When does it become fun?

[tonya66 13]

About 3 weeks out. It takes 21 days of doing something to make it a habit. Once it is a habit, you can't live without it! I too HATE to get up in the am to exercise, but in the past when I did it, it took about 3 weeks, then I began to crave it.

Fake it, until you make it!

[TamifromAL 1]

Hi there,

Unfortunately, it's been my experience that in order to enjoy exercise and even look forward to it, you have to be in pretty good physical condition. Of course, you can't get "in shape" without exercising. So, basically you have to force yourself to do it until you get to the point where you *want* to do it. But, in the meantime, I do have a couple of suggestions.

First, don't underestimate the power of your own mind. Every time I drive by my gym, I say (with conviction), "I LOVE that place." It was a total lie at first, but now it's actually true. When you're on your treadmill, picture yourself as you want to be (thin/physically fit), striding along, with your head held high, gut sucked in, proud of what you've achieved. I swear to you that this type of guided imagery really works.

Second, find some really good music to work out to. I got an iPod, and loaded all my favorite music into it. I click through until there's a song with the right beat to match my pace, and I'm off!

Good luck, and stick with it.

Tami

[babygrl1234 6]

OMG your time says 3 AM!!! you walked at 3 this morning then posted? do you ever sleep? How old are you? another youngster gonna put me to shame? lol dang I feel old and sleepy I think I'll take a nap!

Have a great day or for you I guess this is late afternoon. (8 AM)

No not quite tht early lol. I have to work at 6am on Fridays so I got up at about 4:15 and hopped on the treadmill. I am usually on 35-40 minutes since I am somewhere between 3-3.5mph. I am only 26 so yeah I am a little on the younger side :biggrin1: I have been big most of my life and I knew that I would remain that way unless I did something drastic. So I went and got a lapband! I just did not want to wake up obese at 46 and wish I had taken care of the problem at 26. I want to set a good example for my kids and I don't want them to have to deal with the issues of kids teasing them because of how their Mom looks.

Tami I love my Ipod. I will definitly use it once I hit the sidewalks. Right now though I am using the tv as my distraction. I have been tivoing shows and watching them like crazy since I really don't have any other time in the day to watch tv. In fact I don't think I have been away from the tv as much as I have in this last month.

Well we got the treadmill on Feb 20 and I have used it every day except for the two that we had lost power. Plus I have been taking the path of greatest resistance in my everyday life. Parking at the far corner in the top of the parking structure and using the stairs instead of elevators and such. I am definitly trying that is for sure.

And thanks for all the great suggestions and you motivating words. I really do appreciate it.

[edieparks 2]

I look foward to my workout because I listen to audio books. I get them for free at my local library.

edie

[Betsyjane 2]

Ipod shuffle.

[shues138 35]

I work out at home and I'll sleep with my gym clothes on so when I wake up, I throw on a sports bra put my hair up in a ponytail and exercise! Then when I'm done I go back to bed. LOL.

[babygrl1234 6]

I work out at home and I'll sleep with my gym clothes on so when I wake up, I throw on a sports bra put my hair up in a ponytail and exercise! Then when I'm done I go back to bed. LOL.

I do this too! Except I can't go back to bed.

[Betsyjane 2]

LOL! what IS it about that? I exercise best if I try to do it before I'm really awake. I guess it's before my brain is engaged enough to talk me out of it!

[lisalee 0]

Babygrl, it took me about 6 months and quite a few pounds before I could actually say I enjoyed exercising.

Fun? Not in the same way but an emotional necessity. I don't feel like the day is complete now without some form of exercise. I sometimes repeat positive sayings to myself when it's especially hard....sounds corny but I think it works.

What is really satisfying is realizing that what I am doing now I couldn't have done 6 months ago. That keeps me going.

Variety, too will make a difference. Running or walking isn't for everyone. I am impressed you get up so early. Now that's an achievement I can't imagine doing!

Hang in there...it gets better

[rtgirl77 0]

To the OP: I totally agree with you and was about to post a question along the same lines when I ran across this one. I HATE exercising. I've joined the gym (AGAIN) but am trying to channel the motivation to go. Why do I hate it? Because I find it to be physically uncomfortable. I have a treadmill. I feel nauseous, winded and just downright awful everytime I work out. I hate it, hate it. I think its boring. I use an MP3 player to get me through the 30-45 minutes but I barely make it and that's walking relatively slow in the 3-3.5 mph range.

I would love to fall in love with exercising but I just can't seem to. I wish I could find that secret cardio activity that I really enjoy doing and look forward to but as of yet, NOTHING! Now, I do like my ball workouts but they aren't really cardio.

[babygrl1234 6]

I was so pumped up to go walking outside today. And then the weather said wind chills in the low teens. *Sigh* Maybe tomorrow or next week. It is March for goodness sake. Give me a 40 degrees and I will run with it. lol

[TamifromAL 1]

I feel nauseous, winded and just downright awful everytime I work out.

That makes me wonder whether you are exercising in your target heart rate. Do you use a heart rate monitor? I bought a Polar brand heart rate monitor, and using a calculator on their web site, I found my target heart rate (based on my morning resting heart rate).

Tami

[Dani_d 0]

You're doing great for getting up that early and exercising. I took me a long while I get used to exercise being part of my routine. I also found music helped me the most. Once I have the tunes going and am actually on the thing, I'm ok. Going to a gym and doing group exercise I also found very motivation, as long as the instructor was really good. Hopefully you will be able to do that in the future.

[babygrl1234 6]

I do feel really good about actually doing it I am just not happy when I have to do it. lol Now that I am finished for the day I think exercise is great! :heh:

Plus I figure that if I make a poor food choice one day I am not going to feel as guilty about it since I am exercising. Skinny people eat cake too, just not the whole thing at once! I already know that my working out is making a difference because even without restriction in the past two weeks I have still lost 5 pounds.

[TeriR 1]

I have been working out at a fitness center since this past December. I try to work out 3-4 times a week and I can honestly say that I look forward to going now. I actually get frustrated when I can't make it! My favorite machine is the eliptical. I was banded on 8/24/06 and did well at first, lost about 40 lbs by December, but then I plataued. It actually has only been in the last couple weeks that I have started to lose again. I feel so much better now, though. I'm no where near as tired as I had been before. I have the energy now to keep up with my two little guys (one is going to be 5 this month and my other is 2 1/2)!

Good luck to you, keep at it! You will be happy you did, especially when you are starting to notice the differene in you body as well as your energy!