I hate to exercise -

fourpairs
fourpairs Posts: 14
in Introduce Yourself
My idea of a good evening is a warm fire and a good book. I spend a lot of time staring at the exercise bike but not much time on it. Any suggestions for getting motivate to work out?
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Replies

  • Ascalzo13
    Ascalzo13 Posts: 40
    One thing that helped me, but might not be for everyone. I found a picture of when I was a Senior in High school (my target weight again 125 and fit) I made several copies at home of course. Then I found a similar outfit and took a picture of me now with additional copies. I took a 5x7 piece of cardboard and put my now picture on one side and my old picture on the other. I hung one in my closet, one in my bathroom (kids have separate bathroom), one in front of my elliptical machine. It reminds me everyday why I want to do this. It has worked for me so far....
  • cebreisch
    cebreisch Posts: 1,340 Member
    I joined the gym closest to my home so I wouldn't have many excuses about the location of it. I've also got a path at work that I get up about once an hour and "walk around the office".
  • SunshineDecember
    SunshineDecember Posts: 70 Member
    I'd hate exercising too, if I was stuck inside on an exercise bike :P Try out different sports, go for a walk, hike, run, or bike ride out side, join a club...
    Personally, I fell in love with HIIT (high intensity interval training) workouts - their short (max 20 mins) and effective, but absolutely brutal. If you want some more info on them, feel free to message me :)
    I've also recently discovered audio books. I LOVE biking or running while listening to audio books, or a good play list. Just find out what work for you. Working out isn't always gonna be fun and easy cruising - in the beginning it'll be especially hard - but it shouldn't be something you dread either :)
  • KenosFeoh
    KenosFeoh Posts: 1,837 Member
    Just do it (and I'm saying this to myself, too). I don't particularly like brushing my teeth, but I do it.
  • Cassierocksalot
    Cassierocksalot Posts: 266 Member
    I too love to sit on my *kitten* and do nothing after work. So I started getting up early and working out in the morning. I run at the gym 3 days a week and do DVDs at home for strength training the other 3 days. I will say that I hated working out at first but lately I've noticed that I'm in a much better mood when I work out. I usually take Sundays off to recoop and have been finding myself a Grumpy Gus.

    Try different things until you find what works for you.
  • jr1985
    jr1985 Posts: 1,033 Member
    Find something to distract yourself from the fact that you are working out... Like watching TV... I can also read on the bike... Not so much on the elliptical or the treadmill... Sure you might have to work out for an hr to get the amount of calories you want to burn at that pace, instead of half an hour or whatever if you were doing kickboxing... But hey even working out at just a moderate intensity burns more calories than sitting on the couch looking at the exercise bike...
  • _reno_
    _reno_ Posts: 87 Member
    Do something fun and active. Cardio on a machine SUCKS!
  • concordancia
    concordancia Posts: 5,320 Member
    DANCE!

    Put on you favorite music and move to the groove.

    Once you get in the habit of doing that, look into classes or DVDs that will help you learn new moves and push your heart rate higher.

    It doesn't have to be gym classes, swing dance is growing in popularity again and classes can be found all over the country. Not the acrobatic kind we see in movies, stuff we can all do with just a little practice. It will get your heart beat up and those big band songs tend to be longer than modern pop songs, so you don't get to rest as often :)
  • cyclechick17
    cyclechick17 Posts: 3
    you have to want to do it for yourself, dont look at it like a chore, look at it as being fun. I hate the treadmill BUT with the IFIT program that I recently acquired, I purchased a workout with Jillian Michaels, it uploads to my treadmill and eveyr minute she yells or says something to me. Boy, the first day, that 30 minutes went by SO FAST because every minute I listened to her say something inspiring to me. I love that program and it worked for me and it was FUN.

    good luck.
    Pauline
  • bsmithmia
    bsmithmia Posts: 41 Member
    Join a class at a gym like spin. Anything that can keep you on a schedule should help until it gets routine.
  • HunterTrouble
    HunterTrouble Posts: 24 Member
    I get up at ungodly hours and exercise in the morning. I have no motivation at night.
  • TavistockToad
    TavistockToad Posts: 35,719 Member
    I don't like exercise, but I LOVE the results I get, so I do the work!
  • mallen404
    mallen404 Posts: 266 Member
    read your book while on the bike.. A- you will get in your exercise and B-you will get to read your book.
  • MyChocolateDiet
    MyChocolateDiet Posts: 22,281 Member
    1) agree with those who say get a funner workout...outdoors, element of danger were my faves mtn. bike, roller blade, etc. if that's not possible
    2) trick yourself by saying you're only gonna sit on the bike. Then once your seated tell yourself you're only going to pedal for one minute. when the minute passes tell yourself might as well get to a nice round number like ten minutes. then tell yourself might as well double that. Etc.
    3) put your book up on that flat thing where the tv is. OR get a kindle reader gadget. Only allow yourself to read WHILE On the machine. The reading will distract you from the exercise it will take your full attention. You might need to set an alarm to remind yourself when to get off the thing!
  • pawnstarNate
    pawnstarNate Posts: 1,728 Member
    My idea of a good evening is a warm fire and a good book. I spend a lot of time staring at the exercise bike but not much time on it. Any suggestions for getting motivate to work out?

    not meaning to sound rude but, bottom line is, get over it and get to work!! Healthy dieting isn't worth a dime without at least getting a little active. I'm no Mr. Fitness but, I do know what it's done for me the past year and a lot of others on here too. just my opinion :) Wish you luck
  • SKP1986
    SKP1986 Posts: 392 Member
    I sincerely hated exercise too at the beginning, but just kept trying stuff until I found something I could tolerate. I still have to force myself to work out some days, but it's always worth it and I feel great after. Just do it until it becomes habit.
  • kwindsor3
    kwindsor3 Posts: 4
    I was a "hater" of exercise. But, once you start going and making a habit out of it, it's pretty easy. If you have a bike you can watch TV and even read while pedaling. I use my kindle on the bike. I can play games, read or search the web. Time just seems to fly.
  • Midnight_Sunshine
    Midnight_Sunshine Posts: 369 Member
    Suck it up and get on the bike, princess.
  • corrinnebrown
    corrinnebrown Posts: 345 Member
    watch biggest loser? i am always so motivated to work out when I watch that show. :)

    Find something you like to do...
    zumba, swim, run
  • BodyByViCourt
    BodyByViCourt Posts: 4
    Do something that you find FUN. I love to dance and I have so many dance games around the house. I bought a Heart Rate Monitor and found out how many calories I burn when I play a dancing game for 45 minutes. ITS A LOT. close to 600 calories. Don't spend your time doing something you don't like. Find your interests and put them to workouts :) good luck!
  • brittDbritt
    brittDbritt Posts: 19
    put it in front of the tv and pedal while you watch tv.and personaly my modivation is how great i feel when i eat right and work out
  • sofulnaturalee
    sofulnaturalee Posts: 391 Member
    Dancing is a great workout. I hate to workout as well but love to dance and I've taught dance before. Dancing doesn't feel like exercise to me and you get great results. If I don't think of it as workingout it seems to be more fun and gets me going. My favorite is hiphop and praise dancing. Good luck. You will find something that you like. When it comes to exercising you sometimes have to do a trial period. :-)
  • SunshineDecember
    SunshineDecember Posts: 70 Member
    Something else that really motivates me when working out - stop doing it to burn calories, and start doing it to get stronger. Track how many reps you can do, how many miles you can run/walk/bike. How fast can you go? How heavy can you lift?
    When you start seeing the results, you'll never wanna stop!
  • kacnallsmom
    kacnallsmom Posts: 2 Member
    I hate to excersize too. I lost 40 lbs last year and it helped going to a gym. I tend to work out less amount of time if I am at home. Also, if you are doing a bike get a book or some music and make sure to cover the timer. I found that if I clock watched I would quit sooner.

    Everyone always says you'll learn to love it. I never did. I always fall off the excersize wagon because I hate it. I need to do it to loose weight but I despise working out. I have 30 more lbs to loose so I am back on the wagon again LOL. Good luck.
  • Shelovesthesunshine
    Shelovesthesunshine Posts: 6
    I have the same book to elliptical ratio issue!! Oh, and a real love of cheese & crackers, thats an issue. I just started on MFP & need others to help me stay motivated! :) YOU CAN DO THIS! Book stand available for the bike possibly??
  • maillemaker
    maillemaker Posts: 1,253 Member
    So don't exercise.

    Seriously.

    Exercise is good for you, because it makes you healthy.

    But if your goal is to lose weight, you will be much farther ahead of the game to not eat calories as opposed to trying to exercise them off.

    As they say, you can't out train a bad diet.

    Focus on the diet.
  • cathybruno
    cathybruno Posts: 2
    I feel your message. I hate exercising in the evening as well. The best time in my opinion to exercise is first thing in the morning as soon as you get up, because you get it over with for the day and it is a great start to your day. But, like most of us, time is very limited in the morning and therefore we have to take time in the evening.

    Another suggestion, is to exercise prior to having your dinner. It is a good way of curbing your appetite and so you don't eat so much, and then you can look forward to a relaxing night ahead because you have done your workout for the day.
  • keya51
    keya51 Posts: 25 Member
    I don't like exercise, but I LOVE the results I get, so I do the work!

    this is how i feel. another way is to weigh the options.. health or no health
  • Angie__1MR
    Angie__1MR Posts: 388 Member
    Find an exercise you like
  • jeanmoreno
    jeanmoreno Posts: 139 Member
    dont take it the wrong way,im not trying to be nasty ,but remember if you dont take the time to look after your health now you will have to take the time to look after your diseases one day! think of it!

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