My hatred of exercise

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Replies

  • Excercise was one thing that held me back, but my 3 boys has given me motivation to get off my lazy bud and join them 3x a week with their weekly workout. Started off with power walk, jogging and then running (well, running wasn't fun, but I've managed to overcome that within 2 weeks). We have now introduced crunches, squat, lunges and Russian twist. Next round we'll be moving on to boxing, shuttle runs and a game of touch every Sun afternoon. No equipment required, just out and about at your local park

    Key to enjoying excercise, is taking those little baby steps. Don't throw yourself into it, coz you'll end up slacking off and its back to square 1. It's been 2 weeks since I started my 3x weekly workout and it's been great. I'm having so much fun competing with my boys and at the same time, they're encouraging me to keep going. To date I've lost 1kg but it's better than gaining 5kg sitting around doing nothing

    Out workout routine consist of: 10 x push up, jog 150mtrs, 10 x lung, power walk 150mtrs, 10 x squat, jog 150mtrs, 10 x abdominal crunch, power walk 150mtrs, 10 x toe touch crunch, jog 150mtrs, 10 x russian twist, power walk 150mtrs. We do 4 sets of this and takes roughly 40 - 50 mins (3 x a week)
  • dorothytd
    dorothytd Posts: 1,138 Member
    Classes are a great idea. I never thought I would want to sweat with other people, but you do make some regular buddies who hold you accountable and keep you motivated. And if you find the right class, I promise it won't be boring!! I am a huge fan of kickboxing; focusing on the moves and giving it my all gives my mind a rest and the body a great workout.

    But what you call "being active" is great - walking, hiking, playing. Just keep moving! :)
  • fresh_start59
    fresh_start59 Posts: 590 Member
    I don't just HATE exercise, I FEAR IT! Yes, I have an exercise phobia.

    Oddly enough, it is not the pain that I am afraid of.

    I am afraid of ....
    having a panic attack
    having an asthma attack
    having a heart attack
    passing out and hitting my head on something

    My fears above would be multiplied 10-fold if I had to exercise in front of other people! YIKES!!

    Logically, I know that if I exercise, I'll be healthier. And I also know that my fear of exercise is one of the reasons why I am so fat, have lost the majority of my muscle mass and get a pounding heart with the slightest bit of physical exertion.

    I even started a group on MFP called, "Exercise Phobia: Face the Fear" :
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/10234-exercise-phobia-face-the-fear

    Nobody posted there but me, so after a couple weeks I stopped posting. Looking back, I was embarrassed that I was the only person on MFP who was (is) afraid of exercise.

    But now, I've changed my mind. I'm going to keep posting there, even if it is just to say that I walked 6,000 steps or 600 steps, used my light resistance band for two exercises or that my biggest exercise of the day was lifting the water jug out of the fridge.
  • Anthonydaman
    Anthonydaman Posts: 854 Member
    Most body atheistic goals are dependent on what you consume. The calories burnt by exercising vs the calories consumed is an unfair trade. Exercise will speed up the process but what you consume is the biggest factor in weight loss.
  • You need a workout partner that will workout with you...that you agree to meet at a certain time. Get your kids involved...maybe you can all do martial arts or walking the neighborhood...how old your kids are will depend on what you can do.
  • ravenchick
    ravenchick Posts: 345 Member
    I've lost 120 pounds in 10 months with zero exercise. So I'm not sure why you think lack of exercise is holding you back?
  • Rhonnie
    Rhonnie Posts: 506 Member
    A little tweak you can try, since you do like activities like hiking and such, is do just a 30 second 'burst' before you start to walk or hike or whatever... this will get your heart rate up and it will stay up a little longer while you are doing your hike/walk. It's small change, but it can help. You may find at some point that in the middle of your walks you add a 'burst', then maybe one day at the end of your walk. Who knows where it will lead. :)
  • fridayjustleft04
    fridayjustleft04 Posts: 851 Member
    I agree with everyone who suggested Zumba or the dance games. I hated exercise until I finally found something I love (happened to be TurboFire for me). If you don't want to spend money on a class, dvd or game, turn on the radio, pandora, or your ipod and get crazy. Sometimes my workout is just me dancing like a complete idiot in my living room. It's SO FUN and it definitely burns calories.
  • sullykat
    sullykat Posts: 461 Member
    When I first started out... oh, about 7 years ago!... I hated sweating, just HATED IT! So exercising was not something I enjoyed at all. To remedy this, I started swimming (you don't feel the sweat when you swim :wink: ), as I have progressed through life, I have developed a love for the sweat; it makes me know what I'm doing is working. I started walking and jogging, then running. Doing an 8 week boot camp made me really change my tune!
  • Poorgirls_Diet
    Poorgirls_Diet Posts: 528 Member
    I have the same feelings as well but I keep in my head if I want it bad enough I will do anything to achieve it . I do try to do something that I enjoy but its the motivation of getting up and do it but I do get there. I have realized that I am more of an afternoon exercise junkie than a morning one
  • sullykat
    sullykat Posts: 461 Member
    .
  • sullykat
    sullykat Posts: 461 Member
    I've lost 120 pounds in 10 months with zero exercise. So I'm not sure why you think lack of exercise is holding you back?

    maybe she not only wants to be thin, she also wants to be fit.
  • luvs2teachincali
    luvs2teachincali Posts: 207 Member

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

    ^^ LOVE THIS. Thank you for putting this spin on it. :flowerforyou:

    I should type that up and display it loud and proud in my house. My husband gets on the treadmill EVERY DAY like clockwork. He swears he HATES it just as much as I do, but says, "I have to force myself because I want to get healthy."
  • geebusuk
    geebusuk Posts: 3,348 Member
    I don't like exercise, but I enjoy the results.

    I do enjoy other more 'interesting' forms of exercise - rock climbing, mountain biking etc.

    I've been doing 'starting strength' recently.
    Involves three exercises per gym session (say squats, bench press and deadlift.) The exercises don't take long, though a good rest between each set means it's about 45 minutes in total (including the couple of minutes to get to and from the gym, as it's just down the road.)
    I have an audio book on the mp3 player so I don't have to listen to whatever dodgy radio station they have (now sorting it so I can do it in my own space.) Overall, not too bad.
  • victoriannsays
    victoriannsays Posts: 568 Member
    I really don't enjoy exercising at all. I enjoy the results.. so it's worth it to me.
  • KenosFeoh
    KenosFeoh Posts: 1,837 Member
    I understand, I really do, but I also agree with a former poster - we're all adults here. We have to do a lot of things that are not fun - in fact, are downright boring - but we do them because they have to be done. So I drink my water in spite of its uninspiring taste, brush my teeth and change my linens, and I exercise.
  • 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.

    I hate the elliptical too, so when I know I'll be using it, I make sure I have an MP3 player stocked with high-energy music that I can set a pace to. It's actually enjoyable, try it!
  • Vercell
    Vercell Posts: 437 Member
    Well you are doing good you are moving, do what you like maybe move really fast add some squats during your hikes and walks and add some resistant bands or weights. The more you do what you love you will soon see the results and want to do more.
  • SoDamnHungry
    SoDamnHungry Posts: 6,998 Member
    Take walks, hike, and play with your kids. Then eat less calories than you burn and you'll lose weight.
  • kayla554
    kayla554 Posts: 99 Member
    I don't hate exercise I enjoy it but sometimes when I do alot of cardio at once it can be boring but music helps me get through it. Also if you get bored fast try doing high intensity workouts that burn fat fast... They are very tiring and trust me you will be feeling the "burn" not being bored.
  • AmandaReimer1
    AmandaReimer1 Posts: 235 Member
    You can get Zumba for wii, and you can choose your class lengths. Someone suggested interval...maybe try Jillian Michaels 30 day shred? It's only 20 minutes, and available on YouTube.
  • xXxHBICxXx
    xXxHBICxXx Posts: 370 Member
    I too hate working out most of the time but I loooooove LOVE that feeling when your done and your sweaty and exhausted that's when I know I've done something right. And I get in a really good mood after I workout so that is a huge plus.
  • jkestens63
    jkestens63 Posts: 1,164 Member
    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*.

    Have to agree, changing it up constantly makes it interesting.
  • melbatoast917
    melbatoast917 Posts: 370 Member
    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.

    Ugh! Exactly! All the wasted months pretending I LOOOOVED cardio! I can honestly say that 45 minutes flies by doing squats, lunges, deadlifts, etc.
  • norcal_yogi
    norcal_yogi Posts: 675 Member
    Why is your hatred of exercise holding you back? Weight loss doesn't require exercise.

    yep^. while exercise is wonderful for your body and mind, it's not required to lose weight.
  • Dedication- develop it
  • wmagoo27
    wmagoo27 Posts: 201 Member
    Join a team. Play a sport. Check your local community center.
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    Do things outside.

    Run, hike and bike - not for the exercise but for getting out and doing things, seeing things.
    Do it alone or with people - whichever works for you.
    Listen to music.
    Take classes.
    Try different things like weight lifting, climbing.
    Set goals or pcompetitions.
    Think about how you feel afterwards and how you enjoy your body.
    Play mental games.

    And if at the end of it all you still don't like living in a healthy body - that's ok, you can stll lose weight but just adjust your mental picture of how you want to grow old and unfit.