Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not understand how anyone enjoys exercise??

274 replies

Baileysoncereal · 26/12/2020 17:40

How do you motivate yourself to exercise when it’s horrible being out of breath and sweaty

I’m not moving around at work anymore (covid related furlough/unemployment) and after a few months, I’m really noticing a difference in how unfit I am and how easily I’m out of breath. I’ve tried a ton of sports, and there’s nothing I enjoy and I can never be bothered putting in the effort anyway
Eg. Why run if you can jog, why jog if you can walk.

I hate being sweaty, I hate being out of breath, I hate not being good at something and I love sitting on the couch and watching TV.
So how do you motivate yourself or even shock actually love exercising?!

OP posts:
GreyishDays · 26/12/2020 17:43

I try and do something quick and vaguely interesting. That isn’t actually uncomfortable (no jumping as it feels to jarring), but other than that it’s a necessity rather than enjoyment. It’s about mental health and fitness for me rather than enjoying it.

wellthatsunusual · 26/12/2020 17:43

I love it but I was well into my 30s before I discussed that I did. The very upsetting experiences of school PE really scared me off.

Running isn't compulsory. Walking is good exercise too.

The thing about a lot of exercise is that you don't necessarily enjoy it right there in the moment. But the buzz that you get immediately afterwards keeps you coming back for more.

HermioneWeasley · 26/12/2020 17:43

I hate the feeling of being breathless and generally hate exercise. I do it because I have to. The closest I come to enjoying exercise is body pump because it feels like a good work out without being all out of breath, but it counts as cardio as well as strength because it raises your heart rate. You can also see yourself improving really quickly which is quite motivating.

wellthatsunusual · 26/12/2020 17:43

Discovered that I did

firstimemamma · 26/12/2020 17:46

I hated PE at school but now I go running twice a week for half an hour each time and I really love it. I love the way it makes me feel afterwards, as well as the child-free element to it! Makes me healthier and happier.

Iamthewombat · 26/12/2020 17:46

You can take a shower afterwards you know! The sweatiness is temporary.

You won’t be out of breath for very long either.

Being fit and healthy is a great feeling. Give it two weeks and you will notice a difference. Also, it is easier to start an exercise habit in company than alone.

NataliaOsipova · 26/12/2020 17:46

One gym advertisement once said that motivation gets you going and habit keeps you going. I definitely keep at it as a good habit, rather than it being something I enjoy - a bit like flossing my teeth! And I do enjoy feeling positive about it afterwards and just generally feeling a bit more fit (being able to run for a bus or up a flight of stairs without being breathless, that sort of thing). But I agree - it’s not hugely fun in and of itself.

fruitpastille · 26/12/2020 17:46

Just do it at the start of the day then have a shower and feel glad it's done. It gets easier. I do pre booked online gym classes as it's rude and a waste of money if I don't turn up.

StiltonVanDeKamp · 26/12/2020 17:47

This is why I prefer swimming. No feeling of getting too hot and sweaty.

Thingsdogetbetter · 26/12/2020 17:47

Another vote for body pump - no getting out of breath, and no jumping up and down. Got me into weight training as well. Did wonders until this lockdown round and now I'm kicking myself I've gone all wobbly again.

Imapotato · 26/12/2020 17:47

I hear you. Exercise is bad for you!! 😂

I do go to adult ballet once per week and love a long dog walk, but that’s really it. I wouldn’t class myself as unfit and I’m not overweight, but I have lots of colleagues that run 10k for fun and that’s definitely not me!

Terracottasaur · 26/12/2020 17:47

I never really enjoy exercise but I enjoy how I feel after exercise so I tell myself it’s worth it for the feeling after.

delilahbucket · 26/12/2020 17:47

I like running and walking. I go to new places as I like things to look at while I'm out and I notice things I haven't seen before all the time. I also like the feeling post-run with runners high. It makes me feel like I've really achieved something. I'm not bothered about getting hot and sweaty, that's why showers exist. I also like being able to run up and down stairs without batting an eyelid and it means I can largely eat what I want without piling weight on.

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 26/12/2020 17:47

I don't really enjoy it, and I'm dreading having to go back to it after a terrible pregnancy where even walking has me in agony so I'm extremely unfit. I tend to only go jogging. I much prefer being alone putting head phones in and trying to to think about how out of breath or sweaty I am. I HATE classes.

SkeletonSkins · 26/12/2020 17:48

I absolutely hate being out of breath so I walk an hour a day and swim three times a week. I don’t power swim but I don’t crawl along either, and I swim for about 45 mins each time.

I have a hobby once per week which means I get out of breath/sprint about a bit but I don’t notice because it’s fun. Maybe try something like a team game or something?

midgebabe · 26/12/2020 17:48

Motivation .. it's half an hour and I will feel better as a result
... chocolate also helps

Ideally find something you enjoy that has exercise as a byproduct I love walking and pre covid climbing

Cam2020 · 26/12/2020 17:48

The motivation to do it is the worst part, once out it's brilliant. Weather doesn't usually bother me, I focus on how good I'll feel afterwards.

I love running (but can't due to injury). It's a brilliant stress buster for me and I love feeling mentally and physically stronger and healthier.

Why run if you can jog, why jog if you can walk.

I do enjoy walking too and have to now I can't run any more. It doesn't clear my head in the same way for me though. I love the feeling of effort and everything working together: limbs, heart, lungs, mind. We all have our thing that makes us feel good - that's mine, except I can't do it any more.

formerbabe · 26/12/2020 17:49

Yep I hate exercise....some types of exercise I hate less than others but I'd always rather be sitting down relaxing

Chocolatecake29 · 26/12/2020 17:49

I don't do any 'formal' exercise, such as running or the gym. However, I do enjoy going for walks, yoga and a dance class. The class has stopped currently because if covid and yoga is more for my mental health but I love it.

The thought of running in a treadmill then doing weights at the gym bores me to tears but I could quite happily go for a walk for miles, especially in the country side.

tigerbear · 26/12/2020 17:50

How about swimming?
I’ve NEVER been a swimmer, and only took it up a few months ago, but am now hooked.
I go to a lido, so it’s anything but hot and sweaty at this time of year!
I bought a full length swimsuit and wear that under a long coat on my walk there, then just Chuck off my coat once there, and get straight in. There’s something very exhilarating about it, I promise!

Carrotcakey · 26/12/2020 17:50

You can’t have tried everything. I strongly believe there is something for everyone.

I’ve always exercised but mainly out of a sense of duty to my physical and mental health, when you feel healthy you will find it easier to get motivated.

I tried so many different types over the years, usually defaulting back to running as it was so simple to do. I didn’t love it though. I only found ‘my exercise’ in my thirties as I kept trying different things. It became much more enjoyable then.

Aroaringfire · 26/12/2020 17:50

I enjoy strength training more. It gets your heart rate up but doesn't (have) to make you as out of breath as something like running. I like it because instead of thinking how tired I am, I find the goal (reps, weight etc) addictive. Outside of lockdown, it's sociable so going to my classes feels like going to meet up with friends, rather than exercise (I don't think about the workout until I get there)
I do enjoy some cardio though only for short, targeted bursts. The feeling afterwards is amazing.

Exercising at home I find really demotivating, it just feels out of place as soon as I start to push myself.

When I'm sat on the sofa I never 'feel' like exercising, but I make myself go and do it. Doing the exercise then motivates me to want to do more. The more I do the more energetic I feel and the more I want to go and do!

zzizz · 26/12/2020 17:51

Rebounding was a weirdly amazing discovery for me. Before that I couldn't understand why anyone would want to do any exercise.

I now find it so much fun that I don't mind working out and I am used to getting out of breath and can do much more then I used to - whereas I used to be like you. I hurt my ankle walking the other day and can't do anything at the moment. I genuinely miss it.

So its about finding something fun for you.

PennineSpring · 26/12/2020 17:52

I only found exercise in my 30s and I couldn’t live without it now. I found that at the beginning it is hard to see the benefits - it’s just hard work, breathlessness and sweat. Once you gain a modicum of fitness and it becomes a regular activity, when you stop you feel awful. And on reflection, the feeling of awfulness isn’t exactly how I feel pre-exercise, I just put it down to other things (tiredness, work, kids etc).

Buzztothemoon · 26/12/2020 17:53

You persevere a bit. If you’re working out regularly then you won’t get out of breath. Once you get into the rhythm of doing it you find you set a pace you can maintain and regulate you’re breathing into a settled pattern.