Working out still feels like a chore.

KimHam17
KimHam17 Posts: 18 Member
in Motivation and Support
I’m “trying" to do the 30DS. I did the first 3 days and then I just stopped. It feels like so much effort to do. But I need to do it cos I just really need to lose inches and build up muscle, so I can fit into a bodycon dress and be happy with the way it looks by my 21st birthday in October.

I just keep putting it off. Like I've got my yoga mat and weights sitting on the floor permanently ready to do it but I just don't want to.

How do I make working out more fun?

Replies

  • LoveHummingbirds
    LoveHummingbirds Posts: 17
    Working out always felt like a chore until I found something that I love. I really like group fitness classes and love Zumba! It's so much fun and doesn't feel like a workout to me.
  • Cal28
    Cal28 Posts: 514 Member
    Pick something you enjoy (I prefer classes, there's a good vibe and no escape without looking bad) or reward yourself after - so plan your workout before a programme you enjoy or before you go out with the girls etc...
  • x311Tifa
    x311Tifa Posts: 357 Member
    Find something that doesn't feel like work. Also, keep in mind not everyone enjoys working out. Most of the time I have to ask one of my friends to b*tch me out into going to the gym (totally did that today). It's not always fun, you won't always want to do it, but something I am learning is that you won't reach any goals being a coach potato. Hence why I gained 60lbs working in fast food. My *kitten* never moved, but my waist sure did! Now I'm forcing myself to get to where I was and beyond.

    Also, for me, whenever I am playing sports with friends, I feel like I could go forever. It no longer feels like exercise. Find that thing that makes you go "huh, that was fun!" (that or, sadly, suck it up and trudge to the gym or through the video).
  • Crochetluvr
    Crochetluvr Posts: 3,328 Member
    Summer is my favorite time because I workout in the pool. Its fun and you don't sweat. :)
  • operation_cute
    operation_cute Posts: 588 Member
    Find something you enjoy more :) I tried the 30 day shred made it 2 days and didn't like it... so I zumba, play volley ball, lift, swim... none of those feel like a chore to me... 30 day shred isn't required to look great so It may just not be your thing :)
  • kr3851
    kr3851 Posts: 994 Member
    Don't do 30DS if you don't enjoy it. Put on some music and dance stupidly around the room. Mow the lawn. Go swimming. Find something that you enjoy, instead of doing what everyone else is doing.

    My boyfriend and I had a bike race the other night, because we could. It was fun!
  • KeepCalmNGetyaSweatOn
    KeepCalmNGetyaSweatOn Posts: 361 Member
    Do you like dancing? Try Zumba or a dance DVD. Swimming is a good way to get in a workout. If you have a friend who likes to workout have them do circuit training with you. I hate feeling that way about exercise! :yawn:
  • gerard54
    gerard54 Posts: 1,107 Member
    I never want to go to the gym but it's better than being stuck where I'm at...
  • laserturkey
    laserturkey Posts: 1,680 Member
    I think it becomes more fun when you notice that things are easier for you or when you notice the changes in how you look and feel. For some people, it never really becomes "fun" but other things in life are more fun because of the improved fitness. To start with, you just have to make a conscious choice to make that investment of time and energy in yourself, and for some people, it remains that way. Brushing your teeth isn't fun, either, but we do it because of the many health benefits we derive from it.
  • BlackBeltInTraining
    BlackBeltInTraining Posts: 30 Member
    Approach working out with a smile, it can certainly be fun! Grab some friends and things can end up being awesome. I'm a marital arts instructor, so I'm quite biased, but I do recommend perhaps getting involved in a workout class or club. Martial arts is only one example of this, perhaps a running club, or even just an early bird workout class would be a good idea. With friends and others that have similar goals as you, who are willing to motivate you, certainly makes things much, much better. Hang in there and perhaps try changing things up, working out should never be a chore, but instead something fun that you are often willing to engage in. :)
  • Nicolee_2014
    Nicolee_2014 Posts: 1,572 Member
    Find something you like. Work out with a friend.
  • hedgiie
    hedgiie Posts: 1,226 Member
    that's normal
  • LaurenAOK
    LaurenAOK Posts: 2,475 Member
    Don't stop 30DS! I know it sounds crazy, but it gets better after day 4. That's what everyone said when I did it and I didn't believe it, but it turned out to be true. Day 4 is like the magical day lol.

    Anyway, I understand what you mean. A lot of people say that once they start exercising they just absolutely love it and can't imagine life without it. That has never happened for me, and I've been working out for a solid year now. However, I have found exercise that I at least find bearable and somewhat satisfying. For example, I really enjoy lifting weights because I can actually SEE the results when I'm able to increase the amount I lift, or when I notice some more muscle definition in my body. I also enjoy classes like Zumba or Kickboxing because it doesn't really feel like a workout.

    Just try a bunch of different stuff and see what works for you. There's dancing (even dance video games you can do at home!), boxing, swimming, biking, lifting weights, calisthenics, sports, power walking, etc etc. Exercise doesn't have to mean going running for miles or doing Jillian Michaels DVDs :)
  • Byrdsong1920
    Byrdsong1920 Posts: 336 Member
    Find things u like to do....it won't feel like work!

    I love dancing! After visiting Puerto Rico, I decided to take up Salsa! Great deals on groupon.com and livingsocial.com
    I wore my heart rate monitor one night dancing and burned 800 cals in 3hrs! You know there is no such thing as a slow salsa song! Lol! checkout my Youtube video several months ago, I'm much better now!

    http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?feature=youtube_gdata_player&v=MATZ2qgTT-k&desktop_uri=/watch?v=MATZ2qgTT-k&feature=youtube_gdata_player

    Also, group fitness classes at my gym, like Zumba, Insanity and even water aerobic is fun and good to add variety to keep it fresh, fun and your wont know whats going on and u will have to drop and tone!

    Have fun!

    Shannon, Atlanta
  • sarah5893
    sarah5893 Posts: 106 Member
    I agree, try some classes, especially zumba!!
  • SoViLicious
    SoViLicious Posts: 2,633 Member
    You don't want it bad enough. Suck it up and do it.
  • jaedwa1
    jaedwa1 Posts: 114 Member
    For motivation, I focus on how I'm going to feel when the workout is done. Sometimes I drag my feet getting to the gym...sometimes I even want to cry when I see what the workout is going to entail. But when it is over, I FEEL FANTASTIC! Never fails.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    i'm not a work out indoors kind of person.

    i'd rather ride my bike 30 miles then sit on a stationary bike for 30 minutes. 1 mile on the treadmill is all i can do before i stop; but i can do 13 miles outdoors.

    strength training or yoga is the only thing i can do indoors. and yes, i mean real strength training, not jillian micheals dvds. and yes, i've done jillian micheals dvds.
  • kcoftx
    kcoftx Posts: 765 Member
    Swimming (go to a water park)
    Zip lining
    Skating or Rollerblading
    Hiking (while camping is even better)
    River Tubing
    Walking (explore a new town or go to an amusement park)
    Jumping on a Trampoline
    Lazer Tag or Paint Ball (but don't spend your time hiding)
    Racketball
    Join a fitness challenge
    Buy a motivating pedometer (fitbit, striiv, etc)
  • morpheousneo
    morpheousneo Posts: 62 Member
    Find something that doesn't feel like work. Also, keep in mind not everyone enjoys working out. Most of the time I have to ask one of my friends to b*tch me out into going to the gym (totally did that today). It's not always fun, you won't always want to do it, but something I am learning is that you won't reach any goals being a coach potato. Hence why I gained 60lbs working in fast food. My *kitten* never moved, but my waist sure did! Now I'm forcing myself to get to where I was and beyond.

    Also, for me, whenever I am playing sports with friends, I feel like I could go forever. It no longer feels like exercise. Find that thing that makes you go "huh, that was fun!" (that or, sadly, suck it up and trudge to the gym or through the video).

    ^^^ Yep, this is me. The only workouts that do not feel like a chore to me are walking and dancing. Weights are a little better actually. Tae-bo I do 3 times per week and it is torture to me but my body thanks me in the end. I just psyche myself up or just grit my teeth, zone out and get it over with.
  • bird922
    bird922 Posts: 28 Member
    Yup, totally understand how you feel. I am doing the 30DS too and am on day 4 today. I have switched between level 1 and 2 so I don't have to hear Jillian say the exact same thing over and over again. However, I do have to force myself but once I do it goes really quick and at the end of the half hour I feel fantastic. I swear my arm muscles are already firmer/bigger! This type of workout works for me, I need some strength and cardio mix to be successful. Also, it is a 30 day program, just make it a challenge to see if you can do it then move on. That's what I'm trying to do. :) Good luck and just do it.
  • luckynky
    luckynky Posts: 123 Member
    I hear ya. I hate exercising. But I LOVE Zumba! I also love yoga, but right now I want to drop weight and Zumba burns a lot more calories. No matter what everyone says is "the" best workout, DO WHAT YOU LOVE. Otherwise, you will just burnout (as you are finding out) and then what good is that workout if you're not enjoying it and doing it. I'm hoping to get to the point where I like strength training, but I never have liked it in the past and I'm just trying to keep an open mind at this point. If you're interested in Zumba, go to their website and do a search. There most likely will be a class really close to you. Also, you can check out videos online, or check out a DVD from your library before you commit. Good luck.
  • Myhaloslipped
    Myhaloslipped Posts: 4,317 Member
    I have found that it is fun to put on 80's music or whatever music gets you amped and just do crazy aerobic dancing. I start working up a sweat within 8 minutes and burn alot of calories. The zumba fitness dvds are fun too. I personally find yoga to be extremely boring and not relaxing at all.
  • skinnyinnotime
    skinnyinnotime Posts: 4,078 Member
    The clue is in the word WORKout.

    You're welcome : )
  • honsi
    honsi Posts: 210 Member
    I don't particularly enjoy exercise. I don't use the gym as I find it very boring I do classes instead, In a class the instructor and programme motivates you to work harder and get the best results. I find I can always do more than I think I can. It can be a chore, it can be boring and sometimes its just awful and I dread it. But I want to get fitter and stronger and of course lose some weight too. I am motivated by the results, my body is really changing in the ways I want it to but it takes hard work .
    Try incorporating more exercise into your daily life- walk more, cycle, dance etc try and make exercise part of your routine. It would be good to do it now as you are young and it gets harder as you get older.
  • theepervette
    theepervette Posts: 638 Member
    I felt the same! For month! Until I start boxing and hiking! I wouldn't say they're a passion but I sure as heck enjoy doing them weekly! Daily if I could!
  • I_Will_End_You
    I_Will_End_You Posts: 4,397 Member
    Just suck it up and do it. 30DS is 20 minutes long! That's 23 hours and 40 minutes of your day that you aren't working out. Yeah working out is a chore, it sucks, but adults do stuff things that suck every day (going to work, for one) because we're adults and we do what we have to do.

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