To wonder how to teach myself to love exercising

[aileen1234]

As I frigging hate it. It's boring, sweaty and painful, what's to like?

Yet this is the only way to get the body of my dreams isn't it?

Sounds to me that something like yoga or Pilates might be more your thing? No pounding no techno music no getting sweaty and the bonus of relaxation ...

I do do other exercise (not motivated last two weeks though!) but I love Pilates and yoga feels like a treat gym session and my tummy is def getting less pouchy with Pilates xx

I'm really inflexible! there is no hope!

I hate it too. Still going to keep,going tho (so I can eat cake guilt free after!) if anything it makes me feel worse about myself, I never used to be this floppy. But it's not going to get better sitting here being miserable, so I might as well be out there running being miserable!

I totally understand. I hate it too. I'm trying to make myself, but it's not very enjoyable. I injure myself with every single thing I've tried! I'm still on Day 1 of couch to 5K, not because of stamina, but because of pain. I've tried it so many times and can't get beyond that.

What I really hate is the sweaty face! And pretty much any exercise that is going to do me any good is going to result in that. It's not a normal amount of redness and sweat, but ridiculously much, and it lasts for about an hour after I get back, long after my heart rate and everything else has returned to normal. My face is still radiating heat and redness. So can't go anywhere for more than an hour afterwards either as I'm still dripping. Can't wear makeup for a couple of hours after either, as it just melts off. It's not a stamina thing really as even when I get fitter, I still get the red/heat on my face, and well after the rest of me is back to normal. Looks absolutely awful and makes me feel hideous.

I've never really had the endorphins thing either! Some of us are perhaps just not going to get it from exercise. And of course the comments from other people along the way don't do much to enhance the experience!

Just try ten minute YouTube workouts. Short sharp etc.

Well how about walking ? Won't get you too sweaty, doesn't require too much gear but if you're doing nothing at the minute if you get up to 10,000 steps a day should improve your general fitness and burn a few calories.

I hate hate exercise with a passion, always have done. I hate the smells, getting hot and sweaty.

Then l rediscovered swimming. I bloody love it. Relaxing, quiet, non sweaty, but l still get breathless.

I hate all excersise except horse riding. I also walk my dogs religiously but that's because I have to otherwise they annoy me too much

The only other thing I do is the occasional 7 min workout as that's the length of time I have before I get bored!

Have you tried the rowing machine? With really upbeat, empowering music on your iPod? I hated gyms till I found rowing. It's easy, you get to sit down! But it melts fat away quickly and your legs, back, shoulders and tummy look AMAZING.

Have you tried cycling?

Seems to me that pilates and yoga are things you do to increase flexibility, not activities reserved to reward the chosen few for being born flexible.

So, give one or both a go and see if they're enjoyable. If they're not, they're not.

Thanks Tara .. You saved me a post xx

I also hate exercise and am crap at it. 3 years ago I forced myself to get up at 6am everyday and did p90, then p90x and then insanity. I can't honestly say I ever loved it - but I did start to get the buzz and my body started to look more toned. However, it only really became ok when I got much fitter and could actually do the exercises. My point I suppose is that you have to persist- who's going to enjoy running when their knees are giving way and their wheezing and sweating buckets? Much better when you have some stamina and endurance. I much preferred my fitness levels when I did the exercising ....running upstairs without getting out of breath, walking fast through town to work, cycling with the kids etc. I think I've convinced myself now so might start p90 again on Monday! Piled all the weight I lost back on and get out of breath easily again.

I take my IPad to the gym and read books on it. Or I walk,
listening to a talking book. I never ever get a buzz from going to the gym - I probably don't do it right and don't give it my all but it has made a difference.
If you make a note of how you do with something and do it twice more in a week you will see an improvement, which might make you keener.
I know I don't work as hard as I should, but I comfort myself with the thought that I do more than most women of my age,

I was having this chat with DH yesterday. I hate exercising but need to go to manage health issues.

I go 4-5 times a week and mix up gym, spinning, swimming and Pilates. The only thing I genuinely enjoy is Pilates,

I have found that making it a routine / habit works for me. I am very routine driven and have a set time table in the week. So, I get cross with myself if I don't go. I don't get a buzz after - more the relief of finishing - but feel happier in myself. Also, my joints are getting better and I am getting fitter/slimmer.

Try getting a set routine and make it a habit.

I hate it too but I just accept that I don't like it and get on with it- the results are so worthwhile - I've lost two stone, reduced medication for blood pressure, sleep better, have more energy and, long term, saved money (buying less alcohol/treats ) - even when I factor in the cost of gym membership.

Agree with Essex - make it part of your routine.

There's lots of things in life that I 'hate' - but just have to get on with them. .

Cycling.

Worth it for the downhills.

Totally agree with you, OP. I hate exercise too. I resent the time that it takes up when I'd much rather be doing something else.

I'm currently trying a Fitbit to increase how much I walk. I have a treadmill at home which I bought ages ago in an attempt to start running (too embarrassed to run outside as I'm so fat). My current strategy is walk briskly on the treadmill while reading a book. It relieves the boredom and I can do half an hour that way.

Try an exercise that is fun to do. I teach Hula fitness classes and we spend a lot of time laughing and learning new skills. We forget we are exercising so its a win win solution.
Just walking with the kids is a good start. Fresh air absorbing the outdoors is great for the soul and the heart!

I found exercise is a bit like alcohol, it's vile, you persevere, then suddenly you start to enjoy it, it makes you buzz and you want more more more. Good music definitely helps as does finding something you can tolerate to begin with (walking/swimming/horse riding/tennis/Zumba/yoga etc etc). There will be something there for you!

I agree with you OP, I've always hated sport, probably not helped by having a hateful PE teacher at school and yes, I can still see her mean, pinched face after all these years. What about a bit of marching on the spot while waiting for the kettle to boil? Or try sit-down-stand-up (with arms folded) when the ads come on the telly? Don't worry about 'saving your legs' when going about your daily tasks, use them and you may find that little things like this will help to get you moving a bit more without that hateful label of 'exercise'.

Same here OP. I never get the buzz that people describe. I hate being sweaty and I hate that stiff achey feeling the day afterwards.
The only exercise I ever enjoyed was Pilates. I went to a fantastic class for years, saw good results but there was no getting hot and sweaty. I came out feeling relaxed it was brilliant. Unfortunately the instructor's contract wasn't renewed despite the class being over subscribed. Instead of Pilates it was body something or other which was shit.
I've tried loads of other Pilates classes but none have been as good as the first one and I stopped going.

I second everyone recommending yoga/pilates. I think they're the one type of exercise I've tried where I could actually see results pretty much immediately - even if I compare the beginning of a session to the end, I'll usually find I can stretch a tiny bit further or it hurts a tiny bit less to get into a position. It's great! In my class there are people of all sizes, ages and abilities - you really don't have to be a supple, young, toned goddess to do pilates!
Something else that helped me was roping in a friend to do exercise classes or go to the gym with me so we didn't feel as intimidated and could sort of "peer pressure" each other into sticking with it.

I fucking hate exercise. I still think of watching Geordie Shore when the fellas would go and do weights before going out that night to "get a buzz on" and that and wonder "why do I not get that?!". I wish I was one of those people who get cross if they can't get to the gym.

I went to a PT for a while to build up fitness a bit, then did a bootcamp type set of classes. That was good because I a) paid for it up front so if I missed a class it was like "well that was a waste of £12.50", and b) it made me get into a routine. That's coming to an end though and I don't know what I'm going to do to keep myself motivated.