I hate to exercise, does it get better the more you lose?

Dynamis600
Dynamis600 Posts: 743 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi, I am finding that it's a struggle mentally to go exercise. I make myself do it and admittedly feel better afterwards, but when I think about exercising I end up having this fight inside my head to go do it until finally it's my exercise day and I am getting towards the end of the day and just go do it.
Does it get better the more you lose? I have over 100lbs to lose and I have plantar fascitis so can't walk, so I am left with the stationary bike which is not particularly inspiring at the moment. So have you lost a lot and have you enjoyed exercise more as you have lost?
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Replies

  • fietsvrouw
    fietsvrouw Posts: 50 Member
    Mummoid, exercise covers such a wide array of activities. I find that getting on a stationary bike and hitting a target time or calorie burn is like being poked in the eye with a pointy stick repeatedly while I watch a clock. Do you cycle outside at all? If you can find a good bike path not too far from home that gets you out in nature, it is a world of difference - for me the difference between half a grumbling hour and two hours of fun. Physically it is the same exercise, but the experiences could not be further apart.

    Exercising does get more fin as you get fitter. I started my exercise routine 5 weeks ago with half hour walks where it felt like clocking time and am now looking forward to my hikes and bike rides. In my past experience, the more it feels as though your body is working with you, the more enjoyable the exercise. You start to enjoy feeling how much you have progressed, feeling how string you are, and feeling that after-exercise high when you have worked out hard. Hang in there! I know you have limitations right now, but hopefully the plantar fascitis will clear up and you will start to have more options than a stationary bike.
  • Ironman689
    Ironman689 Posts: 7 Member
    Exercise only gets better when you find a workout that you enjoy. Don't limit yourself to only going to the gym.
  • tonytoo
    tonytoo Posts: 307
    I also find it becomes strangely addictive, if you find one you can enjoy.
  • careydesignstudio
    careydesignstudio Posts: 16 Member
    Get a trainer.
  • bandbabesmile
    bandbabesmile Posts: 1
    It definitely gets better when you're doing something you enjoy, in a setting where you feel comfortable.
    I cannot stand running indoors, or in broad daylight. Because I feel like people are judging me, even if they're not. So I run at night :) And it DOES get easier the more you lose; but mostly because the results you see are spurring you on and your body is getting used to the intensity.
  • DawnieB1977
    DawnieB1977 Posts: 4,248 Member
    I find it gets better the more you vary it. I do a huge variety of classes - spinning, boxercise, stability ball, aerobics, Zumba, LBT etc - as well as using the gym. Plus I go for walks with my kids. I'd get bored doing the same thing every day.
  • CurvaciousBeautyToBe
    CurvaciousBeautyToBe Posts: 100 Member
    I had plantar fascitis, and it's has gotten a lot better since I have lost the extra weight. I would also suggest going and getting properly fitted for a pair of good quality running shoes. :)
  • mamosh81
    mamosh81 Posts: 409 Member
    yeah like the others said find something you enjoy and then it will get better i always loved the elliptical so i got me a good high quality one, i enjoy walking my dogs (my Inlaws dogs atm) so i picked that back up and now i discovered i love hiking and exploring the mountains so i take the dogs for hikes now at least once or twice a week, i also do zumba once a week at least. So many things you can do how about getting on a bike outside and explore the area maybe you like that better then going inside.
  • miche_smash
    miche_smash Posts: 131 Member
    I would say that once you find something that you enjoy and gets you excited, then it gets easier. I found that I enjoy running and strength training, so I look forward to getting faster or running further, and lifting heavier weights. And yes, at first I felt like falling over after jogging a mile but now I can bust out a 5k without being out of breath at the end.
    Sure, you'll still have days where you want to skip it but that's when you remember how disappointed you'll be in yourself if you don't do it, and how proud of yourself you'll be when you JUST DO IT :)
  • Ivyzmama
    Ivyzmama Posts: 108 Member
    I've had plantar fascitis for over a year so I know what you mean. Here's what you can still do: Pilates (floor/mat and the machines - for the machines you need to sign up at a gym or center); most yoga (downward dog is really good for your heel - but don't overdo it, some classes will have you overdo it); Spinning, swimming, maybe water aerobics, and the ultimate of most people on here - weight lifting! I joined a gym last year mostly to cure my plantar fascitis because I knew that taking weight off would help and I needed a variety of types of exercise to avoid injuring myself (the way I caused the plantar fascitis by exercising one way - walking). Do you just have an exercise bike or a Spin bike? You can get used spin bikes on Craigslist, etc - I just bought myself a fancy used one for $500, it's exactly like the ones at my gym and I think it was totally worth it. Put your bike in front of your TV and also get yourself an MP3 player and make yourself a "workout" list of music to listen to when you ride. You can also by videos of bike tours so that you can watch people cycling through the mountains, etc. while you ride along on your bike to give yourself some beautiful scenery. FInally, schedule your exercise into your calendar and try to show up for it like you would for a dentist apt. It's for your health, just like a dentist or doctor's apt, right?
    I know, it's still exercise; we all gotta do it, whether we get our kicks that way or not.
  • Lupercalia
    Lupercalia Posts: 1,857 Member
    Find something enjoyable, definitely! There are far too many ways of exercising for it to be a chore! I absolutely can not stand any sort of cardio machine workout, for instance...but I love to lift weights. I love to train with kettlebells, too. I also love walking and riding my bike around town, going for a hike, etc.

    As far as your general physical condition goes, YES exercise gets more enjoyable as you become more fit and start feeling better.
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  • mikey1976
    mikey1976 Posts: 1,005 Member
    since you have this plantar fascitis so you can't walk how about water work outs from swimming to water arobices to water zumba thee all kinds of different programes
  • redraidergirl2009
    redraidergirl2009 Posts: 2,560 Member
    I had pf and lost weight during it. I did floor pilates and abs and arm weights. I also did the stationary bike. I cut my calories. It is possible. Once you recover start light with walking. I healed and now I can run even with no issue and enjoy it. I listen to music, that helps.
  • toutmonpossible
    toutmonpossible Posts: 1,580 Member
    Try to find something that you enjoy that you will do regularly. But no, not everyone gets bitten by the exercising bug. I've never had to exercise for weight loss but I certainly recognize all the benefits (strength, endurance, flexibility, mental calm). Yet I still find myself restarting a few times a year. Although i consider myself sedentary, I'm not inactive: I walk when most people would take the elevator, take the stairs when others use the escalator, etc., but it's not regular exercise.

    In addition, make it as fun as possible. I must have music and devices such as a heart rate monitor and interval timer make it seem more game-like, while providing information.
  • tinytinam
    tinytinam Posts: 57 Member
    Yes, it does get easier. First of all though, you have to work on the plantar fasciitis. I had it and it is impossible to exercise with it. Go onto Brent Abel's website (he is a tennis pro and instructor and had it himself). I had it for a year until I downloaded his programme and followed it exactly. It is a really inexpensive programme I promise you! Now I think because I had it for so long, that it took nearly a month before I had a major improvement, but once it started improving, it kept on improving until it was completely gone. There are no pills, potions, or gimmicks with this simple stretching programme, but dont miss out any of the steps and you will be amazed at the difference.

    I didn't have as much to lose as you, but I am only allowed to swim or walk, so it has taken time and ups and downs to get me near my goal weight. You just feel so much better when you are fitter, and it is much more enjoyable when you see the strides (literally) that you are making. What about pilates? a lot of those exercises can be adapted and if you find the right instructor, you will be able to go at your own pace,

    I actually enjoy getting out and walking every day now and that is huge for me! Feel free to ad me for support and encouragement.
  • lithezebra
    lithezebra Posts: 3,670 Member
    Yes! Losing weight will help your foot problem, and your feet will heal with time, and you'll be able to do things that are more fun than a stationary bike. In the mean time, what you are doing is so positive and so important for your health that you need to stick with it, one way or another. New music keeps me going on boring cardio machines better than listening to the same things again and again. Even if you're just peddling and watching a movie, right now, that's probably enough!

    Remember, it's going to get better. You are healing.
  • tennileb
    tennileb Posts: 265 Member
    Hike! even small hikes are great I had / have Plantar Fascitis. I can hike as long as I have a 3/4 shank hiking boot, my foot is locked and loaded and I can go for hours.

    see a massage therapist to help with the P.F.

    Exercise is like diet, when you think about it too much it sucks, but when you eventually learn to do activities that you love and also burn extra calorie it feels more natural.
  • 19Lindsay76
    19Lindsay76 Posts: 135
    Looking forward to your workouts is all about your frame of mind, not on the size of your body. All you really need is to find that workout that you really enjoy. If it is something you like you will want to do it each day, and after awhile it will become addictive. I know once I get going, I find I really don't wanna stop when I am all done lol. I saw someone say something here about exercise coming in all different activities...so true...just keep looking for that activity u love!! :happy:
  • Ronda73
    Ronda73 Posts: 52 Member
    I had Plantar Fascitis and tendonitis in both elbows. But I found the more I did the better they got. Do your stretches with your feet, get fitted for proper shoes or inserts, and get to walking. You'll be surprised what proper fitting shoes can do.
    I wasn't a fan on exercise but now I get antsy on a rest day and still find myself doing little things like squats while I wait for my coffee to brew or using hand weights while watching tv. I think it becomes easier and fun when you start to see the results.
  • Mlkmaid
    Mlkmaid Posts: 356 Member
    Yes it gets easier but you have to find a form of exercise that you enjoy, that challenges you, and that you can stick to long-term. For me it was yoga. And I had tried - at various time throughout my life - walking, karate, swimming, pilates, dancing, weight lifting, aerobics, etc., etc. Yoga made me fall in love with movement and then about three years ago I started running. Yoga is something you can do at any time in your life and at any size. And there's a man in one of my classes who has PF and he says it helps.
  • rachelwarner32
    rachelwarner32 Posts: 96 Member
    I've always hated to exercise. Yes it gets better when you can see what a difference it makes in your physique. Even Jillian Michaels hates to work out but she does it. Just keep doing it!
  • Tflowers34907
    Tflowers34907 Posts: 51 Member
    For me, exercise is not fun. However, I do find it rewarding when I see the changes in my body. The only exercise I have remotely enjoys is Zumba. The rest of it is just boring and tiresome. Lol, 30 lbs lighter, I am okay with that. I try not to focus as much on the exercise as I do on the results I am trying to get.
  • amandaj1966
    amandaj1966 Posts: 342 Member
    I too have Plantar Fascitis so know how painful it can be to walk, some mornings it can take me 10 minutes to be able to put my heal on the floor but I have walked nearly 25 miles over the last 2 days. I am determined that my foot pain will not stop me. I wear a padded wedge in my shoe and just get moving. The strange thing is the further I walk the less the pain.

    I do jump on my exercise bike if my foot is so painful but I do find that boring, I also lift weights which helps.

    I do an aerobic class 3 times a week, been going for over 10 years and I love it. You need to find something that you enjoy and you will look forward to it. However there probably will be times when you think, " I can't be bothered, I just want to chill". But believe me once you enjoy something you will make yourself do it and will feel so much better for it.

    Good luck.

    Ps I think there should be a group on here for people with Plantar Fascitis, there seems to be so many of us.
  • NeverGivesUp
    NeverGivesUp Posts: 960 Member
    put it into your calendar like going to work or going shopping. Then you know it happens every day. I loooove to exercise now and I used to be a couch potato. lol
  • NeverGivesUp
    NeverGivesUp Posts: 960 Member
    I also have plantars fasciitis. I don't let that stop me because as long as I exercise I can't tell myself that I am lazy. It builds self confidence and strong is sexy.
  • alladream
    alladream Posts: 261 Member
    I find that 'exercise' seems like work, whereas me dancing around in place when I am on my computer at home (I put it up on a box and stand in front of it) gives me some energy plus burns calories. It may not do miracles, but it gets the body waving around somewhat, and the circulation and all, and in general it seems like just part of life, and fun, as opposed to something I 'have' to get dressed up and go somewhere else to do--good luck finding what makes you happy and doing it!
  • Colbyandsage
    Colbyandsage Posts: 751 Member
    I also find it becomes strangely addictive, if you find one you can enjoy.

    ^this!
  • alladream
    alladream Posts: 261 Member
    And if standing feels too hard on the feet, there are tons of good chair dancing tapes and many people benefit from sitting down and dancing or moving in the chair.
  • vdobbs28
    vdobbs28 Posts: 72 Member
    I used to be the same way, I found that if I do a different exercise everyday that it helps me not to get bored with it and not to dread it!! It has worked for 2 weeks so far. I do something different everyday and I have have been exercising for 17 days in a row now. :) I haven't got bored so far and I haven't hated it. :) I hope that this helps you.

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