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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To have joined a gym even though I hate exercise?

31 replies

thefreshcleanstart · 27/12/2015 10:46

Light hearted. I've done it. I hate exercise, hate moving, hate any unnessecary effort - but I have joined!

Anyone else?

OP posts:
ihatethecold · 27/12/2015 10:47

Can't imagine you'll go much then Grin

Boomingmarvellous · 27/12/2015 10:48

I did the same a few years ago and paid the fees for months and months and never went more than a few weeks!

cardibach · 27/12/2015 10:50

Not unreasonable, but it won't work! You need to find some kind of exercise you do like and do it pretty much daily (just a short time daily). When you are fitter you might find you enjoy gym based things more. Try a personal trainer - not as expensive as a gum membership you don't use.

fitzbilly · 27/12/2015 10:50

Good luck!

YouTheCat · 27/12/2015 10:50

I'm not what you'd call a gym bunny. But I go a few times a week and have managed to keep it up for 18 months. I'm not into exercise. I've lost 3 stones though. Grin

Birdsgottafly · 27/12/2015 10:53

Try the weights, don't be put off by the fact that you have to start off light.

As you get stronger, it's a real confidence boost, your body will change shape and it crosses over into everyday life, very quickly.

You burn lots of calories, as well.

It's been amusing when I've been picking up parcels on C&C and the young assistance have been concerned that I'd struggle. I can now, at 50, lift more than some of my male relatives in their 30's.

Cookingongas · 27/12/2015 10:54

Well done! I'm a hypocrite as I had to cancel my gym- but all the advice of finding exercise I loved didn't work for me. I hate exercise. All of it.
The gym did work. Half hour a day in conditions where all there is to do is exercise without the excuse of rain or family to stop me. Good luck.

Birdsgottafly · 27/12/2015 10:54

Just to add that I've lost five stone and I now wear clothes that I like, not to hide any part of my body.

Not bad going for an old post Menapausal bird.

Oysterbabe · 27/12/2015 10:56

Yabu as resolutioners annoy the regulars by clogging up the machines for a month before they give up. I'm not one of the annoyed regulars BTW, much prefer getting out for a run.

hooliodancer · 27/12/2015 11:02

I did that 12 years ago! Best thing I ever did.

I was always the child lumbering along at the back during PE at school, couldn't run or jump. Got called 'a sack of old potatoes '.
I have been to the gym 4-5 times a week since I joined. My periods used to be extremely painful, within a few months the pain stopped in the main.

This time last year I had lost my mojo a bit- I was still going but started to hate it. I started to do the classes instead of the gym stuff. They were a revelation! I now mainly do classes, and many of them are huge fun.Zumba is amazing! I really wish I had started doing it years ago, especially as it burns the same calories as the equivalent time on the crosstrainer.

It still makes me laugh that I am 'girl less likely to be a gym bunny'!!!

Original poster
thefreshcleanstart · 27/12/2015 11:06

Trust me, there is no exercise I like!

I'm seeing it as a sort of medicine ... Xmas Grin

OP posts:
thenightsky · 27/12/2015 11:11

I've done the same thing twice before. God knows why because I always drift off attending after three months when the boredom sets in. I then had a devil of a job cancelling membership (they don't make it easy).

Now I do Park Run every saturday instead (free) and run a bit in the week too. Plus pilates once a week which has cured my bad back.

Curiouserandcuriouser30 · 27/12/2015 11:13

Well done! I am with you there, I have never been naturally athletic and I hate most types of exercise. I go to the gym and running though, for the smug feeling I get afterwards Grin

SheSparkles · 27/12/2015 11:18

I've been exercise averse for years, until August this year when I tried Pilates to help a back problem...I'm now addicted-seriously can't get enough!! I also now do water aerobics and am away to join the gym (been pay as I go till now) and I can't wait to get on the cross trainer. This is totally alien to me!!
Try lots of different classes, you will find something you like, or dislike less than others! I tried spin thinking I'd love it-couldn't have been more wrong!! I had to be cajoled into going to waterworks and I absolutely love it! Between that and Pilates I'm doing something 5 days a week-completely unlike me!

Original poster
thefreshcleanstart · 27/12/2015 11:20

I think I'll just stick with the equipment - have no idea what Pilates is but it sounds scary! Xmas Grin

OP posts:
SheSparkles · 27/12/2015 11:27

Pilates is all about strengthening and lengthening your core muscles-basically abs, lower back and thighs-very gentle And no jumping about-which is what I hate! After 3 months, despite them still being very protected Grin I can actually feel I have abs for the first time in my life!

AliceScarlett · 27/12/2015 11:29

I did this for a few years before I gave up and bought a rebounder (mini trampoline). The only way I can exercise is at home while being distracted by the tellyConfused

Oldisthenewblack · 27/12/2015 11:31

I don't like exercise either - but I do it for the results. DO try to stick with the gym - it's so worth it. Your body will feel so much better for it, and like a previous poster said, the effects carry over into your every day life. And if you're budget conscious, you'll go if you know the money is being taken from your account every month!

Wolfiefan · 27/12/2015 11:35

I don't enjoy the gym much unless I have music. Good music.
Get a good programme, get it regularly updated and you will soon see results.
Good luck.

suzannecaravaggio · 27/12/2015 11:35

Thanks OP, I love the gym and without folk who pay membership but never go it probably wouldn't be financially viable!

Original poster
thefreshcleanstart · 27/12/2015 11:38

But I am going, suzanne Xmas Hmm

I am very budget conscious, and also care about my health so I will do this, even though going isn't actually a pleasure, as it is for some lucky folks!

OP posts:
suzannecaravaggio · 27/12/2015 11:43

Great stuff keep up the good work💪

maddy68 · 27/12/2015 12:44

Join a class rather than using the machines. They keep you more motivated

Original poster
thefreshcleanstart · 27/12/2015 13:03

I don't think I'm brave enough for classes, yet - prefer to take things at my own pace a bit more for now!

OP posts:
BigChocFrenzy · 27/12/2015 13:45

Well done, OP
I love the gym and I go regularly 5-6 days times per week, so I get my money's worth !

The good thing about being a beginner is that you can make great improvements in fitness, if you stick with it for a couple of months.

It can be difficult to start training on your own, because you don't really know what you are doing.
So, I also recommend trying classes - you can ask about which are suitable for a beginner. Noone is going to laugh - we all started somewhere.

Try a variety of classes and you should find a few things you enjoy and are likely to stick to.
So much more enjoyable and motivating to be with other people and to have the trainer encouraging you.
Also, it is a definite date and time, so you are more likely to attend.

Spin is often good to start, because you can set your own resistance and noone minds if a beginner pedals slowly for a breather.
Fun classes might be Zumba, Taibo .... Try them all and see.

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