How do I learn to love exercise?
fat2fab4life
Posts: 253 Member
I have been exercising all year. Although I still over eat, like all the time, I'm not feeling the other benefits of exercise. They say I should have more energy, I think my energy level is the same. they also say I should sleep better at night. I don't think that's possible with a 2 year old climbing in my bed and kicking me all the time.
what i have noticed is that at the gym there are so many distractions that it's hard to enjoy my time there and I get so bored on the treadmill walking and on the elliptical. the exercise bike is sooooooo boring! ugh, Im thinking about trying a spinning class. maybe that will help?
outside walking I am getting soooooo dark.. good for some.. not for me.. I'm dark enough. my son loves the fresh air but all of the bugs hitting me in the face and flying into my mouth everytime I say something is just getting on my nerves.
Exercising at home, well i get bored. I think I own almost all of Leslie Sansone's walk at home videos and although I love her b/c she can get me to sweat and really move, I know all the videos by hear! I'm basically doing the videos off memory and I can't afford to buy any more.
i just want to learn to love to exericse like the rest of you. I want to put on my happy face and go out for a speed walk and just enjoy it! I want to go to the gym and jump on the treadmill or the elliptical and smile the whole time instead of panting for air!
How did you learn to love exercise? how can I make it fun?
what i have noticed is that at the gym there are so many distractions that it's hard to enjoy my time there and I get so bored on the treadmill walking and on the elliptical. the exercise bike is sooooooo boring! ugh, Im thinking about trying a spinning class. maybe that will help?
outside walking I am getting soooooo dark.. good for some.. not for me.. I'm dark enough. my son loves the fresh air but all of the bugs hitting me in the face and flying into my mouth everytime I say something is just getting on my nerves.
Exercising at home, well i get bored. I think I own almost all of Leslie Sansone's walk at home videos and although I love her b/c she can get me to sweat and really move, I know all the videos by hear! I'm basically doing the videos off memory and I can't afford to buy any more.
i just want to learn to love to exericse like the rest of you. I want to put on my happy face and go out for a speed walk and just enjoy it! I want to go to the gym and jump on the treadmill or the elliptical and smile the whole time instead of panting for air!
How did you learn to love exercise? how can I make it fun?
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Replies
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definitely try spinning, it should keep your attention! keep experimenting until you find something you like to do. sounds like you get bored easy! what about a kick boxing class? or step class? where the instructor is pushing you to move every second, you won't have time to think. much better than mindless walking on a treadmill.
also, you say you over eat, but what do you over eat? what you are consuming will have just as much of an impact on your energy levels and how you feel as your exercise.....also if the little one is keeping you awake at night that isn't helping!! Not enough sleep will equal not enough energy which will equal your body wanting more "fuel" no matter the exercise it can't take the place of proper rest.....0 -
I read. I sit on one of the bikes which is more of a sitting down one and read a book. I like that I can get 20-30 reading in as well as cycling at the sametime.
Before I started doing this, I throughly hated the gym and really had to force myself to go.0 -
Not sure how to make it fun, because my exercising isn't fun, but I wanted to say that you're not alone in thinking exercise is not fun. I don't find it fun...there are a million other things I'd rather be doing, but I exercise because I know it is important to my body to exercise, for lots of reasons. Exercise will never be "fun" for me - it will probably always be somewhat of a chore - but a necessary one. I've committed to changing my lifestyle, and this is part of it...
Don't get me wrong, I don't hate it. I just don't LOVE it.
PS - I use my treadmill time to read...I rarely get personal reading time, so walking on the treadmill at the gym is my 1 hour of reading time per day!!!0 -
have u tried any of the classes at your gym? I love Zumba, so I take the classes they offer at my gym. I love to dance so I bought the dancing games for my Wii and Kinects. You may not be getting the benefit of exercise because the eating habits haven't changed... it's a combo of both0
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Hey girl, some people just aren't exercise fanatics and that's fine. But I feel like you can train yourself to love it over time. Find some type of exercise that you enjoy doing so it doesn't feel like a chore or work. Exercise classes, like zumba, kickboxing, or spinning, make working out fun. Maybe try to get a workout buddy so it's a social event and a workout at the same time (although focus more on the workout and don't chat too much! Lol). Also, a good playlist on your ipod helps a lot.0
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Have you tried exercising to music? Try to be more positive with self-talk, the glass is half full you know! :flowerforyou:0
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The eternal question..... Would love to know that answer myself. Anyway, I've tried the treadmill, which I hated. I prefer to walk outside if possible. I'm currently doing Zumba dvd's and TurboFire. If you love to dance, Zumba is so much fun. I've been doing it since March and I've never gotten tired of it. The TurboFire is kicking my butt though, but I guess that's a good thing 0
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i dont think theres way to learn to love it. you either like it or you dont.
i love it cause i know its helping, makes me lose weight, and keep fit for better health etc.
always take my ipod with me, so ive always got my own music on instead of the terrible gym radio music![:\](https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/resources/emoji/confused.png ":\")
im one of those, i cant be bothered to go when im home from work. but once im there i love it
no way i can explain how, its just one of those things x 0 -
I dont know if anyone really loves to exercise. I know i sure dont, but i still do it each day. It definately gets boring, but i do it because i want to loose the weight, so i put up with it and keep pushing myself to work out longer when i really want to quit after 6 minutes. I havent really seemed to have more energy after, but i have noticed that i indeed do sleep better....even with my 2 year old. I can honestly say i have never slept so good in my whole life.
Just dont beat yourself up about not enjoying it. You may never. But just keep doing it until you get into a routine, and once you have a routine you will just do it because it is a part of each day!!!0 -
Try to switch things up. I get bored so easily and start hating exercising if I do the same thing a lot. So I go to my library and get dvds there. It gives me a week and that way I can try a lot of different things. Maybe you could try that, 0
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I joined a gym and as a mother of 2 i enjoy being able to leave the house for a little bit to go and get away. I also do a calorie counter to help me keep up with the things i am eating. This week is the first week i have actualy been to the gym every day and been under my allowed calories and this morning I wolk up feeling great ( i also have a 3 year old that sleeps in my bed). So I guess by doing those things correctly it has helped me. Maybe it can help you too.0
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when I get bored I go to a lot of group exercise classes, is there daycare at your gym? if not joi your local Y instead they watch the little ones for 90 minutes (included) a day so moms can work out
I feel like group exericse motivates me to work harder
I am doing home exercise now the beach body classes P90X, insanity, turbo jam. I am motivated by the challenge of completing the schedule. I dread exercise but I feel like when I see I can lift more weight or do cardio for longer periods I get proud of myself! i.e. I started with 8lb bicep curls now I do 15 pounds and my arms are not so jiggly! I just set little personal fitness goals so I can celebrate when I meet them.
I dont really "love" exercise but I am liking being stronger, firmer, losing inches etc.
I struggle with overeating too but again everyday I stray on track I am happy, even if I blow it the next day, every good day is one step closer to changing!
try to set little goals for yourself get off the boring machines and try a class!0 -
You haven't found your "niche" yet. Have you tried any classes? Zumba? Yoga? Pilates? Pole dancing? Flirty Girls exercise? There are so many choices so just don't feel obligated to walking on a treadmill (gah I hate it and would rather walk outside with some scenery).I have been exercising all year. Although I still over eat, like all the time, I'm not feeling the other benefits of exercise. They say I should have more energy, I think my energy level is the same. they also say I should sleep better at night. I don't think that's possible with a 2 year old climbing in my bed and kicking me all the time.
what i have noticed is that at the gym there are so many distractions that it's hard to enjoy my time there and I get so bored on the treadmill walking and on the elliptical. the exercise bike is sooooooo boring! ugh, Im thinking about trying a spinning class. maybe that will help?
outside walking I am getting soooooo dark.. good for some.. not for me.. I'm dark enough. my son loves the fresh air but all of the bugs hitting me in the face and flying into my mouth everytime I say something is just getting on my nerves.
Exercising at home, well i get bored. I think I own almost all of Leslie Sansone's walk at home videos and although I love her b/c she can get me to sweat and really move, I know all the videos by hear! I'm basically doing the videos off memory and I can't afford to buy any more.
i just want to learn to love to exericse like the rest of you. I want to put on my happy face and go out for a speed walk and just enjoy it! I want to go to the gym and jump on the treadmill or the elliptical and smile the whole time instead of panting for air!
How did you learn to love exercise? how can I make it fun?0 -
I work out at a gym. I hate getting ready and going, but once I'm there, I love it! When I'm plugged in to my headphones, I put myself in my own little world. I make it a time to relax and think while working out on the weight machines and treadmill. Not that I don't give it 100%, but I can't enjoy working out if I'm tense and don't control my breathing/body movements. Maybe try getting a workout partner? Usually my brother and I go off to do our own workout routine at the gym, but when we do the ab ripper x together, it's a lot easier when he's there to laugh at myself with me!
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Music! I have several upbeat Pandora stations on my iPhone - everything from club music to Motown - and it turns the monotonous into fun (well, most of the time, anyway!)
Also, try to focus on positive thoughts while you are exercising, like how much stronger and healthier your body is becoming, rather than how bored you are.
Don't give up! Good luck!0 -
Hm. Try doing the classes- there is always something different going on in the classes and you can kind of push yourself against other people. Going to classes will help with the variation. It sounds to me that you're just doing the same thing after the same thing and your body just got used to it. Up the speed on the treadmill try running or doing the c25k? or on the ellpitical do an cross trainer instead of just going with the same repetitive motion what you need to do and the speed you need to do it at will help to keep focus off of being bored.
Do you have a friend you can go with at least maybe a few times a week?
Also make sure you have a good place list. It will help zone out as you belt out songs in your head while doing exercise.
Just keep trying don't get discouraged. I love the gym, but even I get bored sometimes so I keep changing things up.
Also to get the whole benefits of exercise you should start thinking of changing the way you eat that can keep you sluggish and bring down some of the benefits of the gym. I understand if you can't do it all the time for whatever reason, but try starting like a couple days a week you really watch what you eat, etc.
Or, if non of these work- have you tried other gyms? Maybe you don't like the gym you go to? I went to a friends gym one day and hated it and I hated the work out and I felt if I went to that gym i would honestly never go. Sorry its a lot and all over the place, just trying to give you all different things to try 0 -
Thank you all! You are right, maybe try changing up what I eat and eat a lot healthier, kick my son out of my bed and go to a spinning class and possilby some Zumba!!!! I hope it works, I just don't want to give up0
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I personally love spinning. The instructors will usually play some really good music to keep you motivated & up to the beat. I take the class once a week, but starting next Monday I'll be switching to twice a week. I recommend it.
I also recommend investing in a Wii. Although it's not high-intensity all of the time, the games are still enjoyable, and they might be a great way to bond with your child as they grow up. Wii Sports is a lot of fun to play with kids & will come in handy when your child reaches 3, 4, & 5 because it keeps them active, too. I like Wii Sports Boxing for higher intensity & tennis when I want to cool down. If you really play instead of just sitting on the couch & swinging your arm, you get your heart rate up a little bit. Invest in the Wii Fit if you do buy one, too. I LOVE Wii Fit. It offers yoga, strength training, running, step, & several other fun & animated exercises - and it helps me keep my weight on track.
Those are just some ways to make it fun!
Good luck!0 -
You haven't found your "niche" yet. Have you tried any classes? Zumba? Yoga? Pilates? Pole dancing? Flirty Girls exercise? There are so many choices so just don't feel obligated to walking on a treadmill (gah I hate it and would rather walk outside with some scenery).I have been exercising all year. Although I still over eat, like all the time, I'm not feeling the other benefits of exercise. They say I should have more energy, I think my energy level is the same. they also say I should sleep better at night. I don't think that's possible with a 2 year old climbing in my bed and kicking me all the time.
what i have noticed is that at the gym there are so many distractions that it's hard to enjoy my time there and I get so bored on the treadmill walking and on the elliptical. the exercise bike is sooooooo boring! ugh, Im thinking about trying a spinning class. maybe that will help?
outside walking I am getting soooooo dark.. good for some.. not for me.. I'm dark enough. my son loves the fresh air but all of the bugs hitting me in the face and flying into my mouth everytime I say something is just getting on my nerves.
Exercising at home, well i get bored. I think I own almost all of Leslie Sansone's walk at home videos and although I love her b/c she can get me to sweat and really move, I know all the videos by hear! I'm basically doing the videos off memory and I can't afford to buy any more.
i just want to learn to love to exericse like the rest of you. I want to put on my happy face and go out for a speed walk and just enjoy it! I want to go to the gym and jump on the treadmill or the elliptical and smile the whole time instead of panting for air!
How did you learn to love exercise? how can I make it fun?
If someone can guarantee that the pole will hold me I will surely try it!! haha, thanks!0 -
Try to switch things up. I get bored so easily and start hating exercising if I do the same thing a lot. So I go to my library and get dvds there. It gives me a week and that way I can try a lot of different things. Maybe you could try that,
I did not know the library had those kinds of things to check out, thank u so much!0 -
Sounds like you've tried inside/outside/home/gym/class all the variations, maybe its time to give yourself a break? So you don't like exercise......I think the secret is, neither do most people! You get hot/sweaty/uncomfortable/bored/tired......you'd have to be crazy to find that combination appealing! If someone said to me you can be your ideal weight and you never had to exercise again I'd be thrilled, but the harsh reality is that ain't never gonna happen! So I grit my teeth and get on with it. Granted I have found ways of making it more 'fun' like exercising with a group of firends outdoors (bugs in my mouth and all!)......but its still a bit of a chore. But l try to just switch my brain off and just do it, like brushing my teeth, I do it everyday and will always do it!
Hope that little insight into what makes me tick is useful
Abby
Somerset, England UK0 -
You should wear good sun block when you walk outside, that helps prevent your skin getting darker. And also protects you from the threats of skin cancer! The fresh air is good. The bugs, they're just part of being outside I guess.
My only suggestion is find something that's fun for you. Not everyone loves to exercise. I love the way I feel after I do it, but I get painfully bored on a treadmill or elliptical, and honestly the gym just irritates me. I like to ride my bikd outdoors and take in the scenery. I've found that taking some classes gets me more energized now. I love Zumba, even though sometimes I feel like i'm an Ox on rollerskates - so not coordinated. But I laugh a lot and keep on moving, so it makes it a very entertaining activity for me. I like the social atmosphere of a class and feel more motivated to keep moving, since everyone else is.
Other ideas are just dancing at home. Do you like music? Put on your favorite music and spend 30 minutes just dancing yourself around the house. Get crazy and do all those dance moves you don't want anyone seeing you do! Exercise doesn't have to be just going to a gym or walking. You can jump rope, play hop scotch, just get moving.
Do you have cable TV with On-Demand? There are tons of great videos you can use for free on a lot of those ON Demands. There are hip hop dance videos, kickboxing, belly dancing....so many things to try that you might find more fun. Mix it up and enjoy it.
What about finding a friend to walk with? You can talk and laugh and almost forget that you're out there. That used to help me a lot. Since I've moved, I don't have anyone to walk with, so my music gets me through. But that talking time makes a huge difference.
It's a constant struggle. But the benefits you are giving your body, are so worth it. You want to be a healthy momma for that beautiful baby. And to teach good habits. Hang in there and don't give up! Get creative, and you'll find a good fit for yourself.0 -
Everything I was going to say has been said. I love working out to music, and therefore love going on long runs. I also run on the track at the gym when it's too hot out. I like trying new classes at the gym, even though I've been mostly disappointed. It took five different Zumba classes with 4 different instructors for me to finally enjoy it... the difference was doing it with a friend instead of alone! I used to do a combination of Pilates and turbo kickboxing at my old gym, and I was in really great shape! Just a few idea
We also have an XBox Kinect with the game Dance Central... best workout ever if you don't want to work out at all. My favorite song to dance to is Soulja Boy - Crank Dat and Hey Mami by FannyPack. Fun fun fun!
.
Hope you find something that works for you!0 -
Hey girl, some people just aren't exercise fanatics and that's fine. But I feel like you can train yourself to love it over time. Find some type of exercise that you enjoy doing so it doesn't feel like a chore or work. Exercise classes, like zumba, kickboxing, or spinning, make working out fun. Maybe try to get a workout buddy so it's a social event and a workout at the same time (although focus more on the workout and don't chat too much! Lol). Also, a good playlist on your ipod helps a lot.
I think I will try getting some new music and asking a friend to go with me!!! thanks0 -
I know exactly what you are talking about. I tried exercising at home, going to a gym and doing the elliptical and treadmill and nothing motivated me...until...I found my local boxing fitness club. Now I am addicted. I never thought that I would be 'that' person that loved going to work out. I feel great after the class is over, like I really accomplished something. I think if you find something/someone (instructor) that motivates you, you will stick with it. Hopefully your gym has classes you can join. That works the best so you know you have to be there at a certain time, which will help you make sure you go...Good luck to you! You can do it!0
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You should wear good sun block when you walk outside, that helps prevent your skin getting darker. And also protects you from the threats of skin cancer! The fresh air is good. The bugs, they're just part of being outside I guess.
My only suggestion is find something that's fun for you. Not everyone loves to exercise. I love the way I feel after I do it, but I get painfully bored on a treadmill or elliptical, and honestly the gym just irritates me. I like to ride my bikd outdoors and take in the scenery. I've found that taking some classes gets me more energized now. I love Zumba, even though sometimes I feel like i'm an Ox on rollerskates - so not coordinated. But I laugh a lot and keep on moving, so it makes it a very entertaining activity for me. I like the social atmosphere of a class and feel more motivated to keep moving, since everyone else is.
Other ideas are just dancing at home. Do you like music? Put on your favorite music and spend 30 minutes just dancing yourself around the house. Get crazy and do all those dance moves you don't want anyone seeing you do! Exercise doesn't have to be just going to a gym or walking. You can jump rope, play hop scotch, just get moving.
Do you have cable TV with On-Demand? There are tons of great videos you can use for free on a lot of those ON Demands. There are hip hop dance videos, kickboxing, belly dancing....so many things to try that you might find more fun. Mix it up and enjoy it.
What about finding a friend to walk with? You can talk and laugh and almost forget that you're out there. That used to help me a lot. Since I've moved, I don't have anyone to walk with, so my music gets me through. But that talking time makes a huge difference.
It's a constant struggle. But the benefits you are giving your body, are so worth it. You want to be a healthy momma for that beautiful baby. And to teach good habits. Hang in there and don't give up! Get creative, and you'll find a good fit for yourself.
We do have cable, the direct tv I think, i sure hope we have those videos!! thank u sooo much! sunblock, I can do that and the bugs, well I guess I will have to keep my mouth shut! thanks soooooooooo much for your help!0 -
I know exactly what you are talking about. I tried exercising at home, going to a gym and doing the elliptical and treadmill and nothing motivated me...until...I found my local boxing fitness club. Now I am addicted. I never thought that I would be 'that' person that loved going to work out. I feel great after the class is over, like I really accomplished something. I think if you find something/someone (instructor) that motivates you, you will stick with it. Hopefully your gym has classes you can join. That works the best so you know you have to be there at a certain time, which will help you make sure you go...Good luck to you! You can do it!
Thank u! I have heard of kickboxing classes at the ymca, but I think I will try one to see if it will help out!!0 -
Another thing I've been doing on days when I have to use the gym machines - I've started praying while I walk/cycle/elliptical. Honestly, it started with "Dear God, please get me throug this!" hahaha. But later I started trying to use the time to pray on things, be grateful that I have this body and can still get it moving every day, and pray for strength to treat it with respect, etc. etc.
I know, not everyone is into prayer, but sometimes it just puts a new spin on the exercise I'm doing. And I feel good.0 -
It really is about finding something that you somewhat enjoy and building on that. I dreaded going to the gym and getting on the elliptical or treadmill before my weight was down some. My feet would hurt, I was counting the seconds until I could get off the darn machine and there was never anything I wanted to watch on the TV. Now I enjoy it. I live in the south and it's so nice to be able to get my exercise in the air conditioning! I walk my dogs when the weather is good and on the weekends early in the morning, but the other days I head to the gym. I prefer being outdoors, but it's just plain too hot some days. I actually feel antsy if I skip working out. And I will say, I sleep a whole lot better at night!0
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I have never been a excersise person.. Im very clumbsy and can hurt myself walking up stairs.lol.. that said.
I have 5 children so I know all about 2 year olds climbing in mine seams to do that everynight. I was thinking do u have netflix? Netflix has a lot of work out video's up and running I have found some very helpful. I like to walk.. I walk alot.. I live in the south and its really hot here so I havent been doing that much but today im starting the yoga/ work outs on netflix.. and going to throw in my RS.. Sweating dvd's in the mix. for fun.. I just have to make myself do it.. after awhile its just like part of my day and when I miss for the day I feel like something is missing.. Don't give up you can do it!!!0
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