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Exercise

Exercise! What do you do? How often? And how the b'jesus do you stay motivated??

167 replies

shakespeare · 01/10/2013 09:54

I'm a very non-committed exerciser who would like to be very much more committed. I'm not overweight but I'm not particularly fit. I'm currently doing one yoga class and a cardio class a week (and last week I managed to fit in a lengthy power walk/with buggy/up hills walk as well) The thing is, its always a bleedin' struggle to get out the door. I spend hours debating with myself the 'yes I will go'/'no I won't' and more often than not, the 'no I won't go' will win. Sometimes I feel like it, but still talk myself out of it! I often resent having to do it (even tho I will probably enjoy it once I'm out) when I'd rather be parked on my arse doing a crossword or similar. And resentment does not an exerciser make.

So how do you get your arse out the door when your body is screaming at you to kick off your shoes and sit your arse down on that big nice comfy sofa...??

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FruitSaladIsNotPudding · 01/10/2013 09:59

Do it quickly! I run 2-3 miles on a hilly. It's hard work, but takes max 30 mins, and that's door to door. 3 of those a week and I feel reasonably fit. I'm sure lots of people would say it's not enough, but I think you have to be realistic about what you will sustain.

Plus, try and be active generally - walk instead of drive, active weekends with the kids, that sort of thing.

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FruitSaladIsNotPudding · 01/10/2013 09:59

Hilly route, that should say!

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binger · 01/10/2013 10:06

I jog 3 times a week and do one power hoop class. I also do big walks with my dog and this is the thing which maintains my weight best. I didn't walk as often for a couple of weeks as dh wanted to take dog out and I noticed a difference in weight and general fitness.

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MirandaWest · 01/10/2013 10:09

I find the best way for me is to go running straight after taking the DC to school or I am unlikely to do it at all. Am currently back in a running phase which hopefully will last a little while!

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Thistledew · 01/10/2013 10:25

Set yourself a routine. Ideally a set time on a set day so if you get into the mindset of "I'll do it tomorrow" it will mean that you have actually missed a session.

Try to incorporate exercise into your day - I commute to work by bike as often as I can and it takes me no longer than doing so by walking and public transport.

Set yourself a goal- to do a park run or charity cycle ride, the. You have something to train for.

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PassAFist · 01/10/2013 10:29

You need a routine. I run 3x a week and do strength training 3x a week. I run first thing in the morning, before anyone else in the house is up. I take the dog who needs a walk anyway - two birds with one stone.

For strength training I do it right before bed, in my own house. If i had to go to a gym I wouldn't go!

For running I recommend the app Couch to 5K (I think by Active Life or something like that?). For strength training I use the app You Are Your Own Gym - doesn't require any special equipment, just stuff you would have in your own house like a chair, or cans for weights.

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Lazysuzanne · 01/10/2013 10:47

I enjoy it and I don't want to get out of shape, three to four weight training sessions and five to six (hour long) cardio sessions per week.

Never have a problem staying motivated.

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OneLittleToddleTerror · 01/10/2013 10:50

I just love doing exercise classes. Sorry can't help! It makes me feel really good about myself. Normally I go to one spinning, one body combat and one body balance class a week. They are lunch time classes and if I've got something on, I'll swap to another class. I hate it when I just sit on the sofa.

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OneLittleToddleTerror · 01/10/2013 10:51

How about imagining how many more donuts/cakes you can eat because of the calories you've used?

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lifesgreatquestions · 01/10/2013 10:57

OP, I was so not into exercise that I used to take a defiant position if anyone raised it as a topic of conversation. For me the change came when I was tired of looking in the mirror and not liking the recent changes. I started off with the 30 day shred. I joined a thread for that to help keep me motivated. It was only 20 minutes a day. I kept my eye on day 30 and the hope that I would see a change between day 0 and then (I took measurements and my weight). In the end, although I didn't lose weight in that space of time, I changed shape massively and gained loads of visible muscle, including abs. And I have since started losing weight. I've changed my routine loads since completing the 30ds but continue to keep it to stuff I do in the home for a short period of time daily or most days. I'm now someone who is committed to exercise. Hope you find your way forward!

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FruitSaladIsNotPudding · 01/10/2013 12:10

Also, I like to remind myself that I will enjoy my slobbing out time so much more if I have been for a run. NOTHING beats a hot bath and a glass of wine following a run on a cold day!

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Lazysuzanne · 01/10/2013 12:15

Yes, I find it much easier to fully relax if I'm physically tired.

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TrucksAndDinosaurs · 01/10/2013 14:15

I started with 30 day shred too; this time I actually did it all over 6 weeks whilst low carbing. It just felt like the right time to start looking after myself; we'd moved house and Ds started nursery in mornings so had time to fit in exercise.

Now I love my morning Jillian Michaels workout (doing 6 week 6 pack)! So quick, so effective. And in the shower 40 min later.

My body has completely changed and I'm now starting a barre fitness class for social side which I'd just not have done before but now I feel I look ok and can keep up.

Weight loss: 22lb
Changed shape from UK 14/16 to 8/10.
Can't imagine life going back to how it was: unfortunately have pulled back picking up tantrum ing DS in the road and am fretting now I have to rest a couple of days.

It just becomes routine after about 10 days.

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BsshBossh · 01/10/2013 14:27

Well I do love the energised feeling I get through exercising so that's really motivating. I also like how it enables me to switch off completely. And the muscular changes to my body are amazing and keeps me going.

I exercise 5 times a week: 3 sessions of cardio and 2 sessions of heavy weights.

I find that sticking to a rigid routine (I always exercise at lunch time) helps enormously.

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Sleepwhenidie · 01/10/2013 15:31

I think if you can do something 5-6 times a week for a month or two it becomes such a habit and you are sort of addicted to it, it feels weird skipping a session (I get very grumpy if I can't exercise on a day I haven't voluntarily decided will be a rest day).

Finding something you really enjoy also makes a huge difference. Instead of feeling like you should be doing it - for your health or looks for example - you do it because you really want to. And even if that something you enjoy is only once or twice a week then training differently on the other days becomes more bearable as it is in order to improve your ability/performance in your favourite thing. I love kickboxing and do it 3-4 times a week, I also get to the gym and lift heavy weights and do a bit of interval training 2-3 times a week. I really wish that I took up kickboxing years ago, I get such a high from it Grin. I also love swimming, definitely find it great for mental relaxation as well as physical enjoyment.

OP - how about setting yourself a challenge to try as many new classes/exercises in a month as you can? Yoga, swimming, boxing, bootcamp, zumba, body pump, spinning.... see if any jump out as particularly enjoyable?

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shakespeare · 02/10/2013 10:00

God my OP does make me out to be a lazy old slob doesn't? I am a SAHM at the moment to a 4 year old (pre-school 6 hrs p/d, 3 days p/w) and a one year old so I am pretty much on my feet all day, not lazying around eating crisps on the sofa, lol. Its just after being on my feet all day, I find it a struggle to then get out and exercise when all I really want to do is chill out, not heading out to exercise for an hour or so when I'm bloody knackered.

lazysuzanne, bsshbossh, sleepwenidie - do you have children and/or work? If so, how do you fit so many sessions in? And how to people over-ride the voice that tells them they can't be arsed exercising, as I'm sure we all have that voice occasionally (some more than others!). As being there and doing the workout is the easy part, its the doning the work out gear and getting out the door is the killer. There is always some excuse (too cold/windy/rainy/tired etc etc).

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Lazysuzanne · 02/10/2013 10:49

I am lucky in that my children are grown up and I work from home, hours to suit and not too many of them.

Occasionally I run or cycle outdoors but mostly its gym or pool so I don't have to endure the weather.
Then again I'm sans car so I have to endure the weather walking there and back!

I never have a voice telling me I can't be arsed exercising.
(there are lots of things I can't be arsed with but training isn't one of them)

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BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 02/10/2013 11:06

I love it and stay motivated really easily.

I do 3-4 gym session a week, usually 1hr 45 each combining a bit of cardio with weight work,1-2 pole fitness sessions per week and 1 -2 classes like bootcamp or body pump. This morning I did 50 mins cardio, 1 hr body pump and then tonight I have my pole fitness session...a bit much really for my muscles but I only work out morning and evening usually once a week.

I find the gym has really changed my body shape and my muscles are quite defined and that in itself keeps me motivated. I wear a HR monitor and usually set myself targets and normally like to work out until I hit the 800 cal burn....am a bit anal like that but I do like to work to goals and targets etc otherwise I think I would dither a bit :)

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BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 02/10/2013 11:09

Oh and yes I work full time but I get to the gm by 8 in the morning once DS has gone off to school and I work out till just before 10 so I get to work about 10. We are a small company so it suits them for me to take my lunch hour 9-10.

The more I train the more I love it and I ab hate missing a session although I do tend to rest at weekends.

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BsshBossh · 02/10/2013 11:18

shakespeare I work from home and my DD (5) is fulltime at school so my schedule is very flexible. I also wear my gym kit as soon as I wake up so I tend not to have excuses and mentally am ready to exercise when my lunch break arrives. If I can't be arsed to go to the gym then I don't but 9 times out of 10 I do - but I tell myself that I'll go to the gym and if I don't feel like doing much I'll just do a light session.

When DD was small and at home I walked for miles with her in the buggy, even in the pouring rain. That kept me fit. When she started at the childminders part time I exercised whilst she was there - houswork and chores be damned Grin.

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BsshBossh · 02/10/2013 11:21

And I agree with Betty - seeing my body shape changing for the better is the best motivation. Now the flab has gone (I've lost 5 stones through a combination of diet [5:2 fasting] and exercise) I'm seeing lots of muscle definition and I really don't want to lose it.

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Lazysuzanne · 02/10/2013 11:22

I remember walking miles and miles with a small child in a pushchair because that was the only way to get any exercise!

Seems like another lifetime now

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BsshBossh · 02/10/2013 11:24

Lazy yes, that's how I lost all my pregnancy weight. I still love walking because of those days.

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Lazysuzanne · 02/10/2013 11:24

Bssh, yes the irrational fear that I'll turn into an amorphous blog if I don't stick to my regime Confused

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BsshBossh · 02/10/2013 11:28

shakespeare does your gym have an affordable creche? During the long summer holidays often the only way I manage to get a gym session in is by booking DD into the creche there. It's worth the fee. She loves it and always has loads of fun which is motivation in and of itself to go to the gym.

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