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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not get why people refuse to exercise?

544 replies

JumpingJacky · 30/04/2021 16:21

Exercise near enough saved my life, literally, and I am evangelical about it but still people make so many excuses as to why they can’t do just a small amount, and don’t realise that they are suffering for it!

I have a relative who suffers from back pain. He spends a large majority of his day sitting. I have suggested various low impact exercises that I know through experience will help but he won’t do them while continuing whingeing and moaning about being in pain!

A friend who is overweight complains that she has pain in her knees and ankles and is finding walking hard which is stopping her doing stuff. I know weight loss is hard so I suggest she joins the gym (she can afford it and has time) to use the low impact machines to at least build some strength into her legs and get a bit fitter but she’s just not interested whilst continuing to whinge and moan!

I get it that exercise is hard and can make you uncomfortable and sweaty but for the benefits to your body that’s a small price to pay surely?

OP posts:
Rno3gfr · 30/04/2021 21:18

Time and energy. I could make more time but after working, making dinner, getting the toddler to bed, cleaning the house, I’m shattered. I actually quite enjoy running and used to run a lot. I’m in my early 20s but I just find life so bloody tiring!

3scape · 30/04/2021 21:20

The reason I would never attend a gym is because of the sneering attitude of gym goers. Who feel it's absolutely fine to be tell I g other people how and when they should do things and how much time it takes. Posts like this just push people further away.

PurpleDaisies · 30/04/2021 21:23

@3scape

The reason I would never attend a gym is because of the sneering attitude of gym goers. Who feel it's absolutely fine to be tell I g other people how and when they should do things and how much time it takes. Posts like this just push people further away.
I regularly went to the gym pre pandemic anc I absolutely do not recognise your description of what it’s like in one. Plenty of us on the thread telling the op she’s out of order are gym regulars. Don’t let the op put you off.
Talkwhilstyouwalk · 30/04/2021 21:23

I think some people just can't be arsed to be honest. Not everyone enjoys it.

Grapewrath · 30/04/2021 21:23

So when you were massively overweight? Why did you get that big? Why didn’t you stop eating? Surely it was worth the effort, if a bit uncomfortable. I’m sure lots of people advised you. It would have been so much better if you’d made a bit of effort and list weight before you hit 18st surely
Christ.

Talkwhilstyouwalk · 30/04/2021 21:25

Also, some people find gyms to be unhygienic and over priced. I don't do anything that massively raises my heart rate but I do go for lots of walks, eat well and am not fat so that's enough for me!

Daphnise · 30/04/2021 21:26

As a person who does do some exercise, I'd have to say your attitude and advice would force me to tell you to mind your own business and bugger off.

ToffeePennie · 30/04/2021 21:26

I am fat.
I do not exercise. I do not enjoy it. I have always been mocked for the way I run/cycle/exercise generally, since I was a small child doing PE at school.
Since the day my so called friends did a school leavers play that openly mocked and ridiculed me for the way I run, (not mentioning the fact that the substitute teacher had forced me to leave my glasses in the classroom, so I was essentially blind) in front of the whole school, teachers and parents, I have HATED exercise.
It’s a “me” problem, so why are you making it a you thing?

Thatisnotwhatisaid · 30/04/2021 21:26

I mean, I walk quite a lot and I always have back pain so I don’t think it’s a cure all...

It isn’t difficult to understand why people dislike exercise. It often isn’t an easy thing to do and humans naturally like things to be easy, we’re lazy creatures.

Babysharkdoodoodood · 30/04/2021 21:29

I'm fat as fuck. But I'm on my feet all day at work and in basically too fucked to even think about exercise.

sergeilavrov · 30/04/2021 21:36

@JumpingJacky Oh dear. When you said "a fact such as exercising improves physical and mental health and relieves pain if you do the right ones" fits directly into the damaging narrative that exercise is the solution to mental health concerns; and that those who do suffer from mental health concerns should just exercise and see what happens.

Great job ignoring the context of the eating disorder by the way. Ironically, you don't really have a toned, muscular leg to stand on when it comes to selective ignorance.

Tossblanket · 30/04/2021 21:38

I find people that get evangelical about anything irritating as fuck.

If people want to run 50 miles in one go, good.

If people want to sit around eating cake all day, good.

Who cares what other people do.

FaceyRomford · 30/04/2021 21:42

Exercise is boring. It takes up time I can use for far more enjoyable activities.

NeverDropYourMoonCup · 30/04/2021 21:52

@GammyLeg

YANBU

The average Brit walks about 3500 steps a day. A huge number of conditions can be improved with even a small amount of exercise. It’s scary how sedentary people are.

That has to be a dodgy statistic where they can't actually quote the methodology behind the number. There is no way that I'm anything like above average, but I do more than that by 11.30am. That would mean people pretty much driving to their desks and not leaving them once all day, not even for toilet breaks or a coffee.
Meadowland · 30/04/2021 22:02

OP, I think you're getting some pretty unfair responses. Well done for turning your life round. I am not a big fan of of exercise but realise that doing it makes me feel so much better.
@Tossblanket I think our overstretched NHS cares if people choose to sit around and eat cake all day.

OrangeRug · 30/04/2021 22:02

Oh dear the exercise phobes are getting all offended. I saw a PP mentioning type one diabetes, I have had type one for 22 years (I too have eye damage) and I do strength and cardio regularly and I didn't hide away in the house because of covid either. We are not even considered CEV as far as I'm aware? Although it is true it can be a PITA to manage blood sugars when doing cardio but not impossible. I think the pros of exercising when you have T1 far outweigh the cons.

Olidocky · 30/04/2021 22:03

@romdowa

Exercise sucks , I'm not allowed in most gyms or pools due to insurance because exercise makes me faint and I have balance issues , I also have chronic fatigue syndrome so if I over do it then I am wrecked for days and days. So are these good enough reasons not to exercise?to not love it? If you were my friend or relative I'd tell you exactly where to stick your "advice"
Have you ever been investigated for POTS? Just a thought but it might be worth exploring with the symptoms you've suggested.
PurpleDaisies · 30/04/2021 22:05

Oh dear the exercise phobes are getting all offended

Plenty of us who have taken issue with the op do regular exercise.

Olidocky · 30/04/2021 22:05

@midgedude

I get you op

It's beyond annoying listening to people winge on about stuff they could change

They would rather waste your time and energy listening and making sympathetic Noises than use thier time to fix the problem . It's rude.

I struggle to understand this viewpoint. Surely if you're someone's friend then listening to them shouldn't be such a chore and a waste of time? Do you not try to be kind and supportive to your friends?
Grapewrath · 30/04/2021 22:12

It’s not about being an exercise phobe- I am very fit and active but I also appreciate that people may have anxieties, fears and health conditions that prevent them engaging in exercise or sport. In the same way some people who are overweight can’t just eat less and move more.
It’s about having empathy and compassion tbh

toocold54 · 30/04/2021 22:16

The average Brit walks about 3500 steps a day. A huge number of conditions can be improved with even a small amount of exercise. It’s scary how sedentary people are.

I agree.
I wonder if this is partly employers fault though?
It’s not natural to sit at a computer for 8 hours a day and then to get there you sit in a car/bus for an hour each way too so sitting for 10+ hours has got to be doing so much damage.

IfYoureCrappyAndYouKnowIt · 30/04/2021 22:24

@NeverDropYourMoonCup

3500-4000 is what I do on an average office day.

CatRamsey · 30/04/2021 22:25

I'm morbidly obese and clinically depressed and I know that exercise will help me, but at the moment it's a good day if I can actually get out of bed in the morning, let alone exercise. You have no idea OP.

dotdashdashdash · 30/04/2021 22:26

I only know as I do 40 lengths as a cool down after my 2 hour gym session which I cycle there and back to

Where the hell do you get 3+ hours a day to exercise? Do you not work? Do you not have kids? And don't say you just get up early. I'm up at 5.30am. I am either working or looking after children up gone 9pm. For me to spend 3 hours exercising I'd have to only sleep for 4 hours per night, which is definitely not enough for anyone to be healthy.

motherloaded · 30/04/2021 22:29

Most people seem to find time to be on social media and watch tv, but not time to exercise. It's whatever you make a priority.