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MyFitnessPal Community

Would you exercise if you didn't have to?

kikityme

Ok. For all you gym lovers, good on you, get down with your bad selves.

I. I am NOT a gym lover. I hate the smell. I hate the chatters, I hate the non chatters. I hate the people who slam the weights down and I hate the tv channels. I hate running shoes and my shirt rides up uncomfortably.

I'm also Type 2 Diabetic (newly diagnosed.)

The thing is, since I started restricting my carbs to more reasonable levels, and started a drug regimen, I am dropping a consistent and pleasing amount of weight. I'm losing about 4 pounds a week which my doctor is quite pleased with as my nutrition plan is being followed.

So, if you didn't have to go? Would you? And can you tell me seriously why? I know for me it's mental and I will most likely eventually have to do it as the carb cutting won't be enough and I'm trying to mentally prepare myself.

Replies

FitnessLover001

Oh absolutely. Exercise makes me feel so good afterwards, it releases so much from me. Even when I'm really not feeling like working out, (and trust me, every gym guru at some point in their life has at least one day where they don't really feel like working out) I work out anyway. BUT, I do what I want to do and incorporate the exercise that I actually love. That's what it's all about, doing something that makes you happy. If you like working in the yard, then by all means, plant some flowers and spread some mulch down for the afternoon. If you like to clean, by all means, wash your windows, vacuum that carpet and dust and windex all furniture and mirrors. Or, find a workout video and go by that. Or play in the yard with your kids. Or do more weight lifting than you do cardio. It doesn't really matter how much exercise is involved, it's all about a healthy routine diet!

mumblemagic

Yep, but I don't set foot in the gym. I run, cycle and swim outside (swimming is in a lake) and I absolutely love it. I feel so great when I'm out, I would be miserable if I had to give it up.
It's just a question of finding something you really enjoy, as soon as you do you won't even think of it as exercise, just as something you really enjoy doing. Good luck finding your new hobby :-)

Sounds glorious to me!

Given that most medical advice states that everyone should do some cardio and some strengthening exercise each week*, and that many medical conditions can be prevented or improved with diet and exercise, I would say that everyone has to do exercise.

That said, not everyone sees it that way, and I haven't always seen it that way either and have been known to avoid exercise by finding excuses not to, e.g. my knee injury (in fairness at first this did prevent exercise, but since it improved when I went running I suspect it may have healed quicker if I had done more exercise.)

I hated P.E. in school, but have (almost) always been involved in some sort of sporting activity that I enjoy e.g. swimming, horse riding, trampolining, gymnastics, fencing, karate, krav maga, pilates, yoga, dancing, and most recently running. But these don't count as exercise in my mind, because they are fun, and exercise isn't fun, it's hard and unrewarding, right?

I have never been to the gym. My advice would be to find an activity that "counts" as exercise, and do that, instead of going to the gym if you don't like the gym.

(*amount varies but NHS says at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity and muscle-strengthening activities on 2 or more days a week ).

amusedmonkey

You CAN lose weight without exercise, and I have (and still do when I just don't feel like doing it for weeks or months at a time). I never go to gym because gyms here are lacking and the closest decent one is an hour drive.. that's 2 hours not counting my workout time.

I like to walk in the evening, but only where I really feel like it. It's something I enjoy from time to time. I also like fitness DVDs.

When it comes down to it, just experiment and you may find something that you enjoy. Or don't do it if you hate it that much.. it really is possible to lose without exercise. One note though.. exercise, especially strength training, is great for a type 2 diabetic. It may help you reduce your drug doses.

JoRocka

Hold on a second, no one, unless medically required has to exercise!!?
I don't have to but i am still training twice a day 5 days a week....
I can't see myself not training for more than 2 days rest I take a week.

My point is that the job is getting done right now without it. I'm trying to build myself up to going. But .... blargh .... I walk about 30 minutes a day now (and that 30 is a slow walking the dog walk), but that never seems like "working out" to me.

But thanks for your answers.

Twice a DAY? Seriously, ain't nobody got time for that!

I would- I love training- my dream job would be being a full time professional athlete- I'm a dancer and a lifter- I played soccer in college- ran in HS- I LOVE the competitive nature of beating the bi*ch inside me who says I can't do it. My body is my bi*ch. I make it do what I want because I chose to.

I go crazy without it- I have no idea how people go through their life not experiencing that kind of thing and then people who hate it- I seriously- I do not understand because it's my source of stability. I structure my life around it- I am confident in my strength- it's so much a part of me I cannot comprehend being any other way.

That being said- you do not need to exercise if you don't want to to lose weight. If you don't like the gym- don't go to the gym. Plain and simple.

exstromn

Stuctured exercise, probably not unless I learned to love it along the way. I garden, walk my neighborhood and power clean my house. When I was younger I rode horses and helped on my parent's farm. Now that I am at a desk job, inside all day and 100 lbs more than I was, I am struggling and find it hard to exercise in front of others.

KatrinaWilke

Yes, yes, and YES!!! I love working out! I don't go to the gym because I have to. I go to the gym because I love exercising! I think it has to do with being a dancer my whole life. I have always been very aware of my body and what I am capable of doing to it thru hard work and exercise! With that being said, I hate cardio. I only do cardio because I "have" to. I am a cyclist so I "have" to do cardio to train for my races.

LC458

Yes. It balances me emotionally and makes me feel happy. Yeah it's rough while your doing it but afterwards it is such a feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment. Do what works for you. Walking 30 min a day I think is great. Do something you like, and make it a "passion". I like ballet and running. Love a Runners a High :bigsmile:
Big congrats on the steady 4lb wk weight loss too! That's awesome!

KatrinaWilke

Also, I consider my normal activities exercise as well. Not only do I lift at the gym but I mountain bike, rock climb, swim, kayak, hike, work in the yard, ski, etc. My entire life is considered exercising! I am with JoRocka I would definitely be a professional athlete if I could! But more like a professional adventurer or something similiar.

FraggleRockerFitnessLover

This question to me is like asking, would you have sex if you didn't have to? You never HAVE to want to do things, but for me, working out and sex I WANT to...I'm a gym rat and love the smell, love to people watch, love to watch how people lift, correct form or not to the point I average 1.5-2 hours at a time. I love sex. :bigsmile:

swat1948

I have never set foot in a gym. I started out riding a recumbent bike and did some walking. I later acquired an elliptical machine. I still enjoy the walking most. I do some fitness challenges and a few videos during the week. Lots of exercise videos on YouTube...but mostly I walk, either outside or do the elliptical. The recumbent bike is broken or I would do it once in a while. Find something you enjoy doing. I really enjoy hiking the trails at a local park. Would do that all the time if it was possible. There must be some physical activity you like that you can burn calories doing?

12by311

So, if you didn't have to go? Would you? And can you tell me seriously why?

I don't go to the gym to exercise. I did in college, but now it's more convenient for me to work out at home or in the field house of the school where I work.

I don't *have* to exercise; I want to. I have gone through period (like high risk pregnancy/post c-section) where I haven't exercised and I crave it and NEED it.

I work out because it makes me feel better about myself; I like the challenge; I like endorphins; It's my therapy; it's my me time.

Exercise helps me maintain a well-rounded life I think. Plus sports are important in my family. It's just something we enjoy.

I echo what others have said. You don't have to exercise in the gym. Find your happy place

neandermagnon

my main fitness goal is to have a 300lb deadlift

would I still exercise if I could already lift 300lb and not have to work for it?

hell yeah... if I was naturally that strong I'd be aiming for a 600lb deadlift....

life would be extremely boring without challenges like this. Plus lifting is fun. So is sport. Most of the exercise I've done in my life I didn't have to do.... I did it if fun. Ice hockey especially.

in4nomz

I don't need to go to the gym now, and I still do (minus recently because I effed up my back).

I go to feel good about myself, to feel like I've done good for my body. I spent 5 years actively killing my body slowly because of a horrendous eating disorder. It's like my way of apologizing for depriving my body for such a long time. So with that, it's a mental aspect as it keeps me sane. I let out aggression through lifting heaving things, and it's always a good feeling when I get stronger :bigsmile:

mank32

there is nothing more fun than skateboarding. skateboarding = exercise. i'm good.

Holly_Roman_Empire

You mean if I magically dropped fat and strengthened my muscles without working out, and automatically had that naturally-produced mood enhancer without exercise? I guess I wouldn't exercise if those were automatics, but I seriously don't know how to get that feeling and reach my goals without it.

Editing to add: I haven't set foot in a gym in 3 years, and I got my results by working out at home. Find something you like and do it. Your body will thank you for working out once you've lost all the weight.

DeterminedFee201426

workout at home .. make your own gym at home .. even if i did'nt have to exercise i would because i like to run / dance swim

SummerRain43

would I exercise if I didn't have to?.....no

eganita

I don't think anyone HAS to go to the gym... weight can be managed with diet alone if that's your desire (though I think there are a ton of health benefits from exercising). And workouts can be done at home, outside, or pretty much anywhere. If you don't like going to the gym, you really don't HAVE to.

Personally I love working out in general... I feel strong and great afterward. It's also a nice outlet for me to relieve stress in my life (from driving in traffic or whatever has bothered me that day). I go through stages with where I work out...currently I work at home with DVDs and don't go to the gym. I have enjoyed going to the gym in the past, though. The biggest advantage of working out at home is that I don't have to waste time getting to the gym, lugging change of clothes to the gym, etc, etc. My biggest advice is to find a workout that you actually enjoy (or at least don't mind). That makes a big difference.

kristinegift

I would definitely exercise if I didn't have to! But I don't go to a gym. I run outside, bike outside, walk outside... anything to keep me off the dreadmill and away from a weight room! Once you find a type of exercise you enjoy, it's something to look forward to rather than health-related chore

ChristinWrites

You couldn't pay me to set foot in a gym, but I still exercise daily. Some stuff I love more than others - treadmill in the cold/rainy weather can get monotonous for example, but in warm weather I walk/jog/hike outside and I love it. Also, at home I can do whatever my heart pleases without having to worry about forcing myself to do something I can't stand. Exercise is vital to good health and overall wellbeing. Losing weight is important too, but why stop there? I prefer feeling energetic and strong - and not exercising does not equal energetic and strong.

sfbaumgarten

I don't have to exercise, but I do. I enjoy it and the benefits.

seltzermint555

You don't have to go to a Gym to exercise. if you hate it in all likelihood you wont keep at it long term. Maybe search out an exercise that you can do that you may enjoy that doesn't involve a gym.

so much this.

I have never been a member of a gym. I've been about six times in my entire life and hated it, to be honest. So I find other ways to exercise. Mostly miles of walking or hiking. Would I be in better overall condition if I did gym workouts? Probably. If I relied on making it to the gym for all of my exercise, how often would I actually go to the gym? Probably never.

I think it really just depends on you. But it sounds like you hate the gym!

littlelaura

I don't like the gym that much, its good when it snows though as I hate the snow and cold more. If I didn't have to I wouldn't do formal gym type exercises ever. I would walk, or swim or ride a bicycle, I like doing those things and wish I lived someplace I could do those all year round.

knra_grl

If you don't like the gym don't go, but think about your overall well being. Diabetes, as you get older is more to contend with than just blood sugar. Diabetes is also a major contributor to high blood pressure and heart disease among other things. Find activities that will keep you active and happy. Join a sports team, find a class you like to take, anything that will add some physical activity to your day. Sorry but my mother was diabetic, she was not well a lot of the time and we lost her at an early 52 yrs of age. You are young, please look after yourself.

leggup

I don't like going to the gym, but I like exercising. I love walking the dogs especially- they love it, they encourage me to keep going, and I get to explore trails, see wildlife, and meet other people and dogs. Also, I get to look at my neighbors' houses

. I also ride my bike in nice weather, which is lovely and freeing. Zumba classes are also a lot of fun. I do drop-in classes in a rec center, so I don't have a gym membership. For days with crappy weather, I do have an elliptical and freeweights, but I play music or watch Netflix on my phone. Last week I was on pinterest the whole time I was on the elliptical. The time FLEW.

Sure, there are some days I just want to be a bump on a log. Then I just look at the dogs and say, "Wanna go for a walk?" and they're all "YES YES ALWAYS PLEASE NOW!" and I get moving.

ninerbuff

Ok. For all you gym lovers, good on you, get down with your bad selves.

I. I am NOT a gym lover. I hate the smell. I hate the chatters, I hate the non chatters. I hate the people who slam the weights down and I hate the tv channels. I hate running shoes and my shirt rides up uncomfortably.

I'm also Type 2 Diabetic (newly diagnosed.)

The thing is, since I started restricting my carbs to more reasonable levels, and started a drug regimen, I am dropping a consistent and pleasing amount of weight. I'm losing about 4 pounds a week which my doctor is quite pleased with as my nutrition plan is being followed.

So, if you didn't have to go? Would you? And can you tell me seriously why? I know for me it's mental and I will most likely eventually have to do it as the carb cutting won't be enough and I'm trying to mentally prepare myself.

You don't have to like the gym or go. You CAN exercise at home. So is it the gym or is it the expectation of exercise?

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

MapleFlavouredMaiden

You shouldn't be going to the gym solely for "weight loss" any way. It's just not a good goal. You should be focused on strength, power, agility, balance, over all health, etc.

That said, in my opinion, building muscle is even more crucial when you are dropping weight. Especially as fast as you are. You are going to be losing muscle and other lean tissue mass/bone, etc which is not a good thing. When you are at your goal weight you might look "skinny fat" and wish you were firm and lean instead. Muscle is where that look comes from. Weight on the scale is much less significant than you think.

ChelinIL

Why I workout...

I workout because I like to enjoy my life to its fullest, and working out gives me the ability to do so without "paying for it" the next day. And, this past winter was pretty brutal - lots of snow, and I didn't drag out the snow blower even once because I shoveled it all by hand. Why? Because I can. And that makes me feels good--I know that all my effort has paid off.

My boyfriend would say to me, "I don't need to workout today because I shoveled the snow". I'd tell him, "No, you were able to shovel the snow because you work out."

There's more to it than just losing weight, it's maintaining and improving your health. Eating healthy is the biggest part of losing weight. Working out is icing on the cake.

ranks39

Personally, I love going to the gym, especially for lifting. That way, I can ask how certain lifts are done, what the proper form is, etc. I'm quite weak, i.e. I lift at quite a lower weight than most guys, but I'm there lifting and that's what matters to me. There really, IN MY OPINION, is no substitute for the gym, especially for my routine.

Pamela_in_Progress

I don't "have to" exercise, I "get to" exercise. The way I look at it is, I have my mobility and not everyone does. Why should I waste the opportunity to use my body to it's full potential by just sitting around doing nothing? Naturally, I didn't always feel this way. It's been a process of discovery. I don't go to the gym but over the course of a year I've tried some different classes and exercise videos and such to figure out what kinds of things I enjoy doing. Tai Chi, Zumba, aqua cycling, resistance training, kickboxing, to name a few. I've really just learned to incorporate more movement into my daily life and I've discovered that I absolutely love it!! Will I ever stop? I hope I never have to because it makes me feel totally awesome!! Try not to look at it as drudgery. Have an open mind and try some different things. You may just surprise yourself! Good luck!! :flowerforyou: