Help me love exercise

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I'm watching the Olympics. I assume it is a marathon run. I won't lie I hate running. But I want to start getting stronger and fitter. The determination of these women is amazing!

Where should I start? And how can I start loving exercise?

How do you feel about joining a coach to 5k group? The key is finding something you love. But don't expect to love everything straight away. Exercise is fun but can be challenging. Lots of gyms have great classes which can be a really good way to start. Watching sports or films about sports can be very motivational. Good luck. 💪🏻😃

Have a go at parkruns, walk if you like then build up week by week.

Find something you enjoy is the key to exericise and it doesn't become a chore.

Do you like the gym? Exercise classes? Have you looked into what your local lesiure centre can offer? Swimming?

You can just go for walks in varying places or If you wanted to start running I'd 100% recommend Couch 2 5K

I started my own couch 2 5k journey in March.

I'm still doing it due to varying life factors (injury, holidays, busy times at work etc) but i'm finally on the last week tomorrow and I've genuinely gone from not being able to run for long to being obsessed and being able to run for nearly 30 minutes. I've also entered 2 runs, a 5k next month and a 10k next year! Not sure who I am anymore! 😂

A work colleague inspired me to do it, and I'm glad he did!

I just need to build up the confidence and have a Saturday free to go to park run!

Start slow is another piece of advice I'd give and just build up

I would be happy to do couch 2 5k. I will have a look at that and a park run or group run. I'll have a look to see if there are any near me. I'm just thinking about swimming too.

I love walking but find going by myself a bit depressing really. Maybe a walking group would do me good too! My bike needs fixing atm. But will aim to do that once I have better finances.

I'm a bit scared the gym and classes.

The key to exercise is finding something you actually enjoy doing, rather than something you feel you should be doing. Doesn't have to be running. I enjoy indoor cycling/spinning and lifting weights but need to do both in a class for motivation. I used to run when dc were younger as it was convenient and could fit it in any time but I didn't actually enjoy it and found it a bit dull running alone - it also aggravates my back so I prefer walking now. I find the gym boring but really enjoy classes so may just be a question of trying a few different things to see what sticks.

I'd say just try different things until you find one you like. My top three are:

Pilates
Aquafit
Running in the gym while listening to audio books

But yours will probably be different. You could also try something like dancing if you thought you'd like it.

Swimming is a good complement to walking & running, when weather is bad. Uses your upper body which others don't, not too expensive. Look for lanes sessions with a slow lane session.

Something I found helpful (if you have the cash) was that I did a series of sessions (5 I think) in the gym with a personal trainer. She basically just took me through some of the equipment that I'd been a bit scared to use and that gave me lots more options to use in the gym and demystified the whole thing of weight training machines for me!

How unfit are you now? And is there any form of exercise you have ever enjoyed?

I was completely and totally unfit. Had a go at exercise a few times and always had to give up after injuring my knees. Tried swimming, loved it, my skin hated it and I found all the skincare I was needing to do a faff. Tried yoga and pilates because everyone said I'd love it - just so so bored and hated it.

I think you need to try a lot of different things to find out: what you like and what your body likes

Eventually I found that I like high energy so I get an endorphin buzz (sorry pilates) but needs to be absolutely kind to my knees - so no running or jumping. And if I have to go out to do it, I probably won't bother.

But everyone is different - I know some people find having to go to a class is what motivates them while for me it was a complete turn off.

I do Team Bodyproject at home, Daniel is just the right kind of motivating for me - again I found I don't like someone shouty. The best bit about exercise is that in the first few weeks the improvements are dramatic

So try a lot of different things and don't be discouraged if you give up, there's always something else and that might be the one.

I like cycling but my partner has my bike at the moment as he goes more often than me. I want to start with weights but no idea how or when etc. maybe I need a you tube class.

I don't like being shouted at or told to work harder. It makes me want to give up and tell them where to go. No idea why as I'm really not an aggressive person.

My fitness isn't too bad for someone as inactive as I currently am. But I'm talking walking fit. Not running fit.