic08 Posts: 156 Member
    Something I fell in love with that I didnt think I would is rowing. I saw it on Biggest loser and decided to try it and Im hooked, but I also love Zumba and hiking so I cant say I am really in the same boat. I would much rather be outside though than in a gym, so when I cant really do outside stuff due to weather, Im not as happy and do not enjoy it as much.
  • postrockandcats
    postrockandcats Posts: 1,145 Member
    Cardio in the gym can suck. It's flat out boring. I found that I liked the gym more once I started lifting. That said, who says you need a gym? I LOVED hiking and bike riding when I was in an area that was better suited for that. Go with a friend and make it fun!
  • californiagirl2012
    californiagirl2012 Posts: 2,625 Member
    I'm sure someone has posted something about this topic before but I'm not kidding here...I really hate to exercise!

    I do some walking but only because I know I have to do it. And yes, I've tried all kinds of exercise to see what might pique my interest. I've tried walking, stationary bike, pickle ball, softball (I'm currently on a team), volleyball, swimming, and others. I only do what I do because I know I have to do it. I've tried solo, exercising, exercising with a buddy, classes, and now I'm trying team sports. I've tried exercising with my Wii also, but I'm just not into it.

    Yes. I've tried to change my mindset. I try to go into my chosen exercise of the day with a positive mind but I just don't seem to enjoy it! I'm not sure if it's because I'm self-conscious or if I just truly don't like exercise. When I was much younger, I never enjoyed P.E. either. I played some softball, volleyball, and tennis over the years but never for long periods of time. The only thing I ever really enjoyed was biking and I can't even get that joy back.

    Is there anyone else out there in the same boat and if so, what helped you get more active?

    I find what helped me at first was music. I pretty much need my music at the gym. Also my routine is different every day with the weight training. Always switching it up, always something different, heavy, light, combos, super sets. The same with running, fast, HIIT, moderate, easy. You have to find a way to like it or you won't do it.

    Also I love doing things outdoors. hiking, biking, running. I want to get a SUP board and paddle someday, that would be an awesome workout.
  • Awkward30
    Awkward30 Posts: 1,927 Member
    When I first joined MFP, I told myself "you have to get in something that looks like exercise every day." For rest days I just did low intensity cardio. Some days it was only 15 minutes of HIIT if I was busy... but I made myself go every day. Now I'm addicted and I get fidgety and feel gross when I can't work out. I injured myself and haven't been able to work out for 2 weeks and I'm so excited to get back to the gym! I never would have guessed, but I really love working out!

    Also, lifting heavy is so addictive because you see numerical progress quickly and body composition progress not long after!
  • ybrown1991
    ybrown1991 Posts: 15 Member
    I have always struggled with being dedicated to exercise, but being able to see the impact it has on my body and the weight lost is motivation! Also, having a friend that introduced me to the gym helps me to stay on track with the buddy system! I still have days I don't want to go but having a buddy helps to push me on to keep going!
  • moniraq
    moniraq Posts: 63 Member
    Thanks to everyone for for all the great ideas and kind replies. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one out there who feels this way.
  • Do you live in a city? I live in medium sized city and I also hate running (with a passion) and swimming and the gym, but I love biking. I never go out and bike for exercise. Instead, I bike to work and back and to different social events. As a means of transportation, biking means you are doing something as exercise and so it feels like you are just going about your day. It has an outside goal beside working out. Plus, it saves me a lot of money in gas and parking.
  • love22step
    love22step Posts: 1,103 Member
    Dancing, Zumba, self-defense, racquetball, gardening, biking? I have fun doing lots of things. It's hard for me to imagine having fun without moving and burning calories. Keep experimenting!