Those who didn't/don't like exercising, how long until it became a habit for you?

eveywolf
eveywolf Posts: 50 Member
edited November 28 in Fitness and Exercise
Can you share your experiences? Thank you!
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Replies

  • giantrobot_powerlifting
    giantrobot_powerlifting Posts: 2,598 Member
    I've been in and out of the gym since 1989 and what I've found that if I can break 3 months without missing a workout, then I'm on autopilot from there.
  • DopeItUp
    DopeItUp Posts: 18,771 Member
    A couple months.
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    a month or two. for the easy stuff, it was loved right away (aerial yoga) and I wanted to make it habit right away. things took a bit longer for harder things (running)
  • kami3006
    kami3006 Posts: 4,979 Member
    Two weeks of lifting and I was hooked.
  • FabianRodriguez94
    FabianRodriguez94 Posts: 221 Member
    About 2 months or so for running, but then I started lifting and it only took about 3 weeks for me to fall in love. Haven't even thought of stopping.
  • VintageFeline
    VintageFeline Posts: 6,771 Member
    Couple of months I think? I had a strict schedule to begin with and now I mostly freewheel never going more than a couple of days before I get really antsy to sweat!
  • hill8570
    hill8570 Posts: 1,466 Member
    Can't speak for "exercising" in general (I love to do outdoor activities, many of which could be classified as "exercise").

    I've generally been less than enthusiastic about indoor "exercise". With the exception being weightlifting -- after a couple of weeks of doing barbells in a structured program, I knew I'd found an indoor activity I actually enjoyed. Still haven't found an indoor cardio activity that doesn't bore me to tears.
  • holothuroidea
    holothuroidea Posts: 772 Member
    It wasn't until I started doing it with friends that it became a regular part of my life.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Early on, it was just something I made myself do, like going to work everyday. Personally, I didn't really enjoy what I was doing but knew it needed to be done. I started lifting about 4 months into my little safari of good livin' and took to that pretty much right off the bat...I had lifted on and off throughout the years, but never really followed any kind of structured programming until then...having a structured program made all the difference there.

    I was still forcing myself at that time to go run and whatnot because the cardiovascular aspect of fitness is very important for me and some of my health conditions so I just sucked it up. I decided to start training for a sprint triathlon a few months later and that's when I discovered my bike...I never did do the sprint, but I've become an avid cyclist...I love to ride.
  • VintageFeline
    VintageFeline Posts: 6,771 Member
    Yep, finding what you love is key. I'm not a lifter but I enjoy weighted HIIT/cardio type training and bodyweight stuff. I enjoy the odd shortish run. I bore easily so it's essential I'm constantly changing what I'm doing. I despise the gym so run outside and workout at home. Others enjoy distance running and cycling and find it meditative. So find what works and it becomes a lot easier to make a habit of it.
  • kbmnurse
    kbmnurse Posts: 2,484 Member
    I have exercised on and off since 1994. Running, weights, gym and whatever else floated my boat at the time. I started diligently on 10/26/15 and have exercised all but 11 days since then. I know I have to in order to get stronger and leaner.
  • jdhcm2006
    jdhcm2006 Posts: 2,254 Member
    It depends on the workout. I was hooked after my first pole class. It's the best feeling in the world (emotionally, not always physically) nailing a move. It's such a freaking high. I now own a personal pole so I could work out as much as I want, outside of my weekly private lesson, which turns out to be about 3-4 times a week. I can't get enough of it. It doesn't matter that my body stays covered in bruises b/c of it, b/c those bruises show how hard I've been working.

    When I first started working out, it was T25, which was good b/c it was a program. You workout these days for 25 minutes. Easy (not the dvds, but the layout). It took about 3 weeks for me to really get in the habit and enjoy it. I never really hated it b/c it was 25 minutes and then it was over. Now, I can't imagine not working out.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    I always liked walking so walking is still my main exercise (just at an incline on the treadmill) although I added some spinning while watching Netflix too...

    Honestly I feel bad when I take a rest day now. I just can't stand not being active anymore. I guess it took a few months... but the key is finding something you like doing (or don't mind too much).
  • peleroja
    peleroja Posts: 3,979 Member
    Once I made a schedule, it was pretty much instant. I just told myself I was going at 6:15 on Monday/Wednesday to do certain specific things and at 12:30 on Tuesday/Thursday to do other specific things and that I was doing a long run of such-and-such distance every Saturday morning and then I felt like I had to do it. For me it's WAY easier with a plan and a goal (I have mileage/speed goals for running and a set routine for strength) because skipping a day or falling behind then has consequences to me.
  • shabaity
    shabaity Posts: 792 Member
    It took mma classes to get me in a routine I've now added other stuff as auxiliary to improve that.
  • KathyApplebaum
    KathyApplebaum Posts: 188 Member
    Took me about 6 months before running was a part of my life. Still don't love it, but I'm out there doing it, rain or shine. (Today was rain. :'( )

    I love biking, so that only took a few weeks. Unfortunately, it's not always easy to fit a 3 hour ride in, so I don't do it nearly as often as I'd like.
  • cookielover_96
    cookielover_96 Posts: 177 Member
    I started when I was in 8th grade. I was a bit overweight so I started running on the treadmill at home a lot. Years passed, and I increased my intensity more. I enjoyed running but I started getting a gym membership before college. Some days it felt like a drag, but when I started seeing those small results it motivates me to keep going.
  • ElizabethOakes2
    ElizabethOakes2 Posts: 1,038 Member
    I hate going to the gym. Really. Hate. It. And then I discovered that exercise wasn't limited to the gym. Until my back injury, I danced, rode bicycles, took hula hoop and poi-spinning classes, etc. Now I walk and swim, and find that if I miss a few days in the pool or don't get my feet under me my body starts missing it. But if you hate exercise, find something you love to do. Fitness isn't tied to the treadmill. :)
  • zenjen13
    zenjen13 Posts: 174 Member
    I love my yoga class but bc it's out of town it's easy to get lazy and want to skip once in a while. I booked my Little's piano lessons for the same time so that I can never skip!
  • kk_inprogress
    kk_inprogress Posts: 3,077 Member
    8-12 weeks for me, but I can break that in just 2 days. Frustrating!
  • JenHuedy
    JenHuedy Posts: 611 Member
    I wanted exercise to be as enjoyable as possible, so I combined it with another activity I enjoy - TV. I set my treadmill up in the basement and a nice view of a big screen. Attached some headphones to block out the treadmill noise and walked during my favorite tv shows.

    I know myself, and I knew you I'd find any crappy excuse to avoid the gym or going outside. Too hot, too cold, no clean clothes... you get the idea. And I knew I'd make excuses about time, or "forget" if it wasn't on a regular schedule. So I set a goal of walking every day, but I didn't have to do more than 20 minutes. Of course, most of the time I'd do more so I could catch the whole show.

    As I walked more, I learned to love moving more. That turned into faster speeds, higher incline, Couch To 5K, running 10-15 miles a week outside, and even joining the local rec center to do Stronglifts 5x5. And yes, I still do most of my tv watching on the treadmill.

    Start simple. Be consistent. Make it a habit you enjoy.
  • myssjaxson
    myssjaxson Posts: 89 Member
    I started out with simple walking which bored me to tears, unless I have something to look at (unfamiliar landscape, new trail, beautiful sights, hot shirtless guy... Etc) then I hate walking as exercise (plus its not the best anyway). I started C25K recently and I love running, hooked after a few days. I'm not good at it at all, but I love it and plan on working my way up. I also really enjoy strength. I hate stationary bikes and treadmills, but I can deal with elliptical's.

    I enjoy doing high-intesity (but short timed) workouts. I love P90X for example, its go-go-go, upbeat, etc. But I gotta get stronger to be able to move up and enjoy it more.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    I've been sedentary most of my life. What made the difference this time is if I am not enjoying myself I try something else. It took about six weeks of steady exercise when I saw obvious results and I haven't looked back since. If I get bored I find something new to challenge me.

    I'm not a big fan of toughing things out. If I'm not having fun I find something new to do.
  • peacock567
    peacock567 Posts: 6 Member
    Personally the key for me is to change up my workouts. I try different things all the time. But the first ever workout that i fell in love with was Zumba.
  • LKArgh
    LKArgh Posts: 5,178 Member
    eveywolf wrote: »
    Can you share your experiences? Thank you!

    I thought I did not like exercise until I experimented with different forms of exercise. Do not try to to get used to doing some workout you hate, find some physical activity you like. Everybody has something that they like, or at least tolerate.
  • mrp56839
    mrp56839 Posts: 159 Member
    It's a matter of staying in a routine for me. 2 years ago I was in the best shape of my life, running, feeling great, but still not loving my body. Life happened, I lost my routine and regained 70#.

    In October I was really just ready for a change. Not like, "I should do this," but like "Im really ready to make a change." I met the owner of a new gym at a health fair and he was exactly what I needed when I need it. I met with one of his trainers and committed to try lifting for 3 months. Best.decision.ever.

    It took about 2 months to fall in love with the feeling. It's not the high I got from running, but it's the badass feeling from realizing I could do what I couldn't do before. It's being just outside of my comfort zone and trying new things. Believe me, I'm a girly girl. The bro gym is the last place I pictured myself!
  • lynnstrick01
    lynnstrick01 Posts: 181 Member
    As I have said many times, I hate regimented exercise, however as others have said I do like physical activity, so I try to burn my calories by upping the burn of daily routine. Strap on ankle weights and then just go about my daily chores. I am trying really hard to make this the last DIET of my life, so I have to do things I know I will stick with, and an exercise routine is not one of those things. see my post "calling all exercise haters" and go to this website https://http://www.prevention.com/weight-loss/weight-loss-tips/little-changes-add-big-weight-loss to get some ideas, then you can track the calories at www.healthstatus.com/perl/calculator.cgi

    Not that regimented exercise is BAD, it's just that there are a whole lot of people out there who just simply will not stick with it, and if you aren't going to stay with it, your weight will just come back. But if you make changes in your daily routine to burn more calories doing the same things you already do every day, you are more likely to keep those habits.
  • Anonycatgirl
    Anonycatgirl Posts: 502 Member
    As many other people have said, try to find something fun. The only time I actually enjoyed "going to the gym" was when my gym was attached to a dance studio and attracted a bunch of professional/would-be professional dancers who worked out before or after the high-level classes. (Eye candy! I could use the exercise bike and watch pretty, pretty people!)
  • AnnElizabethKate
    AnnElizabethKate Posts: 24 Member
    it took about a month for my body to get used to a workout schedule. Now 4 years later I have to workout in the morning or i drive myself crazy haha
  • Shells918
    Shells918 Posts: 1,070 Member
    I've worked out on and off since college, and I'm now in my mid 40s. I have always done better at a gym if I'm working out with a partner whether it is a friend, or a trainer. I have been exercising at home with videos for the last four months and have been very consistent. For me, it has been about finding the right video and making myself put on my workout clothes and soon as I wake up in order to be ready to go as soon as I finish breakfast. I think also seeing the results that I am seeing now, has made me motivated to continue. I feel unsettled if I do not exercise these days, and make sure to do them later on if I'm not able to at my usual time.
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