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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:
Graphista · 26/12/2020 23:08

You need to find something you genuinely enjoy.

I'm not really a "sporty" person, but in ordinary times (not just covid I have other health issues) I enjoy swimming, walking, yoga, low impact dancing, I even do seated dancing at the moment to keep some fitness level up.

I go to water aerobics when I can too I got "special dispensation" to attend the pensioners class as I can't keep up with the one my age now - no sweating lots of fun

So what do you all do to make it a bit more bearable?

Mainly music! Find/create your perfect playlist. Stuff that's upbeat and lyrically inspirational - Maybe we can create one here?

Exercising with friends - I've gone on many walks where the main goal may have been exercise but that faded into the background with having good company

Time40 · 26/12/2020 23:17

I hate it too, and I do it because I think it's a necessity for good health - as necessary as eating or washing - and because I feel bloody awful if I don't. It's knowing how rotten I'll feel if I don't do it that keeps me going.

The one thing I do like is swimming, and when the open-air lido is open in summer, I just go there every day rather than doing anything else.

Have you tried doing a fast walk, OP? Get your trainers on and walk briskly, but not so fast that you get all sweaty? That's quite a good thing to do if you can't face the really horrible proper exercise sort of exercise.

I do think it's very motivating if you can see that you're getting better at some activity. I'm doing press-ups and planks for the first time in my life, and I'm finding my improvement is motivating.

Original poster
Baileysoncereal · 26/12/2020 23:18

@Frazzledme yes exactly! But I have always been incredibly busy and the one or two hours I had a day I definitely didn’t want to use exercising.
However now I’m not working and I still don’t want to do it, I’ve lost my excuse really.

@wizzywig are there any online ones you may recommend? I don’t want to go to a gym really at the moment. I’ve tried one or two and to be honest I didn’t hate them all, I just didn’t enjoy them either - I think this may be one of my better options to try!

OP posts:
Twobrews · 26/12/2020 23:22

I wish exercise made me feel good but I don't get the endorphin rush others seem to, it makes me knackered and uncomfortable.
I walk a lot both through necessity and because DH and the kids love it but it has no impact on my fitness levels whatsoever.
I don't mind yoga and Pilates but there's no decent classes here and I'm not motivated enough to do it regularly at home.
Same with weights, no places close enough to walk to and I don't have a home gym!
Squash is ok, I like the fact I can't think about anything else when I'm playing but I always end up injuring myself Hmm plus it's absolutely exhausting.
I really want to love running because it's free and I can do it anytime but I just don't love it, I've done C25K so many times and have never kept it up. It's just so tiring and I hate the legs like lead feeling you get for days afterwards which make it harder and harder to want to go again.

hamstersarse · 26/12/2020 23:22

I identify with your question!

I do a lot of exercise but I’d say 75% of the time, at the point of putting on the kit, I could flake at any small thing that might give me an ‘out’ e.g. it’s raining, it’s cold, I’ve washed my hair etc etc.

I know now that I feel great after I’ve done it. Every single time. That’s not to say that the actual exercise is joyful, actually it’s usually pretty tough. The run I did today on a giant hangover was pretty horrific, every step felt laborious, every kilometre felt like 10, but once I’m back home and I’ve got that glow and sense of achievement that I didn’t give up even though it hurt and was unpleasant, that’s when I felt like I’d won at life today

hamstersarse · 26/12/2020 23:25

David Goggins is pretty motivating on this stuff

“If it hurts.Good”

Twobrews · 26/12/2020 23:26

...but once I’m back home and I’ve got that glow and sense of achievement that I didn’t give up even though it hurt and was unpleasant, that’s when I felt like I’d won at life today
So jealous of this, it must be fantastic. I've actually cried after running before because I feel so awful for the rest of the day.

Twobrews · 26/12/2020 23:27

"If it hurts.Good”
I find that PE teacher attitude incredibly demotivating.

hamstersarse · 26/12/2020 23:30

@Twobrews

"If it hurts.Good” I find that PE teacher attitude incredibly demotivating.
There were a lot of bad PE teachers back in the day.

I think if you listened to David Goggins you’d see he’s not a dictator type, far from it

hamstersarse · 26/12/2020 23:32

@Twobrews

...but once I’m back home and I’ve got that glow and sense of achievement that I didn’t give up even though it hurt and was unpleasant, that’s when I felt like I’d won at life today So jealous of this, it must be fantastic. I've actually cried after running before because I feel so awful for the rest of the day.
I do think people don’t hydrate properly after a run, and I don’t mean drinking straight water. You probably need to replenish electrolytes - that’s usually what causes severe fatigue after a run
DuesToTheDirt · 26/12/2020 23:34

Same with weights, no places close enough to walk to and I don't have a home gym!

You don't need a home gym, just a few hand weights (ours live under the coffee table), find a workout on YouTube and off you go.

wolfmom · 26/12/2020 23:36

Before M.E I was very active, now I can't. Would love to go for a jog, workout in the gym

Twobrews · 26/12/2020 23:44

You probably need to replenish electrolytes - that’s usually what causes severe fatigue after a run
How would I do that? Sorry if it's a daft question!

hamstersarse · 26/12/2020 23:47

@Twobrews

Buy some of these and take one before / after

You sweat. The salts need replacing

You can use the tablets you put in water but the salt levels are very low compared to these beauties

—they also help with hangovers—

Electrolytes Plus Tablets -Pack of 180 [[https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00L7WXKWU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_WS85FbHZ1QPH?tag=mumsnetforu03-212]]

TwnklTwnklLittleStarfighter · 27/12/2020 00:29

Gamification! Try Zombies Run 5k training.

bumblingbovine49 · 27/12/2020 00:52

@Chersfrozenface

There is no exercise I enjoy. Any exercise is a chore.

There is no endorphin rush, I have never experienced any such thing.

When I used to jog (running, is too strong a word for it), I used to do it in a foul mood and swear vilely at anyone or their dog who got in my fucking way.

Exercise most definitely sucks.

Grin This is so true

All this talk about it getting easier is just not my experience. . I started regular ( 4-5 times a week) online classes in March. Kept at it until October ,so 8 months. Actually enjoyed it more in the first couple of months. Then. It just got harder and harder to do. Yes I felt stronger and fitter ( though never ever had any post exercise endorphin rush) and kept telling myself it was worth it but somehow each morning as I started the exercise, all I could think was even when I was done that morning if have to do it all over again the next day and it stated to be depressing Eventually after 8 months I just couldn't bring myself to do it again and I stopped

I used to not mind swimming but have developed eczema in my late 40s which flares up in chlorinated water so I can't do that any more.

Binkybix · 27/12/2020 07:02

I am quite stop start when it comes to exercise but wish I’d started sooner in life. Was a sporty child, then nothing for many years. It clears my head and helps me manage mood. I run but have started mixing with yoga and HIIT online as was getting sore knees. Recently moved somewhere very hot and muggy and thought I’d never be able to run in it, but I’ve managed and am really pleased. Now everyone is sweaty and I don’t worry even when I am literally dripping with sweat.

Frenchdressing · 27/12/2020 07:10

Interesting thread. I like exercise AFTER I’ve done it. I feel virtuous and happy. Getting ready to go to the gym is hard work but I drag myself there. I need to exercise for fitness, well-being and bone strength,

Interestingly, having exercised all my adult life (various things at different times: weights, Pilates, aerobics, running etc) I have found getting a dog and doing 2, 30 minutes walks every single day (!) has improved my fitness massively. Walking is underrated!

speakout · 27/12/2020 07:37

You don;t even need hand weights to improve strength try having a look att some of the power/vinyasa yoga wor outs.

Isitreally77 · 27/12/2020 08:06

I've turned into a right gym bunny this year. I do boxing, spin and yoga classes and have a programme written up for my gym sessions. I hated exercise but I love it now , I usually go 6 or 7 days a week, and I'm really missing it now I'm stuck in tier 4. I hate running though as I'm not built for it (I have big boobs). The confidence that it has given me, getting a better figure and getting my waist back after years of neglect has been amazing. I only wish I discovered it earlier.

annevonkleve · 27/12/2020 08:19

Some people prefer exercising alone, but I definitely prefer running or walking with friends - especially if you run at a pace which means you can chat as you go.

I also have a turbotrainer for my bike in the garage and use Zwift which means I can do virtual rides with people from all over the world when the weather is horrible or I just fancy a bike ride.

I also agree that walking is underrated (as long as you walk at a brisk pace) - I did my 5k running personal best time when I was doing lots of walking as I commuted into London most days and had about 20 minutes to walk at both ends, in both directions. Doing that 3 times a week had a big impact.

Make it sociable and it is a lot more interesting!

BonnieDundee · 27/12/2020 08:25

Exercise doesn't have to mean being out of breath and sweaty. I enjoy (gentle) cycling and a nice walk.

BonnieDundee · 27/12/2020 08:30

"If ithurts.Good”

^I find that PE teacher attitude incredibly demotivating.^

Me too. That takes me right back to PE at high school which is probably where my loathing of sport was nurtured

Cowgran · 27/12/2020 08:33

You've just got to find what you enjoy or don't mind doing which doesn't necessarily have to be a sport as such. Maybe it's a dance class, maybe adult ballet, pole dancing, gymnastics, walking rather than driving to the shops or parking further from your location etc. Maybe it's indoor rock climbing or simply kicking a ball with your kids. As adults most of us just don't move our bodies enough and apparently it's actually better to just increase overall movement than be mosy sedentary with occasional bursts of hard exercise.

MrsKramer · 27/12/2020 08:57

"What seems clear is that almost no one actually enjoys the exercise, at least at first, and some people never do."

Total rubbish. If you look at little kids they ALL enjoy racing around. That's exercise at its most pure & simple, and it's a basic human pleasure. I for one still enjoy racing around with them just as much as "proper" exercise/sportGrin