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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To struggle so much with exercise?

56 replies

salviapages · 29/08/2021 18:38

I absolutely hate exercising. There is nothing enjoyable about it. My partner is the same but I have friends who enjoy various activities. They've told me it's all about finding a sport/activity you enjoy but I've tried various things and I hate all activities that make me so hot and out of breath it's just uncomfortable.

I want to exercise to get more fit, I'm overweight in my mid twenties and I know the fitter I am now the more healthy I'll be when I'm older, easier running around after kids in future, I want to be fit for more reasons than just how I look. Do I just resign myself that I will never enjoy exercise and will just always have to force myself to do it?

OP posts:
Northernsoullover · 29/08/2021 18:43

What have you tried? I hated most types of exercise. Step, body conditioning, spin, the gym, I don't like team sports because I'm so crap at them. I didn't like zumba either. As a last resort I went to a body pump class and whilst I don't love it I have found watching my progression quite satisfying and I have managed to stick to it.

pastabest · 29/08/2021 18:47

Cardio exercise isn't all that great for weight loss. Diet is most important.

If you want strength and flexibility then doing weights or something like yoga / Pilates is ideal.

I've never broken a sweat doing yoga but I've physically ached in the days afterwards in the early days and as time has gone on I'm definitely more toned, flexible and fit.

Best thing is that you can do it at home in your pyjamas for free if you use e.g Adrienne on YouTube.

Original poster
salviapages · 29/08/2021 18:48

I hate classes with other people because I'm quite overweight and very uncoordinated so I feel very self conscious! I've tried running, cycling, youtube dance workouts, my partner and I have the ringfit game which is actually quite good but not the best workout, a friend and I used to play tennis but the logistics for that got really tricky.

OP posts:
cardibach · 29/08/2021 18:50

The unpleasantness of being out of breath does decrease over time. I’m very unfit and overweight but before I had a knee issue I did couch to 5k and after a bit you get used to it. Helps if you stop judging yourself for breathing heavily.

usethedata · 29/08/2021 18:52

I recommend finding a really inclusive weight lifting gym. So so much more fun than everything else you have described and one of the friendliest types of exercise I have come across. And being bigger isn't necessarily a disadvantage there as you may find you start out quite strong so it's not so demoralising.

PatchworkElmer · 29/08/2021 18:53

What about swimming? Great workout without the sweaty sensation

slashlover · 29/08/2021 18:53

I hate most exercise so I just put on some music I love and dance around the living room, especially if the song has an actual dance to go with it - (Steps, Macarena, Whigfield etc.)

Rocktheboat87 · 29/08/2021 18:54

Not a surprise to hear this. I used to like cycling, swimming is ok but very boring going up and down. There must be something you like. Perhaps it's not so much the task but that it is repetitive?

Even walking could be something. I downloaded a steps app on my phone which seems to push me to walk that little bit further even if it's the long way to the bathroom. Up and down the aisles in the supermarket etc. May be give it a try.

mynameiscalypso · 29/08/2021 18:54

I have found strength training (at home) to be great. You don't get out of breath but you can definitely feel it and it makes a massive difference to your body shape pretty quickly. I have a couple of apps (I like one called Give Me Strength) that have various 4 week programmes and I bought some cheap weights off Amazon.

ShinyMe · 29/08/2021 18:54

If you'd told me 6 months ago that I'd be enjoying doing weights in the gym, I'd have laughed in your face. Like you OP, I hate getting all sweaty and out of breath and red in the face. I don't like running or anything that makes my boobs hurt, don't like anything jumpy or bouncy. I'm crap with balls. But I reluctantly did some weights with a personal trainer and was surprised to not hate it. I did it a bit more and felt myself getting stronger, and saw some bits of me toning up. Then I got a bit stronger again, and now I'm really finding it quite enjoyable. You don't get massively sweaty, or you certainly don't have to, and you don't need to get massively out of breath (now I'm pushing myself more, I do a bit, but nowhere near what you'd get doing running or zumba or anything) but I've lost two stone and discovered that my arms aren't made of jelly.

sharksarecool · 29/08/2021 18:56

Can you not build exercise into your daily routine, e.g by walking or cycling to places you would normally drive to? I cycle quite a lot, but only ever as a mode of transport rather than simply for the exercise.

Mulletsaremisunderstood · 29/08/2021 19:04

Do I just resign myself that I will never enjoy exercise and will just always have to force myself to do it?
Possibly, but I think like many people if you stick with it for a while and start to see results, that can spur you on, not to enjoyment exactly, but grudging tolerance. I sometimes think of it as a necessarily evil, like brushing my teeth and taking out the bins. All part of the little daily self care jobs I do for my body and my life that help to keep me clean and feeling good.

I started doing weight training at home a few months ago, and while I don't love it, I don't hate it either. And I see the benefits of it and I do get a buzz out of feeling stronger, being able to accomplish more reps etc.
Some days I still have to talk myself into doing it, but I always feel better afterwards.

Although if your only goal is weight loss, maybe try sorting out your food first, as I have learned the hard way that exercise does not burn as many calories as you think. Even though I'm exercising regularly I'm struggling to lose weight the last few weeks because my diet has been up and down.

There are lots of lovely weight loss threads you can join here for support. I'm on one, and it's helping me stay accountable.

SunbathingDragon · 29/08/2021 19:09

I also hate exercising for the sake of it and all types of classes provided by gyms. However, I love quite energetic sports like horse riding, skiing, kickboxing etc and they keep me surprisingly fit without needing to feel I am exercising. Is there a sport you could enjoy that might be your exercise equivalent?

Siameasy · 29/08/2021 19:21

Because you are overweight it is going to hurt more.
I would try to lose the weight through diet which is much more effective and when you’ve lost a significant amount, revisit the exercise.

Bluntness100 · 29/08/2021 19:28

Op

The more you do it, the better your coordination
The more you do it, the fitter you get and the less out of breath you get.

I also second weights. If you don’t want to join a gym. Buy some off of Amazon and use an app like Chloe madeleys and do it at home.

I Personally like the York weights.

TheFutureIsUncertain · 29/08/2021 19:52

I really don't like it either, especially gym stuff. I just do walking and some running twice a week. I have to listen to podcasts on walk, and music on a run, that just about gets me through. I know if I didn't do it my weight would balloon. It's hard work for me :(

Original poster
salviapages · 29/08/2021 23:04

Interesting to get so many recommendations to try weight training! I will have a go at home

I walk a fair bit, I have a dog and I'm a primary teacher so on my feet and moving a lot but never at a fast pace so doesn't feel much like exercise. I think you're right in that the more I do it the less I will hate it it's just hard to get started!

OP posts:
Siameasy · 30/08/2021 08:09

Agree about weights. Cardio is not pleasant.

GreenestValley · 30/08/2021 08:17

You’ve got to learn to enjoy the hot and sweaty feeling. If you don’t get hot and sweaty it’s not really worth bothering with. For me the pay off isn’t so much during (it’s effort, uncomfortable etc) but after - when you step out of the shower and feel really refreshed, or when you really enjoy lunch or going to the pub because you feel like you’ve earnt it. It’s a delayed gratification kinda thing.

GreenestValley · 30/08/2021 08:18

I’d recommend just making yourself go to 2-3 exercise classes a week. (Classes are good as you don’t have to self motivate as much). Then after 2-3 weeks of that I guarantee you’ll have got into the groove and depend on the feeling to feel fresh and boost your mood.

Girlintheframe · 30/08/2021 08:19

I take my headphone, stick a pod cast on and walk with my dog. Usually do about 5/6 miles a day. It's the only thing I enjoy. Would love to love the gym, classes etc but don't.
Walking for me has the added benefit of really lifting my mh.

Gumboots29 · 30/08/2021 08:22

I always get a bit frustrated when people tell you to find a sport you enjoy. This is because when you first start any activity you might not enjoy it. It’s hard to go from no exercise to being out fo breath, sweating, tired etc. Also as someone said up thread, it’s a necessary evil to some extent.

But eventually you will enjoy it. Not always the activity (currently tying to persuade myself out of bed for a run) but the feeling you get afterwards and the improvement in fitness is enjoyable.

I feel like you have to push on through the getting started but for a few months and you’ll start to enjoy it. Also, be prepared for lulls in enthusiasm/motivation. It happens and it can take a lot of effort to keep going. But ultimately you’ll see the benefits and it will keep you going.

Have to put my money where my mouth is and get up…..

ShinyMe · 30/08/2021 08:22

@GreenestValley

You’ve got to learn to enjoy the hot and sweaty feeling. If you don’t get hot and sweaty it’s not really worth bothering with. For me the pay off isn’t so much during (it’s effort, uncomfortable etc) but after - when you step out of the shower and feel really refreshed, or when you really enjoy lunch or going to the pub because you feel like you’ve earnt it. It’s a delayed gratification kinda thing.
I don't think that's true! Exercise doesn't have to be that hot sweaty thing to be helpful.
GreenestValley · 30/08/2021 08:26

@ShinyMe

I disagree - I think it does really. Obviously being active rather than sedentary is good, but getting your 10k steps a day isn’t proper exercise. That’s just mobility - kind of the bare minimum, and definitely unlikely to help you lose any weight unless you’re very obese.

MMMarmite · 30/08/2021 08:30

I think they are right. It's hard to stick to exercise that you don't enjoy! Personally I love sports where you're exploring the outdoors - wild swimming, kayaking, sailing, bike rides, interesting hikes. Obviously kayaking and sailing are harder to get into, but if you google you may find a club near you that can lend equipment and offer training to beginners.

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