how to not hate exercise?
laurenq1991
Posts: 384 Member
I've tried so many times to get into an exercise routine but I can't make it happen because I hate exercise. I've never been overweight but also haven't been in shape for most of my life.
*I hate the feeling of getting sweaty and itchy.
*I hate getting out of breath and feeling like I'm about to die. In middle school we measured VO2Max and I had the second lowest in the class -- the lowest was someone whose parents were chain smokers.
*I hate going to the gym. I don't drive so it's very annoying to get there, they play annoying music so loudly that even if you have something else in your headphones you can hear their music over it, and I hate working out in public.
*I also hate exercising outside. Even walking is not as enjoyable as it once was between the bad drivers and poorly trained dogs, and with those two things and the broken sidewalks in my town, running or biking are out of the question.
*I hate that it takes out half my day between getting ready, doing exercise, showering, and the exhaustion afterwards. After exercising I feel so exhausted that I can hardly do anything for the rest of the day and hardly even get up.
*I also have bad associations with exercise because one of the worst times of my life was when I was on the track team in high school, and my physical health was terrible during that time (I was constantly exhausted and lost my period for six months) because the workouts were so draining.
*I don't get any kind of "runner's high."
*It's possible I might have mild exercise intolerance.
How can I make exercise not suck? I know I'm never going to do it unless I can find some way to enjoy it. I don't get how other people can be excited to work out. My husband gets pissed off if he can't run for an hour every day and he's constantly judging me for being "too lazy" to work out.
*I hate the feeling of getting sweaty and itchy.
*I hate getting out of breath and feeling like I'm about to die. In middle school we measured VO2Max and I had the second lowest in the class -- the lowest was someone whose parents were chain smokers.
*I hate going to the gym. I don't drive so it's very annoying to get there, they play annoying music so loudly that even if you have something else in your headphones you can hear their music over it, and I hate working out in public.
*I also hate exercising outside. Even walking is not as enjoyable as it once was between the bad drivers and poorly trained dogs, and with those two things and the broken sidewalks in my town, running or biking are out of the question.
*I hate that it takes out half my day between getting ready, doing exercise, showering, and the exhaustion afterwards. After exercising I feel so exhausted that I can hardly do anything for the rest of the day and hardly even get up.
*I also have bad associations with exercise because one of the worst times of my life was when I was on the track team in high school, and my physical health was terrible during that time (I was constantly exhausted and lost my period for six months) because the workouts were so draining.
*I don't get any kind of "runner's high."
*It's possible I might have mild exercise intolerance.
How can I make exercise not suck? I know I'm never going to do it unless I can find some way to enjoy it. I don't get how other people can be excited to work out. My husband gets pissed off if he can't run for an hour every day and he's constantly judging me for being "too lazy" to work out.
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Replies
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Don't exercise?
Weight loss is about creating a calorie deficit, and you do that with your diet.24 -
You don't have to exercise to lose weight, it's about a calorie deficit exercise is for overall health. As for your husband judging you for being lazy that's just unacceptable he is supposed to love/support you7
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quiksylver296 wrote: »Don't exercise?
Weight loss is about creating a calorie deficit, and you do that with your diet.You don't have to exercise to lose weight, it's about a calorie deficit exercise is for overall health. As for your husband judging you for being lazy that's just unacceptable he is supposed to love/support you
I'm not trying to exercise to lose weight. I want to get stronger and reduce the risk of developing chronic health conditions.11 -
Is there a sport you would like to play? What about swimming or water aerobics?3
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MommyLifts3 wrote: »Is there a sport you would like to play? What about swimming or water aerobics?
I'm terrible at any sport involving a ball (was always the last picked kid in gym class). Swimming is ok but the only gym in my area with a pool is five miles away and is very annoying to get to without a car. It also costs over twice as much as the membership I have now. I used to have a membership there but I could only go about once a week which wasn't really worth it. Also since I hadn't gone swimming in about 14 years I didn't have very good form and private lessons would be very expensive.
Eventually I cancelled my membership after one time I went there and there was some kind of kids' swimming class going on there, the adult swimmers were relegated to one tiny lane, and all the parents were taking up all the free space just sitting there watching their kids (in an already supervised class!) and some idiot parent actually sat on my stuff when I put it down in the one free spot. I'm not going to pay that much to feel like a second class citizen and I wasn't going often enough anyway.0 -
laurenq1991 wrote: »quiksylver296 wrote: »Don't exercise?
Weight loss is about creating a calorie deficit, and you do that with your diet.You don't have to exercise to lose weight, it's about a calorie deficit exercise is for overall health. As for your husband judging you for being lazy that's just unacceptable he is supposed to love/support you
I'm not trying to exercise to lose weight. I want to get stronger and reduce the risk of developing chronic health conditions.
Sorry i assumed being on her meant you were trying to lose weight missed the I've never been overweight part of your post. I don't like exercise either tbh but I still do it I have 2 dogs that NEED to be walked and I chose exercise programs that last a certain amount of time so I know when they will end then I pick something else so I don't get as bored and can take some time off after each program1 -
Find something that moves you...body, mind and spirit. For me, it's dancing. So much so that I became a facilitator for Body Groove dance. I hated the gym, and traditional cardio fitness. When you find something you enjoy, you will look forward to it instead of dreading it. Find what moves you!5
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Find some videos on YouTube or pick up some DVDs and workout at home. You can pick up kettlebells or dumbells from pretty much anywhere (Target, Walmart,Academy Sports, etc) and not break the bank. As far as the not liking the "sweaty" feeling, I really don't know what to tell you. That may be something you just have to learn to live with. Work out in the evening and then jump straight in the shower when you're done.3
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Sorry i assumed being on her meant you were trying to lose weight missed the I've never been overweight part of your post. I don't like exercise either tbh but I still do it I have 2 dogs that NEED to be walked and I chose exercise programs that last a certain amount of time so I know when they will end then I pick something else so I don't get as bored and can take some time off after each program
I do walk a lot due to not having a car (and carrying the laundry up and down three flights of stairs and pushing it in a cart over the broken sidewalks a mile round trip to the laundromat technically counts as a small "workout") but I'm talking more about aerobic exercise and strength training.
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A lot of "I hate"...
Nobody can help you until you give up one of those "I hate".
Give up one and start there. 😉50 -
laurenq1991 wrote: »Sorry i assumed being on her meant you were trying to lose weight missed the I've never been overweight part of your post. I don't like exercise either tbh but I still do it I have 2 dogs that NEED to be walked and I chose exercise programs that last a certain amount of time so I know when they will end then I pick something else so I don't get as bored and can take some time off after each program
I do walk a lot due to not having a car (and carrying the laundry up and down three flights of stairs and pushing it in a cart over the broken sidewalks a mile round trip to the laundromat technically counts as a small "workout") but I'm talking more about aerobic exercise and strength training.
Yes as I said I chose programs like 5 week slim down, 14 day challenge etc so I know they have a start finish date and just commit to doing it if I know it has a end date it makes it easier (for me) then when it's over I'll have a break and chose something new to do for X amount of time2 -
Find something that moves you...body, mind and spirit. For me, it's dancing. So much so that I became a facilitator for Body Groove dance. I hated the gym, and traditional cardio fitness. When you find something you enjoy, you will look forward to it instead of dreading it. Find what moves you!
The only sport that really has appealed to me in that way is hiking, but I only can go hiking a few times a year at most because I don't live in that kind of area. Even the larger parks are at least a 20 minute drive away.englishmuffinruns wrote: »Find some videos on YouTube or pick up some DVDs and workout at home. You can pick up kettlebells or dumbells from pretty much anywhere (Target, Walmart,Academy Sports, etc) and not break the bank. As far as the not liking the "sweaty" feeling, I really don't know what to tell you. That may be something you just have to learn to live with. Work out in the evening and then jump straight in the shower when you're done.
We already have weights at home and an exercise bike (the exercise bike is for my disabled MIL's physical therapy but my husband and I also use it). I have also done workout videos before. Whenever I work out I do it in the evening and shower immediately afterwards. That doesn't make me hate it any less or feel more motivated to do it every day. Right now I work out (ie. at the gym or with my bike/weights) maybe 3 to 4 times a month. I guess part of the problem is that it's also boring. Like if you're hiking there's a point to it, to experience nature, but lifting something repeatedly or biking in place doesn't seem to have any point to it.
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IT ME!
https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10466275/i-hate-exercise/p1
Unfortunately, my solution was "suck it up and do it anyway."27 -
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What about yoga or pilates, have you ever tried those?9
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As @clicketykeys said, you basically have to suck it up and do it. Which do you hate more? Working out or lacking the strength you say you want?
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I started 10yr ago hating exercise. Now it is a mild dislike.
Even though I hated it, I knew it was good for me.
I knew I didn’t have the motivation or discipline to work out at home so
I started with just 3x60 a week aqua fit.
I didn’t like the sweaty out of breath experience either. Being in the water meant I didn’t feel sweaty, I also meant I could adjust my exertion to suit my fitness level.
The first few weeks were exhausting for me, I walked in place every few minutes just to catch my breath and let my muscles recover.
From there I have done all kinds of classes, competitively walked 10kms, am learning to swim, etc, etc.
The key for me has been doing a bit of everything, and telling myself ‘it is only 1hr out of 24, I can do that’ almost every single day for 10yr.
Like I said, it is a mild dislike now.
What I do like is what I can do in everyday life, and especially on vacation, because I am so much fitter.
If you prefer to work out at home there are some good routines on YouTube for walking at home, yoga, and Pilates. I also like Nerdfitness and Hasfit for an intro to bodyweight and (light) weight training.
Sometimes you just have to do the work to get the benefits, and I like the benefits, fitness and how I look, to keep doing the work.
Sorry that was long, but you sound just like I did. Healthy weight (though I had too much fat),with a poor fitness level and an aversion to exercise.
Start with your calories, and add 10min of activity if that is all you feel you can do. Progress from there.
Cheers, h.14 -
laurenq1991 wrote: »Find something that moves you...body, mind and spirit. For me, it's dancing. So much so that I became a facilitator for Body Groove dance. I hated the gym, and traditional cardio fitness. When you find something you enjoy, you will look forward to it instead of dreading it. Find what moves you!
The only sport that really has appealed to me in that way is hiking, but I only can go hiking a few times a year at most because I don't live in that kind of area. Even the larger parks are at least a 20 minute drive away.englishmuffinruns wrote: »Find some videos on YouTube or pick up some DVDs and workout at home. You can pick up kettlebells or dumbells from pretty much anywhere (Target, Walmart,Academy Sports, etc) and not break the bank. As far as the not liking the "sweaty" feeling, I really don't know what to tell you. That may be something you just have to learn to live with. Work out in the evening and then jump straight in the shower when you're done.
We already have weights at home and an exercise bike (the exercise bike is for my disabled MIL's physical therapy but my husband and I also use it). I have also done workout videos before. Whenever I work out I do it in the evening and shower immediately afterwards. That doesn't make me hate it any less or feel more motivated to do it every day. Right now I work out (ie. at the gym or with my bike/weights) maybe 3 to 4 times a month. I guess part of the problem is that it's also boring. Like if you're hiking there's a point to it, to experience nature, but lifting something repeatedly or biking in place doesn't seem to have any point to it.
Well, you've been given some good suggestions here. You have alot of excuses, but no one else can really say what will do it for you. It's up to you to figure that out. For me, there is a point to what I do. It moves me, it releases stress, it just feels really damn good to move my body to music.12 -
MonkeyMel21 wrote: »What about yoga or pilates, have you ever tried those?
I haven't tried pilates (don't really know what it is), have taken yoga classes in school and don't consider it to be a workout.4 -
laurenq1991 wrote: »
Which is exactly why I'm asking how people stop hating exercise....
Write those of "I hate" on piece of paper.. fold.. and put it in a hat.. until you have all your "I hate"..
Close your eyes.. pick one from a hat... And start there.. only you can make a choice..
Ppl can give you advice all day.. not gonna matter unless you give up the "I hate"..
Unless is medical reason that you can't. That's different story.15 -
If you are exhausted after exercise, I would believe you are starting out way too hard.
If you suspect exercise intolerance, you might want to check with your physician and determine whether there is a physical condition you may need to treat that underlies your aversion.
If your doctor rules out physical, and you really care about being stronger and the health benefits of exercise, possibly some therapy focused around this? I say this as a person who has benefited immensely, no judging here!
If you are just working with your own attitude about exercise: nice looking, well-fitting, comfortable, kinda cute workout clothes and shoes are motivating even if you are the only one who sees them. Good tech fabrics reduce chafing/itching/sweating to almost nothing. Plus once you invest, there's the added motivation of using them so you don't waste the money
Do you enjoy music? earbuds, cute workout clothes, dance in the living room while hubs is out running, shower, DONE.
Yoga is wonderful ... and there are tons of online resources from demanding to contemplative. Again cute workout clothes, go.
The new wearable fitness devices are great for tracking progress in goals. Step counting and heart rate monitoring are not just for athletes, they're for everyone trying to get stronger. Trick it out like jewelry, load the phone app and it's fun, too.
Best of luck with improving your health 3 -
I'm not crazy about flossing my teeth or doing laundry or bathing the dog. They're just things I do because they need to be done.23
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laurenq1991 wrote: »MonkeyMel21 wrote: »What about yoga or pilates, have you ever tried those?
I haven't tried pilates (don't really know what it is), have taken yoga classes in school and don't consider it to be a workout.
Yoga can be very beneficial. It's not cardio, no, but it improves strength and flexibility and can decrease stress and anxiety. You said you don't like sweating and feeling out of breath, yoga would be good for avoiding those.11 -
englishmuffinruns wrote: »As @clicketykeys said, you basically have to suck it up and do it. Which do you hate more? Working out or lacking the strength you say you want?
Part of the problem is that I don't know that working out would even do anything for that. When I was on the track team and doing intense runs and conditioning workouts 6 days a week for 2 to 2.5 hours a day, I didn't feel any different about my body and didn't think I looked much different either. I also didn't feel any stronger. In fact quite the opposite, I felt like my body was falling apart at the seams. So while society constantly talks up the benefits of exercise I've never really seen it. It never gave me more energy either, quite the opposite.Ppl can give you advice all day.. not gonna matter unless you give up the "I hate"..
Unless is medical reason that you can't. That's different story.
Well that's part of the problem. I don't know if there is a medical reason or not. I don't know if it's normal to feel completely drained for the entire rest of the day after working out. It doesn't seem that other people have that problem.
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I don't exactly hate lifting weights, but it's not my favorite thing in the world. It's one of those things I just do...I do a full body program and currently run it 2x per week and it takes me about 30-40 minutes, so not a big deal in the grand scheme of things.
Other than that, I just tried a myriad of different things until I finally discovered cycling...I love riding my bike.
I don't do any kind of grueling "crush it"..."go big or go home" type of workouts...they really aren't necessary. Most of my weekday rides are 30-45 minutes because that's what I have time for. Weekends I try to get out for an hour...maybe 90 minutes or two hours depending on what other things are going on.
I don't really see how exercise takes up half of your day. I lift weights a couple times per week during my lunch break...getting clothes on, getting to the gym, working out and getting back to work takes me all of an hour out of my day.7 -
brightresolve wrote: »If you are exhausted after exercise, I would believe you are starting out way too hard.
I don't think I am though because for example I can only run like a 12 minute mile now (as opposed to around 7 minutes when I was on the track team) and it still completely exhausts me.If you suspect exercise intolerance, you might want to check with your physician and determine whether there is a physical condition you may need to treat that underlies your aversion.
I've gotten a bunch of tests and they have never found anything except low vitamin D.If your doctor rules out physical, and you really care about being stronger and the health benefits of exercise, possibly some therapy focused around this? I say this as a person who has benefited immensely, no judging here!
Therapy isn't an option for me due to past abuses by a therapist. I have OCD and PTSD too but can't get treatment.If you are just working with your own attitude about exercise: nice looking, well-fitting, comfortable, kinda cute workout clothes and shoes are motivating even if you are the only one who sees them. Good tech fabrics reduce chafing/itching/sweating to almost nothing. Plus once you invest, there's the added motivation of using them so you don't waste the money
Actually whenever I wear synthetic clothes to work out I itch really badly. I can only wear cotton pants and a cotton t-shirt.Do you enjoy music? earbuds, cute workout clothes, dance in the living room while hubs is out running, shower, DONE.
Whenever I work out to music it just ends up ruining the music. I usually work out to the PBS News Hour or a true crime podcast. But finding media to play in the background isn't really the problem. It feels pointless even if I do that.Yoga is wonderful ... and there are tons of online resources from demanding to contemplative. Again cute workout clothes, go.
I might look into it. I still don't really understand how it qualifies as a workout though.Best of luck with improving your healthcwolfman13 wrote: »I don't really see how exercise takes up half of your day. I lift weights a couple times per week during my lunch break...getting clothes on, getting to the gym, working out and getting back to work takes me all of an hour out of my day.
Because it makes me so exhausted that I can hardly get anything done the rest of the day.2 -
If you feel that bad after working out, you really should see a doctor. You could be anemic, have a thyroid issue, or any number of things. Last year I started falling asleep at 8:00pm, after working and going to the gym. I felt like crap. Had some tests done and it turns out I have myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease that can cause weakness and fatigue. I'm by no means saying YOU have this, but if you feel that bad you aren't doing yourself any favors not to be seen by a physician.7
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laurenq1991 wrote: »
Well that's part of the problem. I don't know if there is a medical reason or not. I don't know if it's normal to feel completely drained for the entire rest of the day after working out. It doesn't seem that other people have that problem.
When's the last time you saw a doctor.. check your blood work etc?
Start there..
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laurenq1991 wrote: »I don't know if there is a medical reason or not. I don't know if it's normal to feel completely drained for the entire rest of the day after working out. It doesn't seem that other people have that problem.
Make an appointment with your physician, discuss these issues, and find out.
My experience is when I dive into a new exercise program or intensify, I have a couple of tough weeks with feeling tired, needing more sleep, needing good calories (protein and healthy carbs!) and having sore muscles. This is adaptation. Rest days build the muscle, so those 6-day weeks from high school may not be your friend now that you're not a teenager (I assume?)
You are not the only person who has a hard time choosing to exercise. Every time I let myself get deconditioned it's hard to want to start up again. Hugs and good luck!3 -
Work out at home, inside. Find some kind of steady state cardio that you can do at a barely moderate pace - whether it's a YT workout or a treadmill or whatever, you control the level of effort, so just keep it dialed back to where you don't get out of breathe. Kick up the AC a little while you're working out or get a fan. Pedal on the bike while watching a TV show you'd watch anyway.
Or don't. It sounds like you go into each possibility assuming you're going to hate it, and have built all these constraints in your mind that makes anything that might not be awful "not a workout". You can always choose not to exercise outside of your purposeful walking. Life is full of choosing between two mildly crappy options.
I do lots of stuff I don't particularly enjoy because it accomplishes something, for me that includes working out. I'd rather not be a lump, so I put on my shorts and tee and I do a half hour in front of the TV. I don't particularly enjoy it, but I don't enjoy vacuuming or commuting to work or brushing my teeth either. But they accomplish something. Sometimes you just have to put on a happy face, remind yourself "why" you're doing something, and then just try to not mind it too much. Through the years I've surprised myself and found a couple of workout programs I actually sometimes (not always) enjoy. The rest of the time I just put on my big girl pants and get it done so I can reach my goals and get on with my life. Hope you figure it out!13
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