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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think you can't enjoy exercise if you just ... don't?

382 replies

catscurledupbythefire · 09/04/2017 12:28

I would be interested if anybody ever has because I. Hate. It.

I hate - classes (am a bit thick slow to pick things up, so can take keep up. Plus can see myself in the mirror) the gym generally as I just get bored and it hurts and I can't focus on anything like music or a film because all I can think is 'ow this hurts, ow, ow, ow' walks (get bored on my own) running (no chance) cycling (hurts my backside) swimming (I just can't be doing with all the faff.)

So - any ideas? Or should I just write off exercise and moderate my food intake RIGHT down?

OP posts:
amusedbush · 10/04/2017 15:21

I get up at 445 every morning to run.

Wait... there are two 4 o'clocks in a day? ShockGrin

vorpent · 10/04/2017 16:07

Op, I always hated exercise, I feel your pain! I don't exactly love it now, but the breakthrough for me was doing the c25k app from zenlabs. It's designed so you build up very very slowly, and you can feel yourself getting gradually fitter.

Before that, I'd try going for a run and being completely unfit, yes, I would feel like I was going to die, get totally discouraged and soon give up. Same goes for exercise classes: they're too hard to start with, so it's discouraging and embarrassing.

What I've learned is, it's not so much what type of exercise you choose, as the fact that you need gradual progression.

Clarabell33 · 10/04/2017 16:13

You say exercise makes you go 'ow'. Is this just impact-based, e.g. running or sitting on an uncomfortable bike seat? If so, try Body Pump - yes it's a class, set to music, involving weights, not exactly exciting... so you might hate it but it's low-impact, so whilst you'll certainly probably still go 'ow' it should be in a different way. It's hard to skive (as you say you do in Pilates etc) as even if you do very light weights, it's still doing something. No prancing around either like in aerobics, everyone stays in their spot for the whole class so no one will notice you being out of sync. I think it's also good re quick results - if you give it a chance you can build up to a decent set of weights quickly and you'll notice yourself toning up quickly too. And the knock-on effect is that as your muscles tone up, you might find some forms of cardio easier... It's great for increasing bone density and burns a reasonable amount of calories too.

It does hurt the next day, possibly even for a few days. But a good sort of sore, where you feel like you're still exercising the muscles that are aching. The best cure I found is to do it again a few days later. Doing weights is also the only form of exercise I've tried (out of many) where I got a noticeable endorphin rush.

Re 'skinny, toned girls' in classes - yes, sure, plenty of those. But lots of normal, large and very large people do weights classes, perhaps cos it's low-impact/quick results...

Last comment... I completely mentally disconnect when exercising. It's my downtime, more relaxing mentally for me than anything else. Sounds like you're expecting to be entertained/enthralled whilst exercising? Don't. Enjoy being able to switch your brain off for a short while!

iloveruby · 10/04/2017 16:15

I am an intermittent exerciser - I walk my dog daily and ride my horses - but I've always struggled to be motivated to do'proper' exercise. I know that I need to in order to get better at riding and generally be more healthy but I've always found an excuse.

And then i read this thread.......honestly OP, I've found it so irritating reading all the excuses that the idea I could sound like that was awful!! So, today I did some 'proper' exercise - thank you!!

KoalaDownUnder · 10/04/2017 16:15

There are loads and loads of things that we don't like that we basically have to do, but exercise really is not one of them.

Well, it depends what you mean by 'have to'. Of course nobody's got a gun to your head. But you kind of do 'have to' if you want a decent chance at staying healthy. It's a bit like saying you don't 'have to' brush your teeth or eat any vegetables.

Unfortunately, the human body is not designed to be as sedentary as our modern lifestyles allow us to be. Nobody is hauling water from wells or scrubbing clothes by hand or picking food from the fields anymore. So instead, we have to either ride bikes or run or lift weights or whatever, if we want healthy hearts, muscles, joints, etc.

2rebecca · 10/04/2017 16:15

I think goals help, and a group. I found park runs helped motivate me for running and club cycle rides helped with cycling. Cycling is much easier on your joints than running. Decent kit makes a huge difference though and I suppose deciding to spend money on decent shorts saddle and lightweight properly fitting bike require motivation.. Strava also helps motivate me as people give each other virtual pats on the back and if you're a bit geeky there's lots of data to analyse.
I like being slim and toned and also like food so have to exercise.

Original poster
catscurledupbythefire · 10/04/2017 16:41

ADisappearingDream tbf I don't know why you post either! I don't mean that crossly so sorry if it comes across that way!

But here I've clearly laid the premise out , i don't like exercise. I'm posting NOT for ideas necessarily although they are welcome but to see if it's 'just me' and it's not!

With the other thread yes my size affects our relationship but I realised in the thread DH was right (this must never be quoted!) and I do need to shift my arse. But then the thread turned into people saying the way I wanted to do this was wrong and silly.

So really, post or don't post, but it's daft to demand someone does something because you said so. I'm 35, I am lazy and I am not very bright. I'm probably not gonna change - this isn't in any way a reflection on you!!

OP posts:
iloveruby · 10/04/2017 16:48

My mum says stuff like "I'm not very bright" but I always suspect it is her way of remaining passive in a situation and not taking responsibility. To be honest, those who aren't very bright tend not to realise....

Original poster
catscurledupbythefire · 10/04/2017 16:53

Well, you might have a fair point there Blush Wink

OP posts:
TheKitchenWitch · 10/04/2017 18:27

I really don't think it's necessary to do any extra specific exercises. I do see that it can have benefits, but you really don't have to. But what you do have to do is adjust your intake accordingly - so if you are very sedantry, then you will need much less in the way of calories than someone who is on the move a lot.
And yes, I suppose it is the same as saying you don't have to eat vegetables - you don't. Plenty of people don't. You have to decide what's important to you, and what you want to achieve, and yes, what you like doing. There is no way on earth I would be spending even a minute of my free time in a gym. Not. Gonna. Happen.
I do, however, walk my dogs every day. I don't power walk, I don't jog, I don't do anything particularly strenuous, but I do walk them every day, and I enjoy it very much indeed. If I didn't have dogs, I would not walk that much. Likewise, i have a toddler, so lots of sitting around isn't an option at the moment. But these aren't exercise - these things imo fall under "normal life " - which would be different for everyone, but still, you look at how much you move, you eat/drink accordingly and there you go.

ADisappearingDreamOfYesterday · 10/04/2017 18:36

I realise I don't have to post either Grin

I'm only pointing out you started the thread and specifically said "any ideas?" but you have rejected everything people have suggested, for one reason as another. As this is exactly the same format as your overweight thread (where you had pretty much the same suggestions) it does lead me to wonder exactly why you are posting, and perhaps suggests you are wasting peoples' time (including your own! When you could be exercising Wink)

I think MNers, and most people generally tbh, are generous and kind and want to help. So even if you had specifically said you started the thread just wanted to whinge that exercise was shit and you hate it, they will possibly agree but probably still offer advice. Perhaps if you were a bit more open to taking stuff on board, it would actually be a better use of the time you have spent here? I don't mean that to be all finger wagging and pompous, it's just that you've had loads of good ideas and every single time you have a "yes but".

woodhill · 10/04/2017 18:37

I hate it too. I do a few quick exercises everyday at home. I may get the bike out.

Original poster
catscurledupbythefire · 10/04/2017 19:18

Well I don't want to fall out with anyone so I'll just politely point out the threads were clear from the start, if anyone was upset because I don't want to run or low carb then sorry but I said numerous times on the other thread how I wanted to lose weight and I've said numerous times here I am not a fan of exercise (which isn't the same as 'I will never move again'!)

OP posts:
Original poster
catscurledupbythefire · 10/04/2017 19:35

Actually, that did come over as rude and I really didn't mean it that way!

It's more moaning about something actually helps you do it. That maybe makes no sense but I did go to the gym today and it helped having this thread as a sort of 'yeah, it sucks, other people feel it sucks as well but it's got to be done.'

Hope that makes sense Flowers

OP posts:
TatianaLarina · 10/04/2017 19:39

I thought of you last night when I was on my treadmill watching Trapped. This is what you need. Grin

Original poster
catscurledupbythefire · 10/04/2017 19:41

Must have been a boring workout if you were thinking of me! Wink

OP posts:
TatianaLarina · 10/04/2017 19:51

Trapped is really good, I hardly noticed the walking.Gin

lljkk · 10/04/2017 20:12

Get a dog, methinks.
Or maybe you like animals & you could help look after them (volunteer for cinnamon trust & walk other people's dogs). Or spend time looking after animals.

I don't get this "walking is boring" thing. Do people saying that hate their own company? How can you not find things to think about while walking.

Watching TV is boring. Dreadful as fuck. Sitting on the train is boring (most people do nothing while commuting). Driving is boring AND scary. Walking is pretty good compared to all those.

BabychamSocialist · 10/04/2017 20:24

ShotgunNotDoingThePans

I'm talking about the people who post about their workouts all over social media, their "cheat days" and post endless memes and talking about the new latest fad exercise.

Honestly, they exist and I'm pretty sure everybody knows someone like this.

It's the same with the people who post endless memes about wine and what have you, they're usually compensating for something.

SoMuchToBits · 10/04/2017 20:54

I totally see your point of view, OP.

Most forms of exercise are completely boring to me. I don't mind walking, so long as there is either a purpose, or great scenery. But where I live, you have to spend time and money to get out of the town to any reasonable scenery.

I also hate getting hot and sweaty and out of breath. Swimming is the best thing (even though that's not interesting) because at least you don't feel the hot-and-sweatiness because of the water. But the faff! All that getting to the pool, getting changed, having a shower and getting changed again afterwards. That puts me off.

The only form of exercise I have ever really enjoyed was when I went Scottish country dancing. That was partly because I didn't view it as exercise per se (although it was), but also because my mind was totally occupied with learning the patterns in the dances. It was something that was interesting in itself, while having the side effect of giving me exercise. And you got music with it, and met other people.

That's the only form of exercise I have ever really enjoyed.

Original poster
catscurledupbythefire · 10/04/2017 20:55

I think the problem is, when there is exercise with a social element I start chatting to people! And then not exercising.

I do so want to walk somebody's dogs though :)

OP posts:
ShotgunNotDoingThePans · 10/04/2017 22:42

Ah, I see Babycham. Sorry for the lecture Blush.

elkegel · 11/04/2017 05:43

I think the problem is, when there is exercise with a social element I start chatting to people! And then not exercising.

That's not really a problem at my running group, we go for a good chat.Talking while exercising is very good for you.

TheKitchenWitch · 11/04/2017 07:05

lljkk

See i don't think those things are boring at all. I only watch stuff I'm interested in on tv, I read on the train, and I actively enjoy driving.
But I do see your point that there are lots of things we do that aren't interesting but we still do them. My point is that exercise doesn't have to be one of them.

Topuptheglass · 11/04/2017 07:31

I read this thread last night & as I woke early this morning I've been to the gym Grin

Up until last February I hated exercise bur joined a boot camp. At the end I joined the gym as a member.

I've been having some family stuff going on recently & had fallen behind with my gym going - reading this thread last night planted a seed in my head about going back - so thank you!