Hate Working Out - What Got You Started?
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I hated it to, but honestly in my life it is my only block of undisturbed ME time in my day. I read a book while I do my Cardio, I know I know, might not give me the *best* results, but I give er on there while I am doing it. I look forward to that block of time where I don't have to worry about how I am going to juggle everything else in my life and just clear my mind. After I got past the hump of the first week, I haven't looked back!0
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A workout buddy.0
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Someone else mentioned working out with someone. This can be helpful! Making it a "date" somehow works for me on the days when I don't want to go. It's easier for me to view it as a social engagement rather than something I don't feel like doing. If I don't go on my date, I let myself down and the other person down.
Also, I say compile all of the responses you receive here into a concise list. Hang it up somewhere visible. (For me, this would be on the fridge or next to my computer.) On the days when you are making pesky excuses for yourself, you can find inspiration in your own willingness to ask the important question "What got you started?" and the community of people who took the time to share their thoughts and experiences.
We can do this and know we should! So, let's do!
Good luck!0 -
For me, it was about LIKING what I was doing.
30DS? Effective? Yes. Did I like it? NO!
Running? Not my favorite thing.
Elliptical? Bored easy, and every time I got on it, it seems the wireless would go down and my streaming videos would come to a full and complete stop, so of course I followed suit, LOL.
I drug the Wii out in January to stream the 30DS thru Amazon, and also drug out the balance board, Wii Fit and Wii Sports. THAT is fun. More like playing than actually exercising, and it does burn calories. I usually phart around with that when I'm not lifting my weights 3x weekly.
Oh, yeah. Lifting. Do I like it? OMG, yes. Will I stick with it? OMG, yes!
That was the thing. There already aren't enough hours in the day, and if I am going to spend an hour of each of them exercising, I want to at least ENJOY it.0 -
I have completed 30 DS and it was so frustratingly boring. I love the results, but I hated doing the same workout over and over.
My jump starter was walking. I walk to DVD's, outside, and on the treadmill. Then I got into hiking. I am very lucky that there is a wonderful hiking trail system where I live, so I have unlimited opportunities for that in the warmer months. When I don't feel too motivated, I walk to appointments and for running errands and I map out how far away they are.
I've always loved swimming so I recently started doing that once per week at the gym.
I learned how to weight lift from my school's football coach when I was growing up, and I always liked it. However, I was intimidated by the machines at the gym so I hired a personal trainer for a few sessions and even got "Weight Lifting for Dummies." I love weight lifting now. Music usually helps!
I recently tried cross country skiing, which I loved. I also started running again using the Couch 2 5K program, which I would highly recommend you look up.
For me, the basic combination that works well is variety and lifestyle activities. I don't like classes, but I love being outside and sort of engaging in active meditation in the fresh air.
Right now, my first suggestion to you would be check out Couch 2 5K. Great plan for spring!0 -
The more you do it, the more you will want to, generally speaking. Exercise, while tiring, will make you feel great afterwards. Sometimes I've had such a good workout that it almost feels like a sex glow when I'm all done! :P And occasionally exercising will spur me on and give me MORE energy, to clean or do homework or be productive in some other way.
Of course there are going to be days where you'll struggle to motivate yourself. But if you're like me and have trouble fitting in all the foods you want into your day, motivate yourself by saying "I can't have x food unless I work out today", then either go without the food or do the workout. Either way, it's a positive you can feel good about-- exercising will power or improving your physical fitness.
Good luck!0 -
I said I was ready and I meant it. I wanted something specific and bright and glorious and unattainable and impossible and there were a million obstacles in my way and I didn't care about motivation or gym socks or goal bikinis anymore.... I just wanted to Prove my personal integrity and ROAR at the top of my legs because doing what you HAVE TO DO so you can HAVE WHAT YOU WANT TO HAVE is so much more fulfilling than trying to have just a little bit of what you want.0
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I realized that I needed to find what motivated me. I am a competitive person. So I started training for a 5k. I figured it was more motivating to me to train for an upcoming competition than it is to exercise for the sake of exercising. I also like weight training way better than cardio for the most part as I up the weight frequently so i always feel like I'm improving.
It also needs to just become habit. Eventually you will feel off on days you don't exercise. It becomes like anything else you do on a daily basis. "I need to brush my teeth, work out, shower, and go to work." It gets to the point where it's up there with those things.0 -
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I can not, no matter how many attempts, do a video at home. I'm bored, don't give it 100%, whatever. However, I love to ride my bike on trails. Gym classes and/or weights have always worked for me. Something about seeing people and how hard they are working really motivates me.
Even something basic like shooting hoops or hitting a tennis ball against a wall can get you moving. (And might lead to meeting someone and playing a game.)
Good luck!0 -
i could have written your post, really trying to get motivated, but sometimes the most obvious is the answer, when i first lost my weight i did something i liked the wii fit!! it broke and now i keep trying to do other things i just don't like 30 ds, walking in the cold etc. time to look into getting my wii fit fixed lol. thanks for posting and thanks for the suggestions0
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I tricked myself into it when I was 17.
I began taking a martial arts class for self defense purposes... and discovered they're TONS of fun, and one heck of a great workout! I get all tired and sweaty and sore, but I'm having so much fun that I don't care! When you can kick your way through three pine boards, it's no longer about the exercise - it's about feeling like a bada**! lol It gets me out of the house and into a class 2-3 times a week, and I can't wait until my next one. 
Find something you love to do, like dancing or fighting or skiing or WHATEVER! It won't feel like a chore, and you'll be getting the workout you want/need.0 -
I really don't like it much either. I got started going on walks. Just out the front door and walk. I thrive on routines, so I walk every morning and I've gradually increased the time, distance and speed, and now I've increased the intervals and usually go twice or more. It helps to have a pup who motivates me to get out in the morning and take him on the adventure.
When I started, I used the Wii fit a lot. I have a 1/2 hour routine I do on it. I still use it once in a while, and I got some more games for it, like Zumba, which is sort of fun once in a while. Once I got a bit fitter, I started using my elliptical machine. I like having it at home and it has a holder for a magazine or laptop, so I watch episodes of The Biggest Loser and it keeps me going. I am up to 45 minutes now.
I used to wait until later in the day to do the elliptical, but now I shoot for the morning and get it over with. I like this better, because it's not weighing on my mind all day and I feel good about myself that I did it already. It's also opening the door to trying other things later in the day, like stretching or maybe someday strength training.
It was really hard to get started, and I'm not going to say I really like it, but I tolerate it and I really like the results and the way I feel.
There has been a lot of great advice on this thread. I'm sure you'll come up with something that will work for you!0 -
Responded to your thread in General Weightloss and Nutrition, but see you have it here too, so here's my response from the other thread:
All I can suggest is find something you LIKE.
I'm the same way, I'll work out for a while, get bored and stop. About 12 years ago I decided I wanted to learn how to run. Planned to walk and jog everyday after work because it sounded like something good to do to start, went by a park on my way home... lasted a month before I got bored, and it wasn't with the workout, it was with the park. Stopped working out all together.
Ten years ago saw a class called Bellydance Bootycamp... said what the heck... took the classes til my schedule changed and couldn't go anymore, talked to the instructor, she said that if I really wanted to learn, I should go to this studio (she gave me the name of the studio where she learned) fastforward 10 years, I dance professionally now and still love it.
Tried a gym, loved the classes til they got too packed, quit going....
About 4 years ago I tried a kickboxing class, loved it, had to quit due to injuring my ankle (could no longer do impact kickboxing)... gave in a year ago joined a gym... discovered Les Mills Combat (no physical impact).... still going strong after a year, even followed the instructor to a new gym.
So again, try out a bunch of things, look for unusually named classes that make you go "Hmmm that sounds interest," if you like to walk/jog/run, pick out a bunch of places that you can do that, it may not be because you're bored with the activity, but that you need a change of scenery. I'm back to walking/jogging two to three days a week, but now I have two places I go to (one is out of my way) that way it keeps it interesting.
Good luck!0 -
working out can suck at times. my motivation: i tell myself to stop being lazy, stop finding excusses and just get off my butt and go
either workout dvds, hiking, or running or going on a walk. have to be in the mood but i have my 4 chooses and go from there.
also what motivates me is food and wine
the better i eat in the day and the more i work out i get to treat myself with the food or wine that i love.
i know it sounds funny but it works0 -
Try a few things until you find something you enjoy ... for me its running, but I've also found that I love CrossFit, yoga, spinning and boxing.0
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I used to hate working out aswell. But I knew that the fastest way and for me to look the best I could (end results) that would involve weight training along with cardio. Not going to lie at first I worked out at home weather it be a video, biking or walking. I was embarassed to go to the gym (sad I know) now 8 months later I work out 6 days a week at the gym. I get up at 4:30 am because then I don't have anytime to make up exuses not to go. I find it alot harder to find motiation to go if I don't do it first thing in the morning. It also sets my mind and attitude in the right direction of eating healthy the rest of the day (okay most days it does) haha. But like a lot of people said, find something that you enjoy. For me I hate cardio, it is so boring so when I am really dreading doing it I do 10 minutes cardio, weights, 10 min cardio, weights and the 20 minutes cardio. After you do something for awhile, make sure you change it up. Don't let your body get used to the same old thing. Now I can honestly say, I love working out, I miss it when I don't go for a day. But those feelings did not happen over night. haha Good luck girl0
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I've always been an active person - my parents had me involved in different activities: ballet, gymnastics, swimming .... I played sports as a kid. I've never liked being sedentary. And I always took being skinny for granted. Then about 10 years ago I went swimsuit shopping - saw the "naked truth" in a threeway mirror in the dressing room - and put the bathing suits down and bought a pair of running shoes instead. I hated running at first - and then hate turned to love. And I think being active leads to being more active .... about 4 years ago I decided I wanted to do more than just run, so I joined the gym, signed up for a boot camp class. Now I'm at the gym 3 or 4 days a week lifting weights, doing spin, yoga. I like feeling strong and in shape. I like the changes I've seen in my body over the years.0
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I have always hated working out. I was a competitive athlete from the age of 8 so I never had to worry about "workouts," I was always active. But things have changed.
Like everyone else, it's about discovering what you like. I decided to try yoga to help with my anxiety and I picked a studio based on the fact it was on the same road I live on. Turns out it was Bikram in 110F. For someone who has always hated sweating, not a good idea. But I had paid for 50 classes and it turns out I loved it.
I don't like doing workout videos at all but I continue to try them. The only one I've stuck with is Jillian Michael's 6 week 6 pack.
Other than that it's about finding ways to sneak in exercise. I play Just Dance on the Wii with my kids for an hour. Whenever I walk somewhere I go the "long way." The mall is right across the street from me but I walk around the street to the other side and enter there. My husband and I are going to start going to the roller skating rink. Doing all these things and staying active mean when I throw in an actual workout, I don't feel so bored. If I went to the gym every day, I'd be bored very quick.0 -
You just be safe in that park ok? I just got a little worried when you said on the way home & trails! Sorry mother Henning-ing you!!!
I think some people get to love exercise & some (me) do it , especially since I have more time now. But it's been since 12/30 , do I like it any better , sorry , not so much... But I like the results so I'm sucking it up! That's the fun in all the MFP friends , encouragement from all kinds of folks!!!!! & no haters allowed !!!! Have a great day!!!0 -
I wasn't a fan of exercise before either but it's kind of my getaway during the day now. I bring my music and tune everything else in the world out for 45 minutes and just make it me time. The key is finding things you like to do though, I got all excited about the 30DS when I first started MFP and realized two weeks in that I hated doing the same exact thing for 10 straight days and ended up dreading it.
Just try some things out and you'll learn soon enough what your likes/dislikes are. Good luck! 0 -
The desire to no longer be an out of shape fat-*kitten* took first priority in my life. I did what i had to do. Try a variety of things. You will probably find something you are excited about doing and improving in.0
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I got started working out at a competition. Supposedly, whoever "won" (not just weight loss, overall health) after 8 weeks won $500. Really though, you had to pay $500 to do it - so you were just getting your money back.
That motivated me to win - I didn't want to lose that money. So those 8 weeks, man, I worked my butt off. After that, I was in the habit of working out so I just kept going.0 -
For me, the difficult part is getting there. I go right after work; I change at the gym and won't allow myself to go home first. Maybe you can change at work and just stop at the park and do your walking. I find once I'm there and really into my workout, I don't want to stop. Every once in a while, I just can't get into it or I don't seem to find the energy even once I'm going; when that happens, I do a light workout and go home, and figure it's probably my body telling me I need some rest.0
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Bump0
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Find a workout that you will have fun with...I started out with zumba and now am addicted to turbofire...These two workouts have amazing quick results and makes me feel all happy and pumped up in the end...Just find something you enjoy and you'l find working out fun 0
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I don't work out. If I had to motivate myself to go to the gym or something, I'd never move at all. I don't believe in exercise for its own sake, bores me to tears.
That said, I burn several thousand calories a week leading an active, outdoor lifestyle. Having an outdoorsy job helps, but I walk over 10km per day and bike over 125km per month (doing errands, meeting friends, etc.) Can you commute to work on a bike? Do your shopping on foot? As long as there's a safe place to ride, don't be daunted by distances - I can get to work 20km away in under an hour.
Also, find a fun activity and a group to do it in, and you'll be that much more motivated - and accountable! I have a horse on loan and I'm out there 3-4 days per week either riding or doing ground work, and I do HEMA (historic European martial arts) every week, which is a great workout! Hiking is much more enjoyable in groups, too - we go out approximately once a month for a 20-60 km hike.0 -
1. Look at before and after photos in weightloss.
2. Buy new gym clothes. Get rid of the mind set that you'll buy new when you're smaller- look cute now. It will motivate you to go vs. feeling sluggish in old and big work out clothes.
3. Walk the mall at lunch. Looking around at the stores and being a temperature controlled climate helps.
4. Carry shoes, socks, shirt, sports bra, and pants in a bag. You never know when the mood to be active will strike and you'll be prepared.
5. Work out before you go home. If you go home first, you'll find other things to do and a million excuses to get back out again.
7. If you prefer the mornings, lay your clothes out the night before so you don't lose time.
8. Walking is excellent and under rated exercise. If you have dogs, take them with you. Seeing something slobber, turn in circles, and prance about walking almost makes me excited about it too.
9. If you're a woman, carry tampons in your car or emergency work out bag so that not having one is an excuse to not work out.
10. Think of how far you've come and how sexy you'll look come summer compared to last year.
Also, save this post in your favorites to read when you don't feel like workin; out
You can do this!0 -
The hardest part is just getting up and going to the gym. Once you get there, just get it done. After a couple weeks of working out a lot, I actually want to go. But if you don't have a gym, do workout videos on youtube or dvds! I find it hard to make myself work out when the couch is right behind me looking inviting though, so I like the gym.0
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Jillian Michaels & Davina McCall's DVDs were what I started with, however running was what made me keep it up. Endorphins are the best.
You don't NEED to exercise to lose weight but I promise your body looks a hell of a lot better if you do.0
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