For those who HATE to exercise ... but do it anyway - a question ...

[Phranp 46]

I HATE to exercise ... I do have some health issues that prevent me from doing strenuous exercises BUT I can still walk and do other things. So, I walk in the morning, but getting out of bed is a fight every morning! (Evenings are not an option for me at this time.) I'm always glad I did it, but getting it done is such a struggle. Knowing that strengthening my back muscles will enable me to do more helps keep me going, but ...

My question, to those that hate exercise ... but do it anyway is: "How do you motivate yourself?"

[tarajim 20]

I really don't think about exercise as either love or hate, but more about something I have to do to live. Like eating, showering, shaving, or driving to work, it is something that is part of my day and I have to do.

That said, I make it very routine. I get up at the same time, wear the same outfit (one of many), and go to the gym. I distract myself with music, but books on tape, podcasts, and TV are other distractions.

I set a minimum. I WILL NOT get off the eliptical until I have gone 3.1 miles (5K), no matter how I feel. Sure, I will slow down, or turn down the level if I don't feel good, but 3.1 miles is my rule.

I also have days off. Just like Saturday and Sunday I don't have to drive to work, I take at least one weekday off and have longer workouts on the weekend.

Exercise, like eating, is mostly in your head. Does not matter what you do, just do some moving every day. And do a little more every week if you can.

When the weight is off, it is easier and less dreadful.

Good Luck,

TJ

[Phranp 46]

"I really don't think about exercise as either love or hate, but more about something I have to do to live."

I like that philosphy ... never really thought of it like that. Thanks much.

[20zmom 0]

You know, I felt the same way about exercise ( I HATED it!!!) until I actually started doing it on a regular basis, and now I can honestly say I enjoy it. I started out slowly, and have added more time on my cardio activites, and have added strength training as well. I do the treadmill and elliptical (love/hate that machine:drool:) and add Water aerobics and water kickboxing to get some variety in. My gym also offers water zumba and regular zumba, which is a lot of fun and burns a lot of calories.

I invested in a gym membership, which is a luxury for me, and I have to make some sacrifices in other areas to get that fee to work within my budget, but I have decided that I am worth the cost and the gym offers such exceptional programs, it keeps me interested and willing to get there to work my tail off.

Like anything else from our food to our lifestyle choices, exercising is a choice we make. So like Nike says........... JUST DO IT!!!!!!!!!!

[CASSIEME1 1]

i have always hated exercise.but when i look in the mirror and hate what i see even more it makes me get off my fat a$$ b/c noone can or will do it for me.watching the bigggest loser lets me see where i dont want to be in the future

[Whillow 0]

I hated exercise as well - but I follow my weight loss plan to the T- I did my preop diet - post op diet 100% i got sliced open to make weightloss easier and exercise is part of the deal so I do it...

I got membership at the gym, which i really couldnt afford cursing all the way about NOT wanting to add that portion in...lol.. now,,, i ENJOY it and i get mighty pissed off when my work schedule messes up my day and I can not go, like today i was supposed to get out of work at 330 - plenty of time to work out before i am on call for the FD at 6 --however a girl had to go home sick and im stuck until 5... there for no work out today because not enough time.. im mad mad mad.. not at her lol at that i wont make it to the gym-- never ever ever ever ever thought i would feel that way about exercise -

i do the eliptical for 45 min, and weight training and swimming, i am usually there for 2.5-3 hrs. i would love to add in a class but i dont have the confindance to do that yet..

[happy2lose 0]

I totally agree with what tarajim said on this topic.

I do the same, make it part of my routine and just do it!

[NanaV 0]

I don't hate exercise I just find it hard to find time. I work 14 hours a day, when I get off I'm exhausted. I have a treadmill in my living room and have to push myself to use it regularly. My only suggestion is "Just don't quit"

[btrieger 21]

I hate it and always will. Well, at least before I do it every day. I feel great afterward and am proud of myself for doing it.

I look at at as, "just do it and get it out of the way."

[BetsyB 9]

I, too, have severe pain issues and initially, my motivators were external. I have a 3-year-old Lab-shepherd who demands a daily (at a MINIMUM; in the months when it is light in the evening, we do it twice) 3.5-4 mile walk. And I have a 13-year-old son who makes sure I get to the gym every other day for weight training.

Combined with the care of a good pain specialist, this works for me. I've reached the point where I notice a profound difference in the way I feel (physically and emotionally) if I don't exercise---so it's become rewarding on its own.

[DizzyLizzy 21]

My motivation is music. I love music, and I love exercising to some upbeat tunes, especially latin music or those old house beats from the early 90’s. I will blast it and get busy. But, I do hate exercising right now because it’s frustrating that I can’t exercise like I want to. I try to keep up with the beat and my short fat legs just won’t go. Try to get in a 2 mile brisk walk, but I zonk out at a mile and a half. Try to jog a lap, but nearly faint after 60 seconds because my heart rate is going so fast. Try to do an extra rep of weights or crunches, my muscles say heck naw!

But, it’s getting better. The more weight I lose and the more I push myself, it gets better. And even when I’m absolutely spent after a work out, I still manage to shake my booty to the beat!

Then on top of that, finding the time to fit in a workout. I’ve pretty much stopped watching tv because I’ve only got 4 hours from when I get home from work to fix dinner, check homework, work out, eat my dinner, bathe the little one, bathe myself, and get set up for the next day!!! But, I know I have to fit in that workout at least every other day no matter what. If not, even if I do manage to lose the weight, without working out I’ll look like a half empty sack of bones!

[emjay 8]

It helped me that my husband and I both motivate each other. I used to have alot of pain in my knee, but ever since I routinely workout on the elliptical, the pain is gone (except going up steps). I could only do about 2 minutes starting out, but now I'm up to 30 and only because my legs start to feel like noodles.

I can't say I like exercise, but I like feeling like I'm taking care of myself and that I'm worth it. I see the results and I like what I see. My arms will never look tight and muscular, but they do have some tone now and that helps. I think it changes the way I carry myself and how I feel about myself. And I definitely don't get tired anymore working out. So, I view it as a necessary evil. But an exercise buddy really helps on those days where you feel like a sloth.

[kagead 0]

I hate it, too. I know everyone says find something you enjoy and it won't be so much work and I think they are liars. :thumbdown:

For me, I think the key is having a goal (other than general fitness and weight loss) to work toward. I started the Couch to 5k program and have signed up for a 5k on April 24th (the day before my 41st b-day and a couple weeks before I hope to be banded.) My sister and some friends will do it with me.

I have never run in my life and really hate every minute of it, but I know the payoff will be great.

After that, the next goal will be overcoming my fear of the bathing suit and getting myself into a pool. I used to love the Water but haven't been swimming in at least 20 years.

Once I accomplish that, I want to get back on skis. I started skiing when I was about 5 and haven't been since college.

Good luck with this- I feel your pain!

kagead

[BeckyC73 0]

I don't know if I'm a good one to talk, because I don't exercise as much as some of the other people who've answered, but exercise is a pain in my ass, but I'm getting better at doing it more regularly. (Mostly it just is BORING!!) I envy the people for whom routine comes naturally, but I've never been a person who could keep a routine very well so I can't depend on that to help me. (I'm just a "go with the flow, adapt to the circumstances"-type of person and I'm not good at making the circumstances adapt to me.)

So, here's what I try to do.... I found one thing I like to do: Water aerobics. I've always loved being in the Water. Because of scheduling, I can only do it once a week, but at least that's one day less that I have to do stuff that bores me. The other days I have a variety of options that I try to fit in depending on what my day is like. Sometimes I take my toddler mallwalking. (She is getting a little less patient with this, but for a while she's okay riding in the stroller and looking around.) Sometimes i go with my mom or my cousin, so it's less boring, but at least there are things to look at and people to watch and I can talk to/play with my daughter. Sometimes, I do aerobics at home after my daughter goes to bed. I have a couple different DVDs to match my mood--Leslie Sansone or Shapely Girls. Sometimes, I walk on my cheapo used treadmill at home. And once in a blue moon, the weather has been warm enough (almost up to freezing and no wind) to stick Squirt in the stroller and walk outside.

So I guess, to summarize... If you or your life do not lend themselves to routine, try having a variety of options that you hate less, break it into smaller chunks (25-45 minutes at a time) and make doable goals (e.g., 30 min., 5 times a week). Try finding someone to encourage you to do it or to make it less boring at least part of the time. Also, it does get a little easier once you lose some weight and/or get in better shape.

[Melinco 1]

Once I made the decision to get banded and started my pre-op diet, I started exercising two or three times a week. Then, last week after my second fill, I thought I'd experiment and see how much weight I'd lose if I only relied on watching what I eat. I only lost 0.4 pounds, which was way down from what I had been losing.

So this Monday I started a new regimen. I have been exercising daily for at least 30 minutes. Also, I've told myself that I can't get on Facebook unless I exercise for a minimum of 30 minutes.

Tuesday through today I've done my 30 minutes at 6:15 am, before getting ready for work. If you know me at all, you know I hate getting up in the morning, usually I hit my snooze until just after 7, then am rushing around like a mad woman to get ready for work. So the fact that I'm actually getting out of bed at 6:00 to work out is huge for me.

But while I'm losing weight to get healthier, the main reason is so that we can have a baby. (Back story is on my blog). So that is the main motivator for me to exercise and lose at least 2 pounds a week. It doesn't make me like exercise any better, but at least it reminds me why I'm doing this in the first place.