Exercise Avoidance

feistykitteh
feistykitteh Posts: 8 Member
edited November 14 in Health and Weight Loss
I used to exercise daily since about June (when I was diagnosed with gall stones.....gall bladder removed in August and I got straight back to exercising). For some reason, which escapes me now, I stopped jogging (treadmill) about mid November.

I just don't seem to have the drive to get back into it. I mean I will seriously find anything else to do instead (like repack cupboards, clean, read) anything else. :# It's also Summer time here right now and I'm pretty much a blob of goo in the heat, could that be a contributing factor?

Does anyone have any hints/tips to help me get focused on hopping back onto the treadmil? Please. o:)

Replies

  • Henzcass1
    Henzcass1 Posts: 17 Member
    Could be your body needs a change up, try walking either early morning or in the evening?
  • MsAmandaNJ
    MsAmandaNJ Posts: 1,248 Member
    Time of day could be all you need, I like that comment. The lack of drive is difficult. Try doing different things on the treadmill, see what happens. You might have to force yourself to get on it, but might stay out of enjoyment. Maybe there is another form of exercise you might prefer now that you've been gone from running for a while. Do you like to dance?

    What happened in mid-November?
  • spzjlb
    spzjlb Posts: 602 Member
    Why not start simply? Don't be too hard on yourself. Two approaches that I have used with success:

    Go for a very short time - Just have a goal of an easy 10 min on the treadmill (or whatever). Ten min is better than nothing and it's not too hard, especially given that you likely have a good fitness base. Chances are good that you'll do a bit more than 10 min. Just do it. Even 5 min, to help you get back into things.

    Go easy so as not to discourage yourself even before you start - So, don't turn yourself off by planning on a really tough workout. Who wants to do something that hurts? Plan for something easy, but move.

    When I was having trouble getting into a routine exercise regime, I would simply walk on the treadmill (or something easy) for 45 min while listening to nice music, a podcast or watching some enjoyable TV. A good walk is better than nothing and can help you transition to a short jog.

    Of course, as others have posted, trying a new form of exercise could be just what you need. I tend to think that now is the time to just get moving with something really easy for you to do.
  • snowflake954
    snowflake954 Posts: 8,399 Member
    I also have a hard time exercising when it gets hot--I just feel wiped out. The only thing I can do is swim.
  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,744 Member
    Yes, I think seasonal changes effect our energy levels. I'd suggest finding a different activity if possible. Walking is great but there are lots of other things to do also. Having a variety of options helps alleviate boredom and therefore, avoidance.
  • kami3006
    kami3006 Posts: 4,979 Member
    Experimenting to find something you'll enjoy would be the best thing. I couldn't stick with anything until I started lifting.

    In the mean time though, getting your blood pumping before getting on the treadmill may help put you in a better frame of mind. Crank up the radio and dance around the house. It should perk up your mood and hopefully get you going.
  • Raynne413
    Raynne413 Posts: 1,527 Member
    Maybe find something other than the treadmill? I hate machines, but I love doing zumba and kickboxing! And I'll do my strength training while watching Netflix.
  • Joanna2012B
    Joanna2012B Posts: 1,448 Member
    Walking, cycling, swimming are all great forms of exercise that can be done in the heat. The heat definitely affects my running. I am loving our Canadian weather right now...yes snow and all!!
  • tcunbeliever
    tcunbeliever Posts: 8,219 Member
    the treadmill is boring, but I can enjoy it if I'm watching TV, so as a general rule I don't watch TV unless I get my booty on the treadmill
  • Machka9
    Machka9 Posts: 25,687 Member
    Just go for a walk as part of your commute or to run errands. That's a start. :)
  • SusanMFindlay
    SusanMFindlay Posts: 1,804 Member
    Bribe yourself? Not with food, but with a nice long shower or bubble bath afterward? Or by reminding yourself that you can listen to your favourite music or watch your favourite TV show while you're on the treadmill? Or whatever thing like that you'd enjoy?

    Personally, I can't stand a treadmill and prefer to be active outside whenever possible - but I'm assuming you like it since you used to do it. Ideally, the bribery is only necessary until you get into the habit of exercising (though there's certainly no reason not to treat yourself in those ways anyway).
  • SLLeask
    SLLeask Posts: 489 Member
    I love running outside in the heat, can't run in the cold as my throat and lungs really hurt. I stick on my baseball cap and sunnies, strap on my 3 litre camelbak, crank up the music (I'm in the Southern Hemisphere so have the Christmas tunes on at the moment) and walk / trot for miles in the sun. I love coming back home dripping wet and then having a lovely cool shower. Always feel very accomplished, fresh and fit! :D
  • irandra23
    irandra23 Posts: 35 Member
    I hate the treadmill too so i decided to try different types of work outs till i found the one i enjoy doing. Your exercise regiment should be restricted to the treadmill you can still try other ways or getting a work out in.
    If you enjoy it, you will look forward to doing it so get something you can stick to.
  • Arizona_C
    Arizona_C Posts: 1,476 Member
    Making only small commitmens is a really good idea. When I don't feel likerunning, I force myself just to put my basket on and get out of the house.

    I most often loathe this, so I try not to pay attention to the negative thoughts, and do it bacause I have decided it. I basically don't give myself a choice. I only commit to put on my baskets and get out of the house.

    Once on the street, I jog a little, and most often like it, so I do a run, short or middle distance.

    I start my iPod first thing, even before putting on my baskets. It help me to get more upbeat while preparing and on the first minutes in the street.
  • Wicked_Seraph
    Wicked_Seraph Posts: 388 Member
    I've found that it's nigh impossible for me to get myself out running if I'm not working towards something. My solution? Always have something to work on!

    For example, I trained to get up to 5K earlier this year. Hit my goal... and stagnated. Set a new goal of hitting 10K and running at the Turkey Trot this year. Hit my goal... and stagnated (plus turned into a piggy for the entire two weeks after Thanksgiving). Now, I've set a goal to get to half-marathon distance and find a half-marathon to run. Like 'magic,' this morning I managed to kick my *kitten* out of bed and go running.

    Also... consider not running on a treadmill. I find it damn near impossible to look forward to running on a treadmill... but outside? Sure! If it's not possible where you are (snow, heat, etc.), consider giving yourself a treat for those runs, like a show you really enjoy or a podcast you find interesting. Give yourself a rule that you can ONLY watch or listen to it when you run.
  • JeromeBarry1
    JeromeBarry1 Posts: 10,179 Member
    I also have not exercised as I did earlier in the year. Perhaps it is due to the shorter days in the northern part of the globe.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    For one thing, If all I did was treadmill for months, I'd probably have some avoidance issues as well. Maybe mix things up a bit...go to a fitness class at a nearby gym...also, many community centers offer various fitness classes.

    Secondly, for me at least, winter is always kind of my "down time"...There's nothing particularly going on in the cycling world so it's basically "off season" which is probably a good thing in some respects as I'm usually a bit beat up and frankly a bit burnt from going at it for about 9 months. I still ride, and this year I bought an indoor trainer so I don't have as many excuses as I've had in the past, but I take it a bit easier and give myself a bit of a break for a few months.

    I think this also works out because frankly with the days being shorter and darker, I just have less get up and go...pitch dark in the morning and cold...pitch black in the evening and cold...but I know from past experience that Spring will start rolling in around here in February and I'll be all full of piss and vinegar again and ready to tackle the upcoming cycling season with new races and new rides and things to check off the bucket list.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,598 Member
    Any chance your calorie deficit has caught up with you, in the sense that you've been eating at a big enough deficit for long enough that your energy is suffering from the cumulative effect?

    I totally agree with the seasonal thing as a possible reason, as is boredom, but if you've been losing weight at a steady clip since June, perhaps it would be worth considering a break at maintenance calories for a bit (few weeks).
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