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Original poster

How do you factor exercise into your life?

129 replies

flumpsfortea · 27/12/2025 23:10

Predictably dull but my New Year’s resolution is to really try and make time to exercise next year. I’m approaching 40 and feel the need to try and look after myself a little better and future proof my body! The problem is I hate exercise, I always have. And I’m busy with work, kids etc so I just don’t have the time and/or motivation. I do walk a fair bit. I take my dog each day and also try and walk on my lunch break. But that’s it.
At home I have a treadmill and some dumb bells. If I aim to do half an hour on the treadmill everyday and some weights a few times a week would that be a good starting point? I have no clue where to begin or if this would even be worthwhile but I feel like I have to do something. Also have some resistance bands.

OP posts:
Shitstix · 27/12/2025 23:41

If you're walking every day, and do weights a couple of times a week, surely that's you exercising if it's for fitness or are you trying to lose weight/tone up?

I have a cross trainer and use that at least 4 times a week plus kettle weights. The key for me is to do 20 mins sessions, as anything longer l get bored and after a short time, start looking for excuses not to do it.

I also walk every other week with a friend where we walk around 5km while powering along catching up.

NewYearNewMee · 27/12/2025 23:32

The excuses are so easy - I honestly used to be the absolute same! I hated exercising to start however I’ve got to a place now where it’s in my routine, it clears my head and I feel better for doing it. It did take a few months I can’t lie 😂 I do recommend habit stacking, where you add habits to things you already do then you won’t even give yourself the chance to make excuses.

Maybe start with one mobility / yoga exercise video a week and one low impact weights one? Then you can scale from there if you want to? It helps if it’s something that can be a bit enjoyable, with the mobility I noticed a difference within a few weeks which made it much more enjoyable if I’m honest (I hate waiting for results haha I want them like prime delivery, next day).

Christmas pig outs are just a few days a year, you’ve got 360 other days to do whatever you want to 😊

Original poster
flumpsfortea · 27/12/2025 23:26

Honestly I will openly admit it is an excuse. I don’t enjoy it so I don’t make the effort. Logistically I can’t do mornings without one of my dc bothering me, it’s always chaos before school and work. But I could do the evenings. I’m just worn out and simply cannot be arsed at that time. So I know it will take some willpower to create a new habit and actually stick to it.
I am aiming to improve my diet too. I’d been working on this before Christmas but I’ve been a pig over Christmas and feel a bit gross and over it now.

OP posts:
NewYearNewMee · 27/12/2025 23:20

Honestly (no snark intended) everyone has the time to fit it in - people just don’t want to. That was my favourite excuse too tbh 😂 or the “I just can’t be bothered” which again was my go to. The discipline is hard but a couple of years in I feel 10 times better.

If you look into habit stacking (atomic habits is fab!) that might be a good way to add it in to your daily routine with minimal issues to start? If you start with the aim of treadmill every single day with additional weights that’s a lot from doing zero, it’s likely to feel unattainable and lead to quick failure (which then used to make me give up and it was a vicious cycle!) - perhaps aim for two weights sessions and one mobility one a week?

Depending on your aims it might be worth looking at some YouTube videos or some online coaches for workout ideas? Weights workouts would be good to add in, maybe some mobility exercises too rather than extra cardio to start (if you already get lots of walking in). Mobility is key if you’re looking to future proof your body.

Are you changing diet too? Definitely try and get some more protein in if you’re weightlifting all of a sudden, it’ll help your muscle recovery!