Exercise isnt my thing

Tanya_IP
Tanya_IP Posts: 62 Member
edited November 12 in Fitness and Exercise
Just wondering if anyone has any tips for someone like me who IS NOT into exersice. I have been doing little walks here and there through out the day. I really find it hard to get motivated to do much more than that! Is there any fun exercises anyone can recommend? A couple years ago I use to love to exercise daily...but now I guess I turned lazy! Thanks for the advice!
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Replies

  • TransTina
    TransTina Posts: 82
    walking is great.

    Just try to build up the distance/pace over time, and you will see it working! xx
  • lizard053
    lizard053 Posts: 2,344 Member
    I always HATED exercise, with passion. I have found certain "exercises" that I love. Yoga, dancing, kickboxing and tai chi. All of them are great workouts too. I was the girl who looked for any reason possible to skip gym class. Took the bare minimum in college too. Now, I LOVE a good workout. I've started running and going to be doing a lifting program soon too. I love the endorphin rush following a great workout. Trust me, it's worth it!
  • deksgrl
    deksgrl Posts: 7,237 Member
    I don't like the word exercise. I like to do fun things, but I don't like to HAVE to do something. The word implies something hard that you have to do. The trick is to try some different things to find out what you might enjoy.

    I used to go to Zumba class and loved it. It's a great workout and the time goes really fast. Then I tried some Jillian Michael's home DVD's and I love those. They are shorter than the Zumba class and don't have to travel to get there. Never would have thought I would like home exercise DVD's until I tried it. Some people do Wii or Xbox kinect. The key to an exercise that will work for you is just one you will do. Maybe it is walking or biking outside. Maybe it is joining a gym. Maybe it is tennis or jump rope with your kids.
  • LorinaLynn
    LorinaLynn Posts: 13,247 Member
    After a while, it becomes habit. Push through until it does. Or keep trying new things until you find something that is enjoyable. Dancing is great exercise, and fun for a lot of people. Not so much for me because I have no rhythm and two left feet. I never thought I'd enjoy running because I sucked at it. I didn't realize it was something I had to learn how to do. (Thanks, Couch to 5k!)

    Or just look at it like a necessary evil. I'm sure you don't LIKE doing dishes or laundry, but you do them because you know if you don't, you have to wear dirty clothes and eat off dirty dishes. I still don't really like lifting weights, but I do it because I like wearing a bikini in the summer, and it makes me feel better in one. :happy:
  • amymrls
    amymrls Posts: 1,673 Member
    Just wondering if anyone has any tips for someone like me who IS NOT into exersice. I have been doing little walks here and there through out the day. I really find it hard to get motivated to do much more than that! Is there any fun exercises anyone can recommend? A couple years ago I use to love to exercise daily...but now I guess I turned lazy! Thanks for the advice!

    Go dancing! If you have an x box kinect dance central games are so fun!
  • sevencallmemom
    sevencallmemom Posts: 505 Member
    It's just one of those things you just have to do. Lately I don't want to AT ALL, but I do nearly every day and I never regret it.
  • Tanya_IP
    Tanya_IP Posts: 62 Member
    Thanks guys! I do like Jillians dvds as well its the motivation to do them.....im just going to do it thats all there is too it!!
  • IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym
    IpuffyheartHeelsinthegym Posts: 5,573 Member
    I just set a goal and told myself if I wanted to win, I HAD to workout, then just kept going.
  • HauteP1nk
    HauteP1nk Posts: 2,139 Member
    Set goals for yourself - big and small ones. Also, set rewards for yourself! For example, for every mile yuo run you earn some money towards buying yourself something you want like a new pair of shoes or clothing!


    Try a variety of different exercises too. You WILL find one you like. There is something for everyone out there.
  • lizard053
    lizard053 Posts: 2,344 Member
    Pick an exercise mantra that helps you do it. Mine is "just do it" and I do! Now I really love exercise.
  • Blacklance36
    Blacklance36 Posts: 755 Member
    Its surprising how many calories a walk burns, also, just read on the Goodlife e mailer that walking is the best way to keep cognative abilities. Keep it up!
  • UrbanRunner81
    UrbanRunner81 Posts: 1,207 Member
    find something you like to do.

    I started running, I didn't like it per say at first but I liked being able to go out by myself to destress and it turned out to be something I loved.

    Bike riding is fun, too.
  • 2012asv
    2012asv Posts: 702 Member
    Dancing (with weights)
  • Meloonie
    Meloonie Posts: 144 Member
    I used to hate anything exercise related! I thought that I'd better start making an effort seen as I'd hit a bit of a plateau so I started doing zumba three times a week on the wii for 20 mins and now (about 6 months later) I do at least an hour 6 days a week and can't stand it when I cant fit my workout in for any reason! Its just a matter of trial and error and finding something you like.

    Good luck x
  • JanetLM73
    JanetLM73 Posts: 1,226 Member
    I was a total couch potato, but I bought a stationary bike, the first day sucked....I was sore and so not motivated, that was Jan 18 of this year, now I'm up to jogging/brisk walking 50 minutes 3 times a day bike for 40 mins 4 times a day and weight training. I do some type of cardio 6 days a week and I look forward to it! I'm seeing the difference and so are others. Once you see your body changing it will help, if I can do it anyone can!
  • Werglum
    Werglum Posts: 378 Member
    Don't beat yourself up about it! I lost the majority of my weight without doing any exercise. Once I'd lost it I actually felt like doing some (I guess I was tired with sore knees before!). My theory was to get one thing under control at a time and food was first (they say it is 80% diet and 20% exercise) so my focus was on eating well and if I did any exercise then it was a bonus. People go on about 'skinny fat' but I figure skinny fat is better than fat fat! Plus now I'm lighter I'm actually doing regular exercise as I have got way more energy.
    Anyway, my advice, worry about the food first and any exercise that comes along is a bonus.
  • ttate002
    ttate002 Posts: 54
    Just wondering if anyone has any tips for someone like me who IS NOT into exersice. I have been doing little walks here and there through out the day. I really find it hard to get motivated to do much more than that! Is there any fun exercises anyone can recommend? A couple years ago I use to love to exercise daily...but now I guess I turned lazy! Thanks for the advice!

    Just keep doing it! Make it a habit and you will get used to it. To me, the results get me addicted. There has got be a reason that even though I'm a couple of pounds under 230 I can fit into L/XL tops and 14/16/XL bottoms. Nothing, but exercise and toning up what I have.
  • Grlnxtdr0721
    Grlnxtdr0721 Posts: 597 Member
    As everyone else has suggested, try different things until you find something you love. I would almost guarantee that one thing will lead to several. Set goals for yourself. I have never been a runner and started doing the couch to 5k (c25k.com) in January and LOVE it. Running has become a great stress relief for me. While it is not something that I necessarily enjoy while I'm doing it, it is something I look forward to and feel great after. :flowerforyou: Good luck with your journey :)
  • fudgebudget
    fudgebudget Posts: 198 Member
    Exercise isn't my thing either - I don't physically get an endorphin high, no matter how hard I work, so it can be difficult to motivate myself. One thing that has really worked for me is setting up an appointment for it, preferably with someone else that you don't mind getting sweaty in front of. Having someone else there to push me makes ALL of the difference for me.
  • Etrouton
    Etrouton Posts: 7 Member
    I was just like you! I hated exercise even as a kid I hated running, now I am slowly starting to get into exercise. I started walking and cycling to cover my calories if I went over my daily limit but now I really enjoy it and exercise everyday.

    I think its about pushing though the first bit and learning to love it. I love how I feel after a workout so I focus on that and on how I can feel my body getting fitter and stronger! It's a really encouraging feeling even if i haven't lost weight that week! Also find the exercise you love, my favourites are zumba and walking with my boyfriend. I also think you need someone to exercise with to keep you motivated and push you harder! Plus you get to spend time with them!
  • Zumba. I too do not like exercise. I actually like anything cumputer, video game, or cell phone related. Those usually do not require much movement. I find that Zumba Rush for the xbox has got me moving. I look forward to it, which is surprising. I never thought I would like to do anything dance realted, but it is lots of fun. I highly recommend it.
  • pixlamarque
    pixlamarque Posts: 312 Member
    Kinect for Xbox. I hate to exercise. I did c25k for a while, and it was fine, but I was sooooo bored on the treadmill and outside isn't an option for me between the South Louisiana heat and a toddler. My sweetie bought me a Kinect and Your Shape Fitness Evolved. It is so much better than Wii because you don't need controllers. The games that come with the Kinect (Adventures) are fun and a couple of them will get your heart rate up. At first I didn't like the Your Shape Fitness Evolved, but now I love it. The cardio boxing is fun and there are lots of additional things you can download for not much money, like a Bollywood dance game, etc. I do advise you to wear a heart rate monitor, though because the game underestimates mine pretty consistently by at least 100 calories. It really is fun though. I doubt I would exercise at all without it.
  • TinkrBelz
    TinkrBelz Posts: 866 Member
    I used to hate anything exercise related! I thought that I'd better start making an effort seen as I'd hit a bit of a plateau so I started doing zumba three times a week on the wii for 20 mins and now (about 6 months later) I do at least an hour 6 days a week and can't stand it when I cant fit my workout in for any reason! Its just a matter of trial and error and finding something you like.

    Good luck x

    I get bored easily. I like to lift weights, but knew I needed to do cardio and I hate treadmills, running, ellipticals....I think I might be ADD. Our gym had a Zumba class...LOVED it. They also had a Crunk Class (basically a hip hop dance class) Loved it too. I did not mind doing any sort of dancing...it just did not feel like "working out"

    Now, a year later, I teach classes there 8X/week!! I combine Zumba, crunk, and some muscle work into my class.

    So, I say find something fun that you like and you will stick to it!!
  • Tanya_IP
    Tanya_IP Posts: 62 Member
    i do have the kinect :) and i want to buy one of those dancing games...maybe thats what i can get my significant other for his bday next week lol im sure he will hate it and let me have it :) I do have the biggest loser game that i did once......i should find that!
  • TheFitHooker
    TheFitHooker Posts: 3,357 Member
    Wii Just Dance is more like a fun game then a workout but you burn them calories :D I love it... I've never been a fan of being sore all week long, but I've learned to love it. Now I crave it. I have a new found love for Yoga, its relaxing and yet you get a good workout.
  • blazergrad
    blazergrad Posts: 603 Member
    I always HATED exercise, with passion. I have found certain "exercises" that I love. Yoga, dancing, kickboxing and tai chi. All of them are great workouts too. I was the girl who looked for any reason possible to skip gym class. Took the bare minimum in college too. Now, I LOVE a good workout. I've started running and going to be doing a lifting program soon too. I love the endorphin rush following a great workout. Trust me, it's worth it!

    I would agree with this post in that I never liked exercise at all. I would try it for a little while, eventually lose interest and then just quit altogether. I started back up again last year, but this time I made an investment in a weight bench and weight set and I stuck with it until I got past that point of wanting to quit and now, I absolutely love and look forward to my weight training days ... and I actually hate it when something interferes and I have to miss a day. :)

    I think maybe it's like others have said in that you have to find something that you enjoy. I had tried different kinds of exercises before weight training and seemed to always lose interest, but once I got my own equipment and started weight training, I was hooked. Don't give up ... find your niche ... and before long you'll be hooked. Best of luck!! :)
  • tcunbeliever
    tcunbeliever Posts: 8,219 Member
    The key is really finding an activity you enjoy and not thinking about it as exercise. I do primarily oriental dance, and then throw in a bunch of other stuff like yoga, ballet, pilates, biking, walking, and weights...I like to have variety because I get bored easily...so I have a lot of workout DVDs and go to a few classes...I look forward to my classes each week because they are things I love to do, and the rest of the time I just do whatever I'm in the mood for...I do try to balance it out with weights/cardio, and I do set specific time aside for working out, but I don't stick to a strict schedule of WHAT TO DO. And for me, the variety works well.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    I used to hate exercise too. It's OK to start off small; you don't have to kill yourself to get started. Just put exercise on your schedule, and keep scheduling it. After awhile it becomes part of your routine.

    Start with a small goal this week. Then make your goal a little bigger next week.

    Find something you like. I used to rent Netflix DVDs. I tried DOZENS. Your local library will have DVDs too. There are instructors that I dislike, or find boring, and others I love. Find someone that you "click" with. I don't understand when people say they "love" a workout .... but they have to mute it. Expect more than this ..... keep looking.

    Collagevideo.com has video clips & reviews. Professionals have done the workouts & rated them for fitness level, impact level, choreoraphy level.

    Good luck!
  • I've gone back and forth of the years trying to find the right things for me. I've tried dvds and Wii Fit and Just Dance and such. What I have found is that to get any exercise in I HAVE to leave the house. Even going for a walk doesn't work for me. The home can be very distracting and you will think of other things to do.

    Whether it's a yoga class or "scheduling" a workout for myself at the gym, I find that if it's something I have to drive to then I will be motivated to do it and finish. Right now I go straight to the gym in the morning before I do anything else (except feed my kids). Then it's out of the way and there will be nothing to interfere the rest of the day.

    Oh and definitely find some good workout music. It really helps the time go by and motivates you.
  • SweetJoanne
    SweetJoanne Posts: 106 Member
    aquasize to dance it is great and the hour goes by so fast
This discussion has been closed.