I'm "skinny-fat"

So 2-3 years ago I got sick of being overweight and decided to start WW but on my own. I used my dads old books/slides and an app on my phone. After the first month or so of torture, I got used to it and fast forward a year and I had lost 40 plus pounds. The weight is still off and I am very proud of that.

BUT

I did it 100% via diet and not at all with excercise.

So even though I may look fit and trim and healthy, I never work out or exercise. I just HATE it! I dont want to spend the money on a gym and I just do not have the motivation to work out at home like with a DVD or anything.

Its starting to bother me...

Any advice for exercise that doesnt feel like working out? Or motivational boosts?

Thanks!

Re: I'm "skinny-fat"

I also didn't want to spend the money to join a gym and have never been big on workout DVDs. I bought myself a treadmill and for the longest time I didnt use it....until I got completely fed up with my body. I reached a point last spring where I was embarrassed to be in a bathing suit in front of my own family. I felt like at 27 these should be the years that I look back on and think "I was in the best shape of my life". The next day I started running on the treadmill. 6 days a week, interval running because I knew I didnt have much stamina. Once I got into that habit, I started to enjoy working out and it wasn't such a chore anymore. Then I added free weights for my arms (I do that 3 times a week), ab routine (4 times a week), and a body weight leg workout (twice a week).

I do everything at home in my bedroom after my DS goes to bed (around 8pm). You just have to form the habit. It's hard to start and in the beginning it's hard to keep it up without finding an excuse to not workout...but in the end, it's for YOU.

ETA: I find that the best thing for me is to come home from work and immediately change into my workout clothes, that way I'm kind of already in the mind set. DONT let yourself relax on the couch...you won't want to get up. The first few minutes of my workouts are always the hardest. That's when I feel like "Ugh...I can't do this today". But once I make it through the first 5 minutes, I'm already into it and I stop even worrying about how much time I have left to go. Plus, I always feel great after I work out and it's always worth it!!

Message edited 4/4/2013 12:56:34 PM.

Re: I'm "skinny-fat"

Me too. I look decent in most clothes, but naked...ick!

I need to incorporate some type of exercise also.

Re: I'm "skinny-fat"

you really have to fine something you enjoy doing otherwise you'll not be interested in doing it. easier said than done...
also, i won't lie working out isn't totally fun while you're doing it, but i swear the results will be enough to motivate you! while i am out on a run or getting ready for one i ***** and complain inside about how i hate it or am not in the mood for it,,,i force myself to do it and after i am done i am SO happy i did it! so happy in fact it is enough for me to continue to make myself go out for that run or do my jillian michaels DVD. i love feeling in shape and physically fit but it comes with work but the work is worth it. you don't have to phone hours in at the gym or hours doing a dvd.
get out and do something for a 1/2 hour, that's really all it takes to start seeing a change in your body esp, if you're eating well. even 20 minutes is better than nothing. and even if you dislike it while you're doing it you'll be happy afterwards.
i would at least give myself a chance to try something. you never know what you might end up liking to do!
good luck!

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You can start by walking to the park with your kids. I usually bring a ball & run around with my son. I've also been bringing my jump rope so i can jump while he's playing on the playground.
I used to feel self conscious but then i realized, if anything ppl will be like wow, she's motivated. Now i even alternate jumping & push ups. It's fun! You can even do it in your backyard

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Re: I'm "skinny-fat"

Message edited 4/5/2013 9:38:08 AM.

Re: I'm "skinny-fat"

Thanks guys!
I love to walk and now that it is spring (even though the temperature would say differently ) I walk every day either while DS is in school or after dinner with DS and DH. I dont know if that is enough but at least it is something.
My sister was saying something about some workout called "Couch to 10k" or something like that...

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Re: I'm "skinny-fat"

I do thing in my house. I take a chair put it against my wall and step on and off it. I do ab work on the floor with a mat. I do squats and jumping jacks. I walk up and down the stairs.

Re: I'm "skinny-fat"

I was an exercise hater for decades, never did it. When I got sick of myself, I forced myself to do lose weight and that meant sweating. I did choose something that wasn't complete torture - walking just like you - and it changed me.

The key to me becoming someone who enjoys exercise was switching it up to keep it interesting and keeping it fun. Some suggestions... walk in places where there are things to look at or enjoy. Find a way to challenge your walks every time you do them - go further, go on hills, walk faster, put weights on your ankles. Get a Pandora account on your phone or something similar, get headphones, and listen to motivating music. I recommend "Pop and Hip Hop Power Workout" on Pandora if you like that kind of thing. Consider it "you" time, not a chore. Enjoy being outdoors and buying yourself exercise clothes. Map out your route with apps on your phone like Jog Tracker (can be used for walks, jogs, bikes, etc.) Look at all the parks in your area and find ones with trails or paths.

Before you know it, you may see results in your legs and crave more. Then you can start to jog with very short strides, almost not even faster than walking. Increase that, jog places like the beach where it's tougher. Do the couch to 5k which is only 3 miles, then do an actual 5k and let the group spur you to go faster and do more. Many of us here do them, you could find a 5k partner.

There are SO MANY things you could do to get exercise, try them all until you find one you like and focus on doing better. You just need to try harder than you want to in the beginning.

Re: I'm "skinny-fat"

Last spring / summer I used to ride my bike for 30 mins each evening..it was my time and I loved it...so much so I said to DH today that its time for me to take my bike out again..I also have a treadmill but enjoy my bike riding more...as the others have said find something you enjoy and you wont find it such a chore.

Re: I'm "skinny-fat"

I have no motivation to exercise either but do walk about 2 miles daily. I started using the app cardio trainer on my phone to see what I was burning. I also do Zumba at the local middle school 1x a week in their adult ed class which is for about 10 weeks. I used my app the other night & a1 hr class burned 593 calories. I absolutely LOVE Zumba bc I don't feel I'm working out, more dancing...

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many years ago I loved going to the gym and working out, I pretty much lived there. now I am too dreading going there and know for sure if I sign up I will never go. So I make sure to walk everywhere. From station to the office, using stares instead of elevator and I started Pilates twice a week for an hr. It's awesome. The workout concentrates on all the problematic areas and is only 2 hrs a week but the results are almost immediate. Plus its fun believe it or not as u do not jump around (dont like doing it anymore) but work on ur flabbies in a very serene atmosphere.

Re: I'm "skinny-fat"

What health insurance do you have??

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ZUMBA