The thought of exercise makes me sick

no, there are no sudden bouts of energy and motivation. it's about having a clear, distinct goal, researching how to get to that goal, having a plan of attack, and then working on that plan for many weeks. its grueling day in day out, but its whats needed if you want what you want

The way I think of it is kind of like inertia. (An object at rest tends to stay at rest, an object in motion tends to stay in motion). So if I'm vegging out watching Netflix, the thought of exercise can make me go "ugghh" as well. But knowing that's only half the equation, I talk myself into overcoming the inertia, and doing some exercise I know intellectually that I enjoy. Often I tell myself I only "have" to do 15 minutes, and if I want to stop at 15 I will honor that, but usually once I'm in motion I'm ready to keep going. Our bodies were made to be fed properly, and to move regularly - so it does actually feel good to treat it right. After I work out I make a point to notice how I feel good (my neck tension is looser! No indigestion! Feel thirsty and quenching that with cold water so satisfying! Post workout stretching as good as a massage! Etc). Then when it's time to talk myself into working out next time I remember all those good feelings and it's easier to make the argument. When you are just starting out you don't have that history to draw on, so it's a little more going on faith. I would say try just to do a tiny bit of moving regularly, make a point to notice what feels good about it, and you will really get the ball rolling so to speak. Good luck!!

I feel the same way. If you find something you love to do you will not think of it as exercise. I have a Wii and do Zumba at home. I refuse to go to the gym with all the "skinny people", so I stay home and dance. Zumba burns the calories, it's fun and you can just do one song, a short class, medium class or full class. You can also customize it with songs you like and can do. I think that is the secret. Find something you love to do and get moving. Remember it is mostly calories in calories out. Portion control is the most important part of losing weight. You can do this. Just find something you love to do. Good luck and never give up.

You just have to start where you are and not think that far ahead. Don't think that you have to go out and climb mountains. Just start by being about to walk for X minutes continuously. Even if it is a short walk and it leaves you huffing and puffing and you hate every single step of it, just get it done, cross it off your list for the day and move on. Start small and improve daily. Say you can only walk for ten minutes before you are fed up. That's great if the alternative would have been sitting for ten minutes. The next day walk for eleven minutes. Or walk the same distance you did yesterday in ten minutes, but do it in 9 minutes. Just strive to make improvements.

If you are creating a calorie deficit with your diet you will start to lose weight.

And, yes, as you lose weight, the exercise will become easier.

Remember, you don't have to like it, but you do have to do it.

I never thought that I would want to workout. Ever. I know where you're coming from.

I started working out because I know that its good for you. I know the health benefits and wanted to look better (and eat more food while still losing weight). So I started with C25K (a run training program if you don't know). It kicked my butt. I was dying by the end and swore that I would NEVER ever ever like to run. But I stuck with the program because I wanted to finish what I started.

One day at about week 8, I was heading to lunch and thought "OOOH its my running night!!". It made me do a double take. Where did THAT come from??? Who is that person? It really took me by surprise.

Now, some days I'm excited to work out, some days I don't feel like it. But I stick to my schedule because I always feel better after I do. I always beat myself up if I skip for no good reason (if I'm sick or something I don't worry about it). I look at it as something I do, like laundry or brushing my teeth. It's just part of my daily routine, so why would I not do it?

I actually enjoy exercising now. It made my life easier. I can walk up some flights of stairs without being out of breath. I like getting outside and getting some fresh air. If I've gone a week without a run, I'm itching to get outside and go. I'm a completely different person now and if you had said that to me 2 years ago, I would have laughed in your face.

You don't need to exercise to lose weight. A calorie deficit is all that's needed. However, I don't think I would have stuck with my calorie deficit for the year that I've been doing this without the exercise component in there. I can eat more calories because I burn more calories, which helps me work more treats into my calorie goal. But even more so, exercising has given me more self confidence and makes me feel better. The benefits far exceed the physical and it helps you mentally and emotionally as well.

You don't have to do a lot. But try something and stick with it. Try different things. There are more exercises out there than running and zumba classes (or whatever). You can swim or bike or hike or yoga or tennis or golf or rock climbing or skiing, etc. There are sooo many activities that there is bound to be something you will enjoy. You probably won't fall in love overnight, but eventually you will find something you enjoy doing.

I started with just walking. The first time I walked a mile I cried. Walking led me to hiking (low grade) and eventually that built up and I was able to actually sustain running. Did my first 5k exactly a year ago (3 days after getting a positive pregnancy test, haha, so I haven't ran since). I also did low impact swimming and Zumba.

Basically, find activities that hold your interest and that you find fun. Exercise isn't supposed to feel like a chore. It should be enjoyable.

I think it starts with wanting to make changes in your life. My own story involves me being 29 years old with a 5 year old so back in 1988. I smoked and weighed 225 at 5' 11" tall and I HATED running and most exercise except basketball at that time. May not seem horribly overweight, but I was in the Air Force and was likely to lose my career if I didn't make changes. So I got an assignment to Turkey in 1988 and it was without family where I could easily have slipped into a REAL funk.

Instead, I quit smoking on August 9, 1988 and began to jog just a little. Again, my weight started at 225 and I had smoked for 12 years so I couldn't even go an eight of a mile. But, I stuck with it day after day and it got a little better every single day, plus it kept me from smoking because I immediately noticed how much better I felt and I could breath again!

Eight months into my 15 month assignment, my weight is now 160-165 pounds and I'm running 6+ miles a day, plus participating in two Intramural basketball leagues which had me at practice most week days. My wife almost walked past me at the airport on my mid-assignment leave. She knew I'd quit smoking and so she did as well because neither of us wanted our son to ever smoke. He's 32 now and doesn't smoke I'm happy to say.

The point is that through little changes, compiled as a daily habit I completely changed my life at age 29 BEFORE it was too late. I'm 56 now and I can't run anymore because my feet are extremely arthritic, however I still walk every day often getting over 18,000 steps a day (about 7-9 miles usually) just through simple things like parking as far from work as possible, taking breaks several times a day (I am a desk jockey now) and walking the company stairs and having a walk every lunch hour. I also walk every morning or use an elliptical trainer. My weight is a bit higher now at around 205, but again, I am 56 and it's a little harder these days than when I was 29.

My advice to you and anyone else is to learn to view exercise as your salvation rather than a nuisance. It will change your life if you start slowly, push yourself a wee bit every time you do some of it and really take note of the positive changes that are happening in your life AFTER you are done exercising. You'll be more alert, have more energy and stamina and be able to lose weight more effectively. If all that isn't a good thing, then I don't know what is! Best to you!

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I have four of her hoops and love them. Hooping was really the only exercise I really enjoyed. I need to get back at it

Enjoy exercise because it is a stress reliever for me. I can plug in my headphones and work off all that energy. Try different programs/classes/machines and see which one you like the best. You don't have to become a 5am runner or anything extreme, just take it slow and at your own pace. This should be an enjoyable experience in general since I'm assuming you want to keep the weight off forever (some days you'll absolutely hate it, some days you'll love it). Learn to love the sweat - its a sign of accomplishment Took me 6 years. Someday you may become one of those 5am runners, how proud would you be!! And yes, there are bouts of energy and motivation, at one point I was waking up, jumping out of bed at 6am to go to the gym because I felt so much better the rest of the day after. If you really want something you'll do anything to get there!!!