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Original poster

Why do I have a mental block with exercise?

51 replies

Roblakeswife · 01/08/2020 23:41

I have everything at my disposal. Weights, running machine, cross trainer, rowing machine. A push bike. Even a 5m by 3m freezing cold pool in our garden currently that you can actually swim in. I'm hugely lucky. I want to exercise. I need to exercise. I'm really unfit. The rest of my family do but I struggle with it. I feel silly, self conscious, embarrassed, useless, like I cant do it. The only thing I like is running but gave up after multiple injuries (shin splints, plantar fasciitis, tendonitis).
How can I get over this mental block? I try to do something. Tried the cross trainer and my arms hurt within seconds so I gave up.

OP posts:
Original poster
Roblakeswife · 02/08/2020 14:05

Me not mean!

OP posts:
Original poster
Roblakeswife · 02/08/2020 14:06

How do you access physio/podiatrist? Guessing would be private?

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EmmaStone · 02/08/2020 14:37

It's a gorgeous day here, how about a walk or a bike ride? Just getting out and enjoying being outside.

Re: podiatrist/physio, I've paid (although also have a health care plan through work that I can get cash back on). Physio I've used someone local who is highly regarded (she's wondrous!), podiatrist I looked up someone near my work and went during my lunch hour. I've also seen an osteopath when I was having a few back issues. None that expensive here, maybe £30-£40, and often only needing one or two appointments.

But you can get your gait analysed at a decent running shoe store (and it has to be a store that specialises in running, not a JD Sports or the like), and they can tell if you over or under probate and recommend shoes accordingly, although the physio or podiatrist could do that too.

Interested in this thread?

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Exercise & fitness Fitness
lljkk · 02/08/2020 14:41

Sounds like you would benefit from a personal trainer, OP.

Original poster
Roblakeswife · 02/08/2020 15:21

Thank you. My bike is actually a bit knackered, needs fixing! I have been in the freezing pool, in a wetsuit (never done that before) felt really self conscious. Husband was lovely, youngest child pointed out how much it brought out my double chin!! Confused managed to swim a bit. Was nice, very refreshing!
I did a PT before through gym but not going to any gyms at the moment. Feels too risky and PTs are expensive arent they. Maybe I could text the one I had at the gym, she might do private stuff? She was really lovely but was about 50 pounds a session! Shock very expensive gym. We are no longer members anyway!

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lljkk · 02/08/2020 15:26

tbh, with all the equipment you described in 1st post, it sounded like you had the financial resources to afford a PT. It requires effort to change habits, however you do it.

Mojitomogul · 02/08/2020 15:30

I would definitely start small- all the stuff you've listed would intimidate me! I think start off by for a 30 min brisk walk every morning or evening. Stick in your headphones with a good spotify playlist or podcast. If you walk quite fast, you will work up a sweat and it will make a big difference over time.
Also have you ever tried yoga? It can seem really hard at first but as you build up strength (I literally couldnt do the downward dog pose until one day my wrists and arms were strong enough-felt amaze) but theres some great videos on you tube, personally I find yoga with Adrienne too much talking, but there's some great videos with Ashton August from yogi approved. Start with either hatha, or yin yoga to stretch out. Don't go for vinyasa or ashtanga as they can be way more intense. It really helps mentally and physically, and any aches or pains seem to feel so much better after yoga.

Original poster
Roblakeswife · 02/08/2020 15:34

Lljk it is all second hand sourced by my husband.

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Original poster
Roblakeswife · 02/08/2020 15:35

Yes definitely I do feel intimidated and overwhelmed.

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Original poster
Roblakeswife · 02/08/2020 15:36

Oh we have punch bags too. Last year I did kickboxing classes. I loved it, really loved it, but stopped going because every time I got to the front to do the pattern I had forgotten and think people got fed up having to remind me. So I started to feel uncomfortable and awkward. Such a shame cos I loved punching the pads!!

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TerpsichoreanMuse · 02/08/2020 16:43

What do you like about running? How is it different?

Original poster
Roblakeswife · 02/08/2020 18:44

That's a really good question! I used to like how you can just plod along and clear your head. Work through stuff mentally. It releases lots of feel good endorphins and I used to have such a sense of achievement. Could set goals (trained for a 10k 6 years ago) and achieve them. Much needed alone time. Oh I miss it! But my fitness is nothing like it was 6 years ago. However I probably got injuries cos I didnt do anything else. Just running.

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Original poster
Roblakeswife · 02/08/2020 18:45

I tried to run again in april. On the treadmill and started couch to 5k but got tendonitis. Took weeks for the pain to go.

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Original poster
Roblakeswife · 02/08/2020 18:46

And running outside just feels quite freeing doesnt it. Love that feeling!!

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TooManyPlatesInMotion · 02/08/2020 18:50

I think the key is to find something you like.
I have the opposite problem. Love many forms of exercise, really do. But my eating is totally out of control at the moment so I am gaining weight despite running about 25 miles a week plus other stuff.

Fiit is good, as is Les Mills. There are also fab dance classes available online (home studio? Or similar? Google it).

Or just go out for a lovely scenic walk each day as a start?

SuzieCarmichael · 02/08/2020 19:57

Ok well if you like running but suffer from injuries can you do some research online to figure out some strengthening training which would help support your muscles?
Perhaps if you can afford a PT that would be a good remit to give them.

SuzieCarmichael · 02/08/2020 19:58

In the meantime yes - get out there and walk! Get an OS map to plan your routes or do geocaching or whatever else gives you a sense of structure, if that helps motivate you.

morefun · 02/08/2020 20:23

I'm not convinced that everybody needs to exercise as an activity in itself. What's wrong with just being active? So you walk most places that you need to go, you rush about when you do housework, you play sports purely because you enjoy them..? That's what I do. Just rush about, walk to places, do yoga because I enjoy it, etc

3ormore3 · 02/08/2020 20:25

Watching with interest!

TenCornMaidens · 02/08/2020 20:54

Well done getting in the pool!

You could try a beginners cardio or a beginners bodyweight exercises video on YouTube.

Or just decide you have to do SOMETHING active for a few minutes every day. One day a walk, one day a run, one day a swim, one day a video, one day lots of hoovering....then you don't get bored.

Packingsoapandwater · 02/08/2020 21:35

Go small. Like stupidly small. So small that you can't not do it because that would be ridiculous.

I started training again by saying I'd do 5 squats a day with my bar bell. 5 reps is so few that it would be silly not to do it. It takes less than 30 seconds. Of course, when I've done 5, I tend to do another 5. And then sometimes I do another 5 later on in the day.

But all I have commited to do is 5, so the momentum is there on a daily basis.

I've found going micro works for all manner of things I have a block with: exercise, work tasks, household stuff, self care.

Holdingtherope · 02/08/2020 21:38

Are you competitive? I find a Fitbit very motivating as I like to win step challenges!

LockdownLoser · 02/08/2020 21:48

If you liked kick boxing you might well like body combat on the les mills on demand. It's my favourite one!

I hated exercise until this year when I started a bootcamp in January, class of 6, varying levels of fitness. I haven't looked back, dropped 2 stone, am pretty fit and best of all I enjoy it!

I have since started all sorts of other stuff and have a whole set of bootcamp stuff at home.

PerfectionistProcrastinator · 03/08/2020 00:10

@Packingsoapandwater

Go small. Like stupidly small. So small that you can't not do it because that would be ridiculous.

I started training again by saying I'd do 5 squats a day with my bar bell. 5 reps is so few that it would be silly not to do it. It takes less than 30 seconds. Of course, when I've done 5, I tend to do another 5. And then sometimes I do another 5 later on in the day.

But all I have commited to do is 5, so the momentum is there on a daily basis.

I've found going micro works for all manner of things I have a block with: exercise, work tasks, household stuff, self care.

I like this suggestion, I’m going to start doing this, thank you!

As I mentioned upthread I’ve started this small by jogging/walking but for some reason didn’t occur to me to do this with something like squats (which I struggle with massively).

TerpsichoreanMuse · 03/08/2020 20:59

@Roblakeswife I was the same with running, loved the outdoors and the feeling of escape. I was told not to run too, due to a cyst in my spine. The closest things to it for me are riding my mountain bike (but harder in poor weather and only one or two routes locally) and Peloton. The latter doesn't have the lovely outdoors but does let me cycle hard for a short amount of time & get the endorphin buzz, where real cycling is too intermittent (hills, downhills, flats) to do so. It's designed to be addictive too, and I'm getting into power zone training.

I also enjoyed CrossFit apart from the drive to the box, but won't be taking that up again at the moment. They were great with my injury and it really does work to make you strong.