Is running the only way?

aevonvett
aevonvett Posts: 36 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I've been on MFP and exercising for about a year now and have learned a lot about the way my body works. 1. Running is a great way for me to lose weight and tone. 2. I hate running. I've varied my workouts to include classes (Zumba, yoga) and while they are much more enjoyable the results are less satisfying. Are there other things I can do where I can see results, but not necessarily have to run? Or is there something I can do that won't make me dread running?
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Replies

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • TyTy76
    TyTy76 Posts: 1,761 Member
    Spinning
    Swimming
    Rock Climbing
    Biking
    Walking
    Hiking
    Playing Tennis
    Playing golf
    Boxing
    Karate
    Volleyball
    Ping Pong
    Kayaking
    Canoeing
    Skipping
    Dancing
    Walleyball
  • lustergirl
    lustergirl Posts: 123 Member
    I've been on MFP and exercising for about a year now and have learned a lot about the way my body works. 1. Running is a great way for me to lose weight and tone. 2. I hate running. I've varied my workouts to include classes (Zumba, yoga) and while they are much more enjoyable the results are less satisfying. Are there other things I can do where I can see results, but not necessarily have to run? Or is there something I can do that won't make me dread running?

    I understand your frustation. I take zumba and body combat, both twice a week and am not seeing any results. I just started the couch to 5k program to see if that will help me shed these pounds.
  • Mcgrawhaha
    Mcgrawhaha Posts: 1,596 Member
    i hate running too, however... i also see my best results when running. SO I RUN, DAILY...
  • chubaway
    chubaway Posts: 1,645 Member
    Spinning
    Swimming
    Rock Climbing
    Biking
    Walking
    Hiking
    Playing Tennis
    Playing golf
    Boxing
    Karate
    Volleyball
    Ping Pong
    Kayaking
    Canoeing
    Skipping
    Dancing
    Walleyball

    PIng Pong! Ping pong is great exercise, especially when you're not good at it. I sweat like a pig when I play ping pong.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • QueenofScott
    QueenofScott Posts: 305 Member
    I have lost my weight using treadmill walking with an incline as my cardio. I recently read an article stating that walking was just as good for your cardiovascular health, as well.
  • sandy_gee
    sandy_gee Posts: 372 Member
    Spinning
    Swimming
    Rock Climbing
    Biking
    Walking
    Hiking
    Playing Tennis
    Playing golf
    Boxing
    Karate
    Volleyball
    Ping Pong
    Kayaking
    Canoeing
    Skipping
    Dancing
    Walleyball

    Sheesh, baseball hater!! :angry:
  • rassha01
    rassha01 Posts: 534 Member
    Some people say that you can lose weight by just eating at a deficit or eating at a deficit and lifting heavy but I don't know if I can buy in to all of that. :wink:
  • born2drum
    born2drum Posts: 731 Member
    Do you want a toned look or a smaller you? It's either or and no in between.

    I would suggest spinning for cardio or simply walking on an incline 20-30 min a day plus weight lifting or even pilates for crying out loud. One cannot simply just do cardio. Doing so would result in a smaller you but that's it. Unless, you already have a ton of mass underneath all that flab:smokin:
  • debaloo
    debaloo Posts: 129 Member
    You can do lots of stuff for cardio, as others have mentioned but it seems that the most calories burned per hour happen when running :grumble:
  • born2drum
    born2drum Posts: 731 Member
    Some people say that you can lose weight by just eating at a deficit or eating at a deficit and lifting heavy but I don't know if I can buy in to all of that. :wink:

    Some people say you can lose weight by eating at a deficit but who wants to be skinny fat? Not this guy!
  • hello_momo
    hello_momo Posts: 13 Member
    bump. i hate running.
  • born2drum
    born2drum Posts: 731 Member
    You can do lots of stuff for cardio, as others have mentioned but it seems that the most calories burned per hour happen when running :grumble:

    Not to mention the high you get. I love that feeling that I only get from running and from super heavy lifting. PUMP!
  • born2drum
    born2drum Posts: 731 Member
    bump. i hate running.

    cycling and/or walking. Simple.
  • calx77
    calx77 Posts: 31 Member
    Swimming!!
  • jenn26point2
    jenn26point2 Posts: 429 Member
    LIFT HEAVY!!!!! Like REALLY heavy!

    www.stronglifts.com
    www.strstd.com
  • extraordinary_machine
    extraordinary_machine Posts: 3,028 Member
    Life is too short to do stuff you hate.
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    I'm biased, but even with my bias, running isn't the ONLY way.

    But I'll tell you about what I've been doing with my sister. She HATES running. Claims her body isn't made for it. She's been smoking since puberty and even as a kid she hated running so she KNOWS she hates running. I've been training her, and she does her cardio after lifting on the elliptical. So, for a while, I had her doing 1:1 1 minute intervals on the elliptical. After a few months, she started getting bored, trying to avoid the miniscule amount of cardio I have her do. So, I got her on the treadmill doing walk/run intervals for 15 minutes- 1 minute each. Even someone that HATES running can do 60 seconds, right? So after the first day, she left the gym on a total runner's high- felt like a boss! She accomplished something she never thought she could do. So now she's still doing it about every other workout, at 1.5:1 intervals for 15 minutes.

    Give intervals a try. Find your own running pace, it shouldn't be too hard, and by taking the running in small doses you just may get past the hatred.
  • aevonvett
    aevonvett Posts: 36 Member
    I don't like running either. Every now and then I will get all gung ho about jogging, but then I always seem to come up with some excuse why there's no time to do it. How about hiking? By this, I mean real hiking with a backpack on a hiking trail, not the nature walk that many people seem to think is hiking. :) I have burned anywhere from 500-3000 calories on a hike, depending on elevation change, distance, carrying weight, etc. and I love every minute of it. Find something you like doing; that's the bottom line.

    I would LOVE to hike, unfortunately I live in a very large city, so it takes some planning, but where fall is coming up that might be the thing I try next!

    Thanks to everyone for your replies!
  • HeyGoRun
    HeyGoRun Posts: 550 Member
    Jump rope....But still i rather GORUN :happy:
  • maybeazure
    maybeazure Posts: 301 Member
    I've gotten decent results with 30 Day Shred, Ripped in 30, etc. I think they work because they combine some strength training, with some cardio, and you have to work really hard at them (heart rate stays high).

    I like them because each activity is only about 30 seconds, so I don't get bored. I cannot stand to workout on any kind of machine for any length of time, because my mind turns to mush. But if I zone out, or watch TV or something, I'm not sure I work as hard.
  • sunglasses_and_ocean_waves
    sunglasses_and_ocean_waves Posts: 2,757 Member
    I'm pretty active. I love working out and prefer to be challenged. I was a speed walker for many years & tried running this spring. I loved it until I started really really hating it. It started getting hot, and that was gross. Then the sky would open up and rain all over me even though the radar was clear. I destroyed a few pairs of headphones from the rain and sweat. My sweat head bands were great until the sun started beating on my head. Then I felt like they were choking my skull. I've never had problems with my knees, and they were burning (it had something to do with muscles in my butt). I could no longer do the other exercises Ioved because running was wrecking my lower body.

    But my *kitten* looked great. My profile pic was taken after one of my last runs where I was rained all over. Love the indents. <3

    I was going to stop for a week, but then I realized It took a while to be able to do my other workouts again. That was 2 months ago. I'm thrilled to do what I love again, but really nothing really burns the cals like f-running. Maybe plyometrics. I love that. Maybe that's an option for you?
  • whitebalance
    whitebalance Posts: 1,654 Member
    What do you hate about running, and can it be fixed?
    - Is it the impact? If so, there are elliptical machines, stairclimbers, and adaptive motion trainers. And treadmills are a little softer than streets and sidewalks.
    - Is it the monotony? If so, there are parks for visual stimulation, music and/or "books on tape," and apps like "Zombies, Run!" or HIIT apps to mix it up a bit.
    - Is it feet, ankles, knees? If so, get fitted for good running shoes at a specialty store like Road Runner Sports. Makes a huge difference.
    - Is it boobs? If so, I'd suggest investing in a really good sports bra. Champion makes some that work for well me.

    I'm mainly a walker; I lost most of my weight by walking miles and miles every day. I like to climb stairs too (real ones more than the machines in the gym). I always, always hated running. But recently I've found myself just naturally wanting to pick up the pace. I'm feeling the difference right where I need it, I can do it right after work, and it's actually a LOT of fun. All of those problems I mentioned above were obstacles for me. All of them can be addressed. Can your obstacles be addressed too, or do you just need a change of pace? If you need a change of pace, yeah, somebody posted a nice big list already. If you would run, buuuut... maybe think a little bit and see how the "buts" could be handled (giggity?).
  • gmallan
    gmallan Posts: 2,099 Member
    I couldn't run for 4 months because of knee issues and still managed to lose weight and stay fit. I did cycling, boxing and lifting mainly but any exercise that burns calories will do the trick. The main thing is to make sure you're in an overall calorie deficit
  • nursedot
    nursedot Posts: 3
    on days when I just don't want to run, I choose the elliptical. I get a good workout, but running is the best. I find that if I have a goal to work toward or a race to train for, it keeps me motivated. right now I am training for my first 1/2 marathon aug 17.
  • swishandflick
    swishandflick Posts: 42
    I hate all forms of running... but spinning, like others have suggested is a great alternative. I started spinning consistently about 6 months ago and I go about 3x a week.

    Recently, I've gotten bored of it and put myself on a treadmill once a week. The first week my muscles were on fire! But my body had gotten a lot stronger just from spinning so I had a much easier time on the treadmill then I would've 6 months ago. My butt barely moves anymore while jogging and my endurance is pretty decent too :D.

    So if it's an option for you you can try a little bit of both at first? Or start out spinning then switch.
  • fefe0201
    fefe0201 Posts: 49 Member
    I'm obsessed but INSANITY love it love it love it hehe I used to run but I find it sssssssoooooo boring now, I have lost 9lbs in 2 weeks doing insanity and watching my diet, it's hard going, but feels brill when u finish your workout, and I find I'm burning just as many cals as running
  • Athena53
    Athena53 Posts: 717 Member
    I hate running and usually avoid it unless I'm training for a sprint triathlon or I'm traveling someplace and there are no other options. For me, it's all in the heart rate. I discovered after buying an FT7 heart rate monitor that yeah, running is the most bang for the buck- but now that I know what my heart rate should be during a good workout, I make sure that I keep my heart rate at a decent level no matter what I'm doing- bicycling, swimming the elliptical trainer, etc.
  • VixenArgentum
    VixenArgentum Posts: 91 Member
    I get a decent burn out of the elliptical machine. I burn 700+ per hour. And even better, I've got a TV and DVD player in front of the machine, so if I get the urge to watch TV or a show I have on disc...time flies when you're not paying attention to the exercise.

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