Does exercise ever get fun?

If you do something you want to do, exercise is usually fun. I love lifting - therefore I lift. I love swimming - therefore I swim, etc. I hate running and elliptical machines so I don't do those.

Rule #1 - Find something you enjoy. You don't have to be excited about it, but find something that you won't quit.

Exercise became an addiction for me, but first I had to find something I loved. I tried zumba and a few other things and wasn't impressed so I kept trying different things until I came to running and I fell in love. From there, I couldn't stop! Then I started on strength and fell in love with that too. It's important you try different things until you find something you really enjoy. From there its much easier to enjoy any exercise just because you are doing it.

Btw Rebecca is a great name (its mine too) ;-)

I agree with the others... you have to find something you love.

I hate running, I tried but I really hated it so I switched to circuit training, dance, aerobics and fast walks.

Now I love it and it is now a passion and getting a bit easier since i'm in better shape.

Exercise is fun when it has a purpose and you enjoy training for that purpose. I couldn't imagine droning away endlessly on some elliptical or doing some dvd workout...but I love lifting weight, so I hit up the weight room 3x weekly...I love hitting the road or trail on my bike...that is my primary cardio...I enjoy running and swimming, so I do those as well.

In summary...you need to find something you enjoy doing. I'd also advise finding some other purpose for exercise beyond the fact that you just feel that you have to do it or for weight loss, etc. Really, exercise simply for the sake of exercise usually doesn't last too long.

As others have said, you need to find something you like! There was an article recently in the huffington post about finding the right exercise for your personality...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/21/fitness-personality_n_4110442.html


Edited to add: Someone else mentioned finding an exercise with a "purpose" other than weight loss. This was actually key for me. When I first joined a gym years ago, it was purely for weight loss. I went every single day, lost about 20 pounds, got bored, stopped going, put on 40 pounds. (This was before MFP and I wasn't counting calories.) A few years ago, I started getting terrible anxiety. I noticed that on days when I exercised, my anxiety wasn't as bad. THAT is what started my love of exercise - I hated feeling anxious, and it helped. So I continued. Weight loss was added plus. Eventually I discovered that I love spin classes and group weight lifting classes. So I do those. There's no way I would get out of bed at 5am if I didn't love doing them. So...try lots of different activities until you find something that makes you want to get out of bed at 5am!! (Or something along those lines!)

a week....
well you probably havent seen much in the way of results yet.

reason i say that is because once i started seeing and feeling the difference, the fun meter started rising...
and now im just in love with it and my fun meter is full engorged!!

I have been working out for a week now- and I'm doing it but not liking it. I know I need to do it for my health and for weigh loss- but my question to everyone is:

Did you ever start liking exercise?
How long before it got "easier"?
What keeps you going back to the gym for more?

Nope, I hate it
It never gets easier, because I try and keep the intensity going
I'm very goal oriented and I know that exercise will help me meet certain health & fitness goals

I have fun improving. I don't especially enjoy running, but when I see my distance and pace improve it excites me to do more. In that sense, I find that it gets more fun and I see what more I can accomplish.

Did you ever start liking exercise?

Yes, when I found an exercise I enjoyed. I dislike running, love walking. Hate the elliptical but I'm addicted to the rower. I particularly like outdoor exercise with no gym, cycling is my number one passion but it needs to be outdoors. I also vary my exercise routines. Weights are my current passion.

How long before it got "easier"?

It shouldn't get easier, you get faster and stronger.

What keeps you going back to the gym for more?

Results. I can see the difference in my times on the rower. I feel stronger and look more defined in the mirror from doing weights.

I could not stand to exercise.. now I do a different class 4 days a week. It keeps me accountable, met some people, and keep up my intensity because the attitude in the classes are fantastic.. cardio dance Mon, Zumba Tues, Insanity Wed, Turbo kick Thurs.... but I agree.. you have to find something to fit your personality. I hated the mundane treadmill and eliptical.. an hour seemed like forever... in class.. it goes by so fast!

I think it's already been said, but find something that you like to do, or get some good tunes to listen to. Helps to pass the time! I love to walk outdoors so when the weather has been nicer it has been great, but now it is getting colder and while I don't mind the machines at the gym, they can get a bit monotonous. I sometimes try to look at it as a count down instead of how long I have been on the machine. I look forward to the halfway point, five minutes left, and so on! I also remember why it is that I am going through all of this. Hope it helps!

I don't know that it gets "fun". I mean, not like a day at the beach fun.

But, it will get easier and you will start to find the non weight related effects fun. It's hell trying to get myself to do it sometimes, but knowing how I'll feel afterwards is enough of a reason for me.

Did you ever start liking exercise?
How long before it got "easier"?
What keeps you going back to the gym for more?

I only "like" exercise when it's an exercise I actually enjoy. For example, like others have said, I'm not a runner. I hate running, but I absolutely love TurboKick and Kickboxing classes. When those aren't available I try changing it up, going to yoga or zumba. If I must, I stay on the elliptical for 30 to 60 minutes.

It gets easier after you consistently do the workouts, but it shouldn't be "easy." As it feels like you're not really breaking a sweat, try upping the intensity.

RESULTS are definitely a big part of my returning to the gym every other day. Not just on the scale, but the way my clothes are fitting too. I think once you see progress, you're going to keep pushing for more progress!

I love going to the gym now. I plan around it to make sure I get to my fav classes. Body Combat and Step are my favs (not coordinated enough for Zumba). And absolutely LOVE yoga. I tolerate treadmills and elipticals but would prefer to be outside. I have to have a movie on to make the time pass on machines.

I have been exercising since the end of June... So, about 4 months or so I believe. I have just started liking it within the past month. I started out walking, then I found love for Zumba, then I found love for running. Still to this day I HATE strength training... I don't look forward to it at all. I've tried to make it fun but haven't found the way for me yet.

You will get there! Just keep pushing.

Oh, and I haven't stepped foot in a gym in 8 years. I work out from home!