exercise: what if i HATE EVERYTHING?

I will just add that you don't need to exercise to lose weight but exercise does a whole lot more for your health than that, especially as we continue to age. Do you like to ride a bike for fun? Go ballroom or country-western dancing? Horseback riding? Tennis? There are so many forms of "exercise" that are just fun activities. What do you do to relax when you're not buried in the books?

There's a little device you can put under your desk to pedal while you work. It's not much, but it is something--and if you do it consistently over the course of the day, it will burn some calories.

Also, think about walking as wandering, not exercise. Wandering helps me get out to walk when I need to--I love jogging but hate "walking." So I head to a beautiful place at the right time of day (when the weather is hot, that's early am, even in Florida--where I spend part of my summer. And I jog after sunset), and give myself permission to wander--take my time, enjoy the scenery, and not worry about "exercise." I might take 50% longer than a simple, focused "walk" would take, but I enjoy it and am much more likely to do it again. And many times, I am up for walking (a steady, brisker pace of about 3-3.5 mph) which gives me a more concentrated cardiovascular workout.

I hate swimming laps, but I enjoy playing in a pool. I'm 60 and still do a lot of somersaults and handstands. Hanging out in the deeper water, treading water and fooling around for 30 minutes is a good way to burn more cals without really feeling it.

Try bowling or dance class, or anything that gets you out and moving a bit more. It doesn't have to be "exercise." My wandering keeps me out of the house--and away from food--for more time than a quick walk does. My swimming does the same. And, b/c I don't push myself at either, I often find I spend a lot more time and enjoy it more. It's a win-win. I think most people "hate" exercise b/c they won't give themselves permission to slow down and just enjoy moving, sunlight, and fresh air (if you are outside). But, that SHOULD be the way to start-slowly, enjoying it. Slow down, stop (take breaks); enjoy it. Maybe you will someday be inspired to push a little--maybe not. It won't matter b/c you will already be doing something that will contribute to healthier "old age."

The way I see it, you have 3 choices:
1) don't exercise. But you need to adjust your calories. If you're gaining a lb a day, you're overeating ALOT.
2) Hate it but do it anyway. We all have to do things we don't like, but we're adults and that's life.
3) The one I recommend - find something you don't hate.

Although you don't think yoga will help you burn calories, it will actually improve core strength, increasing muscle (albeit slowly) and increasing your metabolism making it easier to burn calories.
Have you thought about Pilates? You can do that at home in your living room. Other low-activity sports: curling, bowls, bowling, recreational ice skating/quad skating, walking, leisurely swim.

I dislike exercise a lot. I do it but I will never be one of those who enjoy it. I find setting goals for myself helps keep me motivated. I started by walking a mile in about 20 minutes... I decided I am going to run a 5k.... So that is now my goal and I am up to 2.5 miles in about 30 minutes. If I don't have a plan or a goal it just is not happening. I have seen many benefits from being more active aside from weight loss. Sleeping better, less stress etc and it has helped keep me going. I also buy shirts that say things like "I hate you. I hate this place. See you tomorrow". Finding humor in it helps

Hey Rothko, they say you can't exercise off a bad diet, so it's fork control 101 for you! You've been successful with weightwatchers, why not give it another go? One way or another you will have to get those calories under control, but there are many fun ways to do it, just keep studying it and tweaking your life until it's perfect.

Exercise is a great thing to get hooked on, because I truly believe it will be the difference in how we enjoy that last decade or so. Wanna be in a wheelchair or behind a walker? Me neither!
In music, they say the best instrument to play is the one you love to practice. It goes the same for fitness! I would highly recommend watching more ESPN and sports, and consider hey maybe you'd like tennis, or swimming, or jogging, or one of those boxing workout gyms where you do some aerobics and then hit the bags. There are loads of fitness things to join where it's 8 weeks of this or 10 weeks of that at your community center. Why not try a few? You'll meet tons of cool people. You may find out that you're a natural at ping pong, or some other fun thing!

Good luck!
JS