How can I get ‘into’ exercise ?

I was a exercise avoider for most of my life.

A few years ago I realised I was extremely unfit, so decided to give Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred a go. I promised myself I would do the 30 days, and even had a calendar where I crossed off every day as I went.

It was hard, the first week I felt like I was dying but I made myself carry on. And you know what, by the end of 30 days I had noticed SUCH a difference, I didn't want to stop. I had so much more energy that I noticed a difference on the days I hadn't exercised. I was much more toned. I was converted!

I also realised that I did enjoy exercise, I just hadn't found a kind that worked for me until now. I don't enjoy playing sports, running or gyms. But I can handle 30 mins of exercise 5 days a week, if I can do it in my own home with minimal equipment.

Since then I have subscribed to the My Fitness app, which has the 30 day shred along with many other programmes. You can also create custom workouts based on level, time, what equipment you have, etc. It's brilliant.

I forgot to add, incorporate skipping and childhood activities like handstands, forward rolls and headstands. If you haven't done them for a while you have to take care to use a mat and use a wall for support.

It's amazing how you can improve if you do a little daily.

If you’re worried about getting a puncture just get the tyres filled with foam. So long as you’re not performance cycling it won’t make a lot of difference and it stops them going flat. I do it on my kids’ bikes.

I had the baby paunch for years and no matter how strenuous my exercise regime was, it never shifted.

It has gone now though. I rehauled a few things through trial and error over the years.

No. 1 was going on a fast using an app, so I was doing it with others and it was as hard work mentally as a physical work out.

Namely you have to have a dedication and a positive mindset.

The importance of sticking to a fast over 3 days with adequate fluid and salt- I had marmite stock as my go to drink after water, green tea and coffee.

Then having fermented foods- miso soup, natto, pickles, saukraut after learning about the gut biome, and choosing nutritionally dense foods like oily fish, avocados, cheese and lots of green and leafy vegetables including sea vegetables like nori.

I maintained going for long, hilly fast walks with intermittent running; Pilates, and dancing to music at home.

It is fun and positive minded to cook and do something like clean up or do the laundry or clean your teeth while bopping to music or stretching and ballet for a different tempo.

So change your eating habits and daily activities to incorporate fun, music and dance.

It is transformative

If it is routine that motivates you, try to remove any thought about it. If you think too much, you will give yourself permission not to do it sometimes and gradually not stick to your new ideas.

Line up what you will do each day and then do it without thinking. If you exercise in the morning get your kit ready the night before and roll out of bed and straight into it and go out, rather than stop for breakfast.

If you can, build in some exercise around work so you walk part of the way or cycle or find a gym or pool nearby for lunchtime. It is easier if you don't go back home first, unless you know you will get straight into your kit and go. If you WFH, build exercise in to lunchtime and get out of the house everyday come rain or shine. Again no thinking allowed!

I think the more you do, the more it becomes just something you do.

If you've got access to a spin bike or treadmill, it might be worth trying a peloton app free trial and see what you think - I've been using it for about 18 months now, and really enjoy it - you can filter the classes by instructor, music, length, difficulty etc etc. and it goes beyond the bike and tread, you can do strength, yoga, meditate, run/walk outdoors. The subscription is 12.99 a month, so not too bad for s9 much content.

I do Adriene's 30 days of yoga every January, which is lovely, but I'm afraid I don't keep up with daily yoga afterwards, I like to mix up my exercise quite a bit otherwise I find it a bit boring. I generally run once or twice a week, spin once a week, see a PT fortnightly, yoga class weekly, walk when I can. That's pretty much the max that I can fit in.

Have you seen the recent thread about signing up to the 30 days of yoga with Adrienne? Might be another good thing to try!

I like doing it first thing before i talk myself out of it.

We got a Peloton - the convenience factor is the thing that makes it for me. I exercise in the morning before work, I have options in terms of time and type of class (cycling, cardio, yoga etc) but the fact I don’t have to go anywhere is what makes it work. I have exercised at least 5 times a week since March as a result……

I was you last year, plus I have dodgy arthritic knees.

For the first time in my adult life, I've exercised regularly throughout 2021, and haven't stopped, simply because I discovered I could read my kindle really easily while walking on a treadmill.

Now I look forward to picking up from where I left off each morning. It's 30-60 minutes of pleasure. Words I never thought I'd say.

I also made getting to the gym as easy as possible by finding the closest one, not beating myself up if I took the car when it was sleeting or I was stiff, and by purchasing additional exercise wear, so I could always roll out of bed and go without faffing.

I've been losing my baby weight for 22 years I credit FINALLY shifting it to combining reading, which I love with walking, which I can tolerate. Good luck!

I really think it's "fake it till you make it". I hated it at first. Sweaty, tired, a lot of effort. But then, gradually, I was even looking forward to it. It took a while to feel the buzz. And then there's the feeling you're doing something really important for you/your health. Then you start seeing results Merry Christmas!

You say you enjoy your one class a week so you’re almost there!

I do think that doing something you enjoy will help. Love the idea of ice-skating. Or rollerskating.

www.google.com/amp/s/www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/taking-it-easy/202001/how-long-does-it-take-form-new-habit%3famp
This article might help. I noticed the reference to reward. Perhaps reward yourself in some small way after you exercise? Good luck.

I run three to four times a week (very slowly) - until 3 years ago I couldn't run to the end of the road (I am in my 40s) The biggest switch for me was realising that I was doing it for my mental health, rather than to get fit or lose weight - it was a game changer for me. I love my time outside in the fresh air - I run before work (so am often out around 6.30am for 30 mins) and I miss it when I don't do it. My mind still boggles that this is actually me I am writing about 😂

I would recommend C25k. I started it during lockdown as a means to get out of the house. I’m now running 4-5 times a week and feel much better for it. I’m now trying to improve my running by doing more strength training and finally learning to swim (properly!). For me it was getting started with something structured and the rest followed on from there (weight loss, better diet etc).

Good luck op, it’s definitely worth doing!

I go country walking. Ill choose a big hill and go up it. I'm 60. I bought some expensive wide fitting walking boots. You've got to be comfortable.
I'm 60 and I make sure I do an uphill walk that makes my heart pound. I combine it with my hobby of soap and herbal cream making and collect various ingredients like nettles and berries on my walk.

You can't. I've been very fit from time to time, but whatever I do it's a tedious chore that takes time I could be spending on fun stuff. I do Jillian Michaels, at least it's quick.

Others have said it but I have to say c25k is a really good start.

In the same boat so following with interest xxxxxx

Following as I’m the same. Used to do loads, but I got made redundant and so had the time. I do shifts now and I just don’t feel like doing a class/running/swimming when I’ve been up since 0430!

I do martial arts but struggling with going as there’s lots of kids and I always seem to pick up coughs and colds there which is not ideal at the moment. I preferred when we could go but still had to stay distanced in class.