Is anyone else racked with guilt if they don't exercise?

[Magnificen]

I'm a typical 50 something. Always been overweight. I look 'ok' but am def 2 or 3 stone overweight. Always losing and gaining the same 2lbs. Weight is definitely a big part of my daily thoughts although I am really trying to change my mindset and have improved. I am learning to accept myself and appreciate that life is too short to be constantly hating ones own body.

However I am utterly consumed with guilt if I don't exercise. I allow myself 2 days a week with no exercise. Today I dont feel well. Nothing serious. Just feeling bleurgh. I absolutely can't face swim/walk/gym but am consumed with guilt because I've already had a day off exercise.

I know that exercise has little impact on weight and that diet is the key but I just can't seem to give myself permission to be ok not exercising. I'm so jealous of my husband who plays golf once a week and does bugger all else but has zero guilt about it.

Does anyone else feel like this about exercise? It feels borderline like an eating disorder? Not sure I'm being dramatic tho. The guilt is absolutely all consuming tho.

(This thread is about guilt and exercise. I'm not looking for weight loss advice thank you)

Nope

Yes! I exercise far less than I should, but I can’t just accept it - i waste so much time feeling guilty.

on average i cycle 5 miles a day/two which helps maintain my weight, i do try to max my route so i feel psychology i have exercised, but it can be a mix

Do you actually enjoy the exercise you do?

No, I never really think about exercise and I certainly don't do any planned exercises.

I think I move about more than enough in my daily life.

Erm... nope

Nope, do enough exercise at work.

Yes. Last year stated swimming avidly bmi is 32. Feel awful if I miss a session

Have felt dreadful last few weeks with I think anaemia/ burnout and missed:

2 swims through lack of energy

2 swims through work

2 swims though holidays

Will also miss 1 tomorrow due to work and next week having brows micorbladed so will miss more swims - I'm so tempted to cancel my microblading so I can fit in more swims but I feel crap!

Need to get a grip really. Still smashed out 4k this week 😴

Yes I do. I'll go through a phase of exercising regularly. Then I'll miss just one session - and not go again for months. During which time I moan and complain to mystic and do nothing about it. Until one day I start again - and round and round we go!

Complain to myself that should read!

Nope.

Yes I exercise 5 days a week but I have been struggling with a couple of health niggles and it’s driving me up the wall. I can’t relax and feel guilty.

Oh yes. I have it drummed into me (by myself, I hasten to add, not from anyone else!) that I do 30mins at least per day. I do mix it up - Pilates, yoga, weights, cardio, walking etc, but I have a daily plan and feel dreadful if I don’t do anything. I was not happy when injured a few weeks ago! I do really enjoy it though (despite it having zero impact on my weight 😒). I also like being relatively strong and flexi for a fat 50 something..

Yes I feel bad if I don’t do it every day. Not even so much guilty just annoyed with myself. I’ll allow myself to get away with it if I’ve walked enough that day but otherwise it makes me feel a bit disappointed.

Not to that extent but I do feel guilty yes. I aim for 5-6 sessions a week but I try not to be too hard on myself when life gets in the way. The important thing is building a long term habit, and missing a few sessions because you're under the weather won't wreck that.

I'm an exercise nut and work out seriously, with weights, at least 6 days a week, plus an active rest day (which is mostly walking and stretching).

If for any reason I am unable to exercise on a workout day I still do a 10-minute easy workout and/or some yoga or stretching.

They'll have to wrestle my dumbbells out of my cold, dead hands. I never want to go back to being a couch potato ever again. I feel so much better and more energetic because I exercise.

Couldn't care less.

No, I don't have this, and I think there is a form of bulimia isn't it where there is a component about having obsessive/compulsive thoughts about exercise.

I would look it up - I bet there are some useful eating disorder websites.

No, or at least I give myself a talking to if I do, because it’s not a healthy thought process. Sometimes your body needs to rest and recover. Sometimes life gets in the way. Sometimes there is just something better to do!!

I don't feel guilty when I miss a workout, but I do miss it and that sits with me for a while.
I enjoy working out (lots of fast dog walking and intensive weights at home 4 or 5 times a week) for the physical and mental benefits, plus as a late 40s perimenopausal woman I need to exercise for so many reasons.
The fact that you're exercising is good, try not to give yourself a hard time, and just do what you can when you can. You can always pick things up again.

yes, it's what gets me out of bed at 5:45 every weekday morning to get to the gym. It does make me feel less mentally unwell, I know it does nothing for my weight but since using weights I am i think counteracting some of the middle age landslide (am 52). Knowing it doesn't really affect weight has made me do less cardio and more weights which is undoubtedly better. Full disclosure though i am not rational about my weight so may not be representative. A slight change in the scales does not make my day happy.

I feel like this sometimes if I am in a period where I am actively trying to lose weight/ get fitter, and I don't stick to goals that I set myself.

It can be a very negative cycle and just make you feel worse and even less motivated.

Have you thought about speaking to a counsellor? - I think it's a mindset thing and can have some deep roots about self worth etc. It's worth exploring why we do this to ourselves, because at the end of the day if you're exercising 5 times a week most weeks, you're smashing it!

I am in the same age bracket and overweight bracket as you, OP. No, I never feel racked with guilt over not exercising. If I did, I'd probably exercise more!

I do 2/3 runs and 3 weights sessions a week. I really enjoy it & exercise is a non negotiable for my mental health. I workout on holiday because I like it, but no, I don't feel guilty if I'm ill or life stops me from working out for a few days.

My biggest fear is overdoing it & damaging my back or knees or something, so I won't be able to be active anymore. Rest days & looking after myself when I'm ill is every bit as important as the working out.

Dunno how people do nothing though, I'd feel so uncomfortable & be unbearable to live with.

“I would do anything to be fit , except get up early or take any form of exercise. “

Oscar Wilde.

Very wise man.