I hate exercise

Does anyone else who hates exercise have a routine you can stick to? I've tried everything, the Wii fit, aerobic dance tapes, treadmill, power walking at the track, etc etc etc. I hate it all. I'm so out of shape when it comes to exercise that even simple exercises require so much effort.... so I never stick to it. But I really do wanna get healthy. Anyone have any advice or suggestions that might help me get moving? Thanks!

Re: I hate exercise

Do you like any sports? Doing fun activities is a great way to get some exercise.
Once you start feeling good it gets a lot better and may "crave" it.
How about walking the Mall? Or a really nice neighborhoods, sounds strange but looking at beautiful homes distracts me and time goes by..
Dont stop exercising..!!!

Re: I hate exercise

I'm big on music!! Whenever I create a new playlist I can't wait to try it out...

Also, there are so many different ways to workout. Now that the weather is nice would you consider swimming, biking or rollerblading?

There's also classes: zumba, kickbox, spin...

Also, if you want a REALLY quick workout try some HIIT such a tabata. Do a hardcore workout for 20 seconds/10 seconds off for 8 rounds = 4 minutes of hardcore working out. It goes by so quickly!

Re: I hate exercise

I really dont have a special routine to help with...only advice I can give you is dont stop whatever routine you pick up. Once you stop your done...you think one day "oh Ill take that day off, one day will be fine" and then next thing you know your taking the next day and the day after that off. And before you know it you havent worked out in a week. As tired as you get you gotta just keep to watever workout your doing. Just when you feel like your gonna take a day off just keep in the back of your mind how great you feel after your workout and it will help you keep motivated.

Re: I hate exercise

I hate cardio as well, I have done Body for Life in the past, and the cardio in that program seems to work for me since it's only 20 minutes at varying intensity levels. I currently do HIIT and that keeps me involved enough that I can get through a 15-20 minute cardio session.

I also lift weights, 3 sets of 6-12 reps each, lifting heavy.. both freeweights and machines. I found that to be more my style than classes or long hauls on the treadmill

Re: I hate exercise

Warning: Sorry this is so long!

I was like this too. Everything I started, I did it once and then just gave up... I hate exercising and I still do. But here is what helped me be able to workout 5-7 days a week for three months straight now...

1. Reward system: Pick something you wouldn't normally get... like don't use something you are going to buy anyway, or something that will happen regardless of whether you see it through. I needed DH's help and said, if I work out this month, and I do at least 30 min a day for 5-7 days a week, can we have a movie marathon weekend? So at the end of each month, we take two days and just watch movies back to back to back... and on those two days, I also treat myself to an alcoholic drink and some snack foods I wouldn't normally eat during the rest of the month. IT HAS TOTALLY HELPED. It had to get cancelled this month, due to other events popping up so now, it has kind of made me feel like giving up, but I'm trying to get him to let us do it a week later.

2. If you need a routine, try doing the same thing every single day (like Jillian Michael's 30 day shred DVD). Or if you like variety, try switching it up by doing treadmill one day, a dvd the next. I used to like doing the same thing over and over again but I stopped seeing results after a year and I also got so bored and sick of it. I like having a few dvds and the treadmill to choose between... so when I wake up I can decide what feels best for me. I know I have to do something. If I don't feel like working out AT ALL, I do a yoga DVD because it mostly works on breathing and stretching and it's kind of easy- but hey- it's something and it's helpful. On days where I don't want to do a lot of running or jumping, I do pilates since it's a hard good workout but you basically do it sitting down on the floor. This has def. helped me gain strength. On days when I want a hard but quick workout, I do a Jillian Michaels DVD and on days when I want a hard and long workout, I choose the treadmill for incline walking and HIIT workouts.

I hate exercise and like I said, I think I always will, but these are the two major things that helped me. The movie marathon really helped because I worked hard that first month and saw immediate progress and then it kept me motivated to do it for another month. Now I want this to kind of be a lifestyle change, not just something I'm testing out.

Re: I hate exercise

Also, I'd suggest a personal trainer. I'd get one if I could afford it. They can hand pick exercises that will be suited for you and maybe having a set appointment would force you to go and stick with it because it is a commitment with someone else.

Re: I hate exercise

What worked for me was finding something I enjoyed that felt meaningful, and not like exercise to me.

That for me is hot yoga.

I don't go everyday (wish I could!) but I am motivated to go at least 3-4x a week which is what I think you need to notice a difference in your body.

It's tough in the beginning to go to something like this because you WILL hate the heat intially.

What helped me stick to it, was initially I was going with family. Now none of them go anymore, but since I had people to go with me in the beginning, that helped me get over my fears and I got myself in a routine.

I also think you need to watch your diet in addition, like any other form of exercise which is still an area I struggle with a lot.

Knowing I am paying a decent amount of money for these classes is also motivation. I feel like it's money wasted if I do not go at least 3-4x a week.


Most HY studios have specials where you can go for like 10 consecutive days of unlimited HY for $20.00. I recommend doing a special like this. This is also the amount of days I think you need to get yourself into a good routine.

With that said, I also think it's unrealistic for the average person who works F/T and may have a family, to devote everyday to exercise. ESPECIALLY something time consuming like a class like this (or even an hour each day at the gym!). Set a realistic option like "I will work out at least every Monday-Wed-Fri and one weekend day".

Message edited 5/24/2011 6:06:23 PM.

Re: I hate exercise

Re: I hate exercise

If you belong to a gym, try different classes. I prefer to work out with a trainer or in a group setting because that keeps me motivated and pushes me to work harder.

A good play list helps me on cardio machines - I'm more likely to stick to my running intervals when I'm armed with music that makes me want to move.

But find something you actually enjoy. You won't stick to any work out if you don't like it.

Re: I hate exercise

i do too.
i like pilates and walk away the pounds

Re: I hate exercise

A lot of great advice here.

I was like that too, and last time I lost a significant amount of weight, I had to just grin and bear it. I did choose exercise DVD's to do at home, Salsa dancing, things like that. I did switch it up here and there. After a while, I craved the soreness I felt the next day and that kept me going back, as well as results.

Results don't have to be a number on the scale. My current "diet" has had tangible short-term goals. Being able to wear my wedding ring again. Not feeling skin touching skin on my back when I sat down. Being able to fit into my driver's seat with the armrest down.

Those are the things I expected. The things I didn't expect are how much better I sleep, how good I feel during the day, my hair and nails are healthier, my feet don't hurt anymore, I don't get weird nagging pains in my joints like my hips or knees.

If you pay close attention to all the signs, it may become it's own initiative. And then sometimes you just have to suck it up and DO IT, especially in the beginning. For some people (most people?) the motivation doesn't automatically come to you, you have to force it. But it's all within you, it's not something you lack, it's something that other people just push through, and so can you.

Re: I hate exercise

Is there a friend/relative you can do stuff with? Can you do it at times that don't seem like an inconvenience such as talking a 30 minute walk during lunch rather than when you get home?

Re: I hate exercise

can you get a "fitness friend" ? someone that will hold you accountable to your workouts and help make them fun? i find running super challenging so i made it a goal to run races so i keep pushing myself... however, i always like when DH comes with me on training runs because he motivates me through it. if he's not there, i find myself slacking a lot more. fitness friends and gym buddies are great at helping workouts become fun!