Seeing exercise as more than a chore?
icflyinmonkies
Posts: 24 Member
Ok everyone, I need help.
I've got 70 lbs to lose. I'm working on my diet (the easier part) and I don't necessarily hate or like exercise. I'm kinda meh. I understand the necessity of exercise, but I don't LOVE it. For me, the biggest thing that I hate is the time lost from other things that I want to do with my day. How do you get to the point where you don't see exercise as a chore?
For me, I personally, hate, the time taken from the rest of my day and the fact that it takes me away from home. I work at home for a large company at a desk all day which is bad, but I'm a homebody who also prefers to be at home and hates having to go out. So this is how I see it in my mind:
Work 8:30 - 5 lunch is only 30 minutes.
Time to get dressed for gym (either at home or at gym) take about 15 minutes
Commute to gym - 15-20 minutes
Exercise - 1 hour
commute back home - 15-20 minutes
shower after workout - 30 minutes
house responsibilities like chores - 30-1hr
cooking - 1 hr+ (I'm not very good at cooking as in I'm still learning so everything in the kitchen takes me longer than others)
about 4 hours, so now it's about 9 pm.
2 hours left to do what I want, then to bed to repeat.
It feels like the greater part of my day is doing things I don't really like or that I have to do rather than what I want to do or be at home with those I care for then out at the gym alone.
I've tried getting a gym buddy but none of my friends stick to it, and the boyfriend and i have such different schedules, plus he likes running outdoors mostly, whereas i hate running and prefer things like body pump, body combat classes or swimming. But even though I like the gym classes, that extra time used up outside of the workout itself makes me not care to go. I don't know what's wrong with me
How can i get out of this mindset?!
I've got 70 lbs to lose. I'm working on my diet (the easier part) and I don't necessarily hate or like exercise. I'm kinda meh. I understand the necessity of exercise, but I don't LOVE it. For me, the biggest thing that I hate is the time lost from other things that I want to do with my day. How do you get to the point where you don't see exercise as a chore?
For me, I personally, hate, the time taken from the rest of my day and the fact that it takes me away from home. I work at home for a large company at a desk all day which is bad, but I'm a homebody who also prefers to be at home and hates having to go out. So this is how I see it in my mind:
Work 8:30 - 5 lunch is only 30 minutes.
Time to get dressed for gym (either at home or at gym) take about 15 minutes
Commute to gym - 15-20 minutes
Exercise - 1 hour
commute back home - 15-20 minutes
shower after workout - 30 minutes
house responsibilities like chores - 30-1hr
cooking - 1 hr+ (I'm not very good at cooking as in I'm still learning so everything in the kitchen takes me longer than others)
about 4 hours, so now it's about 9 pm.
2 hours left to do what I want, then to bed to repeat.
It feels like the greater part of my day is doing things I don't really like or that I have to do rather than what I want to do or be at home with those I care for then out at the gym alone.
I've tried getting a gym buddy but none of my friends stick to it, and the boyfriend and i have such different schedules, plus he likes running outdoors mostly, whereas i hate running and prefer things like body pump, body combat classes or swimming. But even though I like the gym classes, that extra time used up outside of the workout itself makes me not care to go. I don't know what's wrong with me
How can i get out of this mindset?! 0
Replies
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That is why 99% of my cardio is dedicated to basketball now. I just don't bother running. It is boring and not fun for me at all. Find something you like doing that isn't a standard gym workout! Working out won't be a chore then, it will be the fun part of your day. Find something that you can do that you like that isn't restricted by a class schedule. I used to love fencing (foil and sabre) and Ultimate Frisbee. Now I do basketball. You say you like body combat things? Study it, train for it, get better every month. Working out doesn't have to be the same thing every time.0
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To take the commute out of the equation, you could do workout videos. Look up BeFit or Fitness Blender on YouTube; stuff for all fitness levels. Or you could try out different activities or classes until you find something you like, so it won't seem like a chore. Some people like to swim, some take boxing classes, etc.0
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It appears the commute to the gym and the associated tasks that go along with it are what's making it a chore. If you can swing it, drop the gym membership and take up power walking, running, or cycling and do strength training at home.
As for me, being diabetic, I have no choice but to exercise. I got back into cycling after a two decade hiatus. I'm finally getting that "high" from exercising so I look forward to getting on the bike.0 -
I found something that I LOVE to do....so instead of it being a chore I am excited to take that time for myself. I also have cleaning sessions at least once a week where I will turn on super loud/dancy music and dance around the house. I work out at home, I dont belong to a gym...I walk my neighborhood a few times a week but besides that I dont waste time going to the gym.0
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Keep trying different things until you find something you'll like and stick with. Looks like you like group classes, what about an early morning bootcamp? Or soccer or roller derby even?0
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Work out at home with DVDs or youtube videos, as suggested. Fitness Blender, 30 Day Shred, Tae Bo, some of the Beach Body workouts, etc.
Or you could do HIIT. Minimal time, maximum results!!
Also, it looks like you could save quite a bit of time with cooking. Have your ever tried preparing your meals in advance? It might help.
Good luck!!0 -
I was going to suggest group activities in the gym but you're already doing this my absolute favourite is body attack I really enjoy it and don't find it a chore at all I am sure fitness and excersize isn't supposed to be that much fun! I also enjoy body pump, combat and spin.. Other than that find an activity you love outside the gym? Maybe dancing, rock climbing, hill walking, maybe you could take up some martial art? horse riding (obviously 1 of.mine!
) you know what ever floats your boat!! Is there any activity you and your otherhalf could do together? 0 -
I totally agree!! I am a single working mom so time is limited. I definitely have time to exercise but honestly would rather use that time to relax. The only exercise I have liked so far is walking with friends but that is hard to find people that have the same timings as me.
I will keep looking0 -
I don't think people who just start an exercise program like it, as you stated you consider It more of a chore. Exercise buddies never work out for the long term, someone is going to quit working out, which discourages the whole process. Busy daily schedules get in the way, etc. etc. etc. I imagine over 50% of the nation feels the same way as you, and probably for the same reasons. "This isn't fun, so why am I doing it."
Exercise is like a taste you acquire. "Your mom made you eat Spinach (something you really didn't like) several times, and now you like it so much you can't get enough of it."
Exercise if done consistently, becomes a habit and can be very addictive. If you work out hard enough a person gets what is known as a runners high sending those happy endorphins through your brain. Exercise has been known to cure depression, while building self esteem, something that most overweight people are in desperate need of.
I always tell beginners to find something they like to do, as that insures they'll continue to do it. It can be sports, a dance aerobics class, swimming, walking, hiking, running, or just jogging in place in your living room while watching T.V. Myself I have been going to my Jazzercise class for decades, because I am a social type person, and have to work out with others or I won't. My husband is a runner, and he has a complete gym in our basement that he uses, whereas machines bore me to death.
But there is one thing that you should realize. Right now there is someone who is much busier than you that is working out, and that the only person who can truly motivate you-is you.0 -
It takes some trial and error, like some people just take to and *love* hitting the gym, Im not one of those people. Others take to and *love* working out to dvds...those bore me too. Anything that gets repetitive and monotonous kills my interest with a quickness.
But, I have found that I love walking (I would try running if I could..but my knees are shot) especially because Im out in fresh air, even when I take the same route, there are people, birds, dogs, sky, cars, all sorts of things to look at..plus I listen to an audio book, and have found myself walking around a bit more just to hear the rest of a chapter. I also find scary / thriller stories make me walk faster lol!
I also have heard about dragon boat racing in my city, and thinking about checking into the beginner classes for it..I think that would be amazingly fun and a huge workout. Also, Im talking with a guy
And he brought up bike riding..something I used to love doing, but havnt ever since I gave up my bike when I moved. But there are some great biking trails around here Id love to explore.
But yeah, find something you enjoy, in an environment you enjoy..then not only will it be something you want to do, but actually look forward to. Like, at one time, I literally lived across the street from my gym, and it was 24 Hour Fitness...I had NO excuse, but be darned if I didnt come up with 101 reasons why I couldnt go. Well, not true, every so often, I would drop in to hang out in the steam room for a bit then leave again. That was it.0 -
But there is one thing that you should realize. Right now there is someone who is much busier than you that is working out, and that the only person who can truly motivate you-is you.
I am going to let that marinate...because it's true. You're right. And the part of me that wants to stay in my comfort zone of not taking that extra step needs to hear it.![:\](https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/resources/emoji/confused.png ":\")
Thank you!0 -
I am a huge culture buff and I love to stay on top of the goodreads reading list I've got as well as the imdb to watch movie list! What I do is I skip for about 60 minutes a day and blast an audiobook while I'm working out. I find this to be less restrictive than music (because I don't know how long I've been working out, whereas with music I can generally track that I've skipped to 3 songs, so it's been about 3.5 for every song...etc).
60 minutes a day can be a bit intensive but I'm a uni student with no job so I can manage my time fairly well. My diet is healthy but I hate restrictive food plans so I rely on my exercise to tide the caloric deficit over (sometimes I just CAN'T not have noodles in my teriyaki, or no bread when there are beautiful baguettes to be served).0 -
find something you like. it will always be a chore to do things that are boring. i tried a million things since i started and ended up with running (which i love for the zone out, and ability to keep time ith my music in footfalls and endorphins). biking, one real bikes. fake bikes are tedious as anything, tennis, weight lifting at home in between other tasks with a barbell, and long adventurous walks around town involving busses and feet and no cars, when i have the chance. then there are walks to the library, a thing i like to call various cardio, where i do 10-20 minutes on each machine at the gym, water aerobics in my buildings pool in the summer, and practicing soccer with my kiddo. (i also loved body pump class until i hurt myself doing it. loved it like crazy, and i do yoga when i need it but dont LOVE it just understand its value)
these are all things i love and dont think of as chores. when i first started working out all i did was cardio machines and circuit weights and i was BORED and thought it was soooo much tedium. after a while though there was this aha moment after i finihsed my first 20 minute nonstop run (i was gaining on 300 pounds at the time so 20 minutes was a feat) and i went outside and realized i felt AMAZING, better than i had ever felt and i try for that feeling now. i dont know how after 36 years i finally figured it out but... you just have to keep trying things until you love something. and each day do what you love, not what you have to. i never go to the gym to do anything i dont want to do anymore. i walk in and do what feels right. i try not to take it so seriously as my goal is weight loss ad feeling better, and not a model body.0 -
Find an activity that you love to do, and keep doing it. The problem for many people seems to be that they stick to the 'typical' exercise routines. HIIT, strength, tabata, treadmill, the gym. These things are fun for some people. I enjoy HIIT, for example, on days where I have a lot of energy. I'm, also, a housebound person who cannot get that energy out otherwise. HIIT provides an outlet for me. Some people, however, do not enjoy HIIT. And that's okay.
Find something you do enjoy. There are plenty of options out there. You're only limited by your imagination. When I was 15/16, my form of exercise was going to the rec center every day with my brother, my sister, and my sister's boyfriend and playing basketball. It was really fun. Some people take up other sports, of course. You could, also, take up walking. Walking is so simple, and effective. And I find it very peaceful. I get most of my plotting (I'm a writer) done on my daily walks. I always go for one in the morning, and one shortly before dark. Each tends to be 30-40 minutes, on average. Sometimes, I take my dogs. That makes it even more fun. I've started jogging with my one dog. That's fun, too.
Change up the routine, too. If you do the same thing every day, not only will it get less effective over time... but it will get boring over time. I like jessicasmithtv (you can Google her, she has DVDs and a website with free routines), as she offers a wide variety of routines... from barre, to HIIT, to power walking. Some people find dancing to be fun, and that can be exercise, too! Just find what works for you. Honestly? No one likes to exercise in the beginning. We all go through a period of trial and error. Where we try out different routines, and buy a bunch of videos, and maybe even sign up for classes only to drop them and sign up for another... until we find something that doesn't feel like a chore.0 -
i should add, i also believe in not taking onesself too seriously. i try to do something every day, but it doesnt have to be a marathon./ sometimes walking to target or trader joes is plenty. just keep moving and dont eat too much. lol.
some kind of tracker like a fitbit is helpful too, helps to let you know how much or little you are doing in reality.0 -
Find some exercise that you enjoy...Zumba, spinning, aerobics etc. Then it won't be a chore.
I actually really enjoy exercise. After work I like to go to the gym, put my iPod in and just have 'me' time (I'm a teacher).
Now I have 3 children, going to the gym is the only time I get to myself, so I love it even more. I'm lucky that I do have a couple of exercise buddies too, but even if I didn't, I do a big variety of classes so never get bored of it.0 -
It's only going to be something you can stick to if it's something you enjoy but like, you don't always enjoy every second of your day right? I mean cooking isn't my favourite thing but I put on the tv or some music, get it done. For me yeah I can't be bothered with intense cardio it's just hm. I like walking around and looking at things and listening to music. I like doing some body weight exercises. Then taking a long hot shower. It feels good. Maybe I'm a hedonist but if it doesn't feel good or at least not feel bad and isn't totally dull I"m not going to do it and I'm not going to stick to it. It's a matter of finding that sweet spot and exercising in the way that suits you.0
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I bought the Zombies 5K and Zombies, Run apps. It's basically a C25K and running app with a zombie themed storyline. Running isn't boring when I'm using them and is actually pretty fun. I'm only using the 5K app right now, but I'm already seeing a difference in conditioning. With the full app, I'm looking forward to the base building, "escaping" zombie hordes and hearing the full storyline that I hear is at the very least okay.0
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I love dance workouts, so at home I LOVE Hip Hop Abs and Brazillian Butt Lift. I also just started kickboxing at a dedicated kickboxing place. I LOVE kickboxing and thats the closest you will ever get me to something that resembles a gym. But even for lifting weights I lift at home. I HATE the gym. But I LOVE lifting weights.0
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I work out at home. Stationary bike, rowing machine, weights, step aerobics, home walking DVDs. Cathe Friedrich and Leslie Sansone.0
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I also work from home. I'm someone who can not stand the thought of going to a gym. It's all personal pref though. To me, the time it takes to get ready to go - commute - hope to get on the equipment you want at your call - pack it up and commute home - takes way longer than it would be do simply do what I want to do at home. Heck - the commute alone would equals 30-40% of my exercise time I can do at home.
Find something you like and go to it!. I use what many/most hate and like it - a treadmill. Soon to be an elliptical too.
Also use a Stability ball and a mat to do many stretching and strength exercises that use body weight and some simple dumbells.
I'm able to do much / most of it either before work or right after I disconnect. Sometimes I eat while I work and use my lunch time to get in a run on the treadmill... I try to get creative each day with my time.0 -
You don't have to excercise to lose weight, I cycle but only because I enjoy it. Plus I still do the same as before but it was only my eating that changed..0
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