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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
lazylinguist · 30/08/2021 16:39

The thing about exercise is that you might not enjoy it while you're doing it, but you will enjoy what it does for you, both physically and mentally. And it gets less uncomfortable.

I was overweight, very unfit and had worryingly high bp. Very reluctantly took up running. Loathed it at first, could hardly run to the end of the road. I was beetroot-faced, sweaty-haired and coughed for ages afterwards. Ended up getting really into it and running half-marathon distances, which I would never have believed possible! I felt strong, fit and mentally great.
I don't run much now, as my knees don't like it if I overdo it. I do Parkrun once a week, and the rest of the time I do a 40 min fast, hilly dog walk - enough to get me a bit sweaty. Then 15-20 mins weights or yoga (I alternate days) when I get back. That's my routine now. Sometimes I don't feel like it, but I do it anyway and always feel glad I did!

It's all very well suggesting more adventurous/unusual activities, but unless they fit fairly easily and conveniently into your routine they aren't going to happen often enough to make you fitter.

Bluntness100 · 30/08/2021 17:17

Exercising for the sake of exercise is utterly joyless

But it’s not exercise cor the sake of exercise. It’s exercise for the health benefits, for the vanity benefits, for the weight loss, for the many reasons she wants to do it.

Very few people regularly exercise because they just love it. That’s mora a sport thing, Most of us do exercise because we want to be fit, healthy, control our weight, and look better. So it’s exercise for those goals.

I exercise five to six times a week. I do enjoy it often, other times I would really rather not, but drag my arse in there anyway,,,and I can categorically say that if I wasn’t getting the benefits I listed then would I fuck do it. That would be exercise for the sake of exercise.

Nearly Every single person dragging their arse to the gym isn’t doing it becayse they are passionate about running on a treadmill, or sweating on the vertical climber, or lifting weights,,, they are doing it becayse they want to be strong, fit, healthy, toned, and the only way to achieve those results is in fact to do the exercise. It’s a means to an end.

ScaredOfDinosaurs · 30/08/2021 17:22

I'd suggest spending a few quid on a personal trainer for a few sessions. It's expensive but you can work with them to understand exercises that work for you. Mine is an absolute legend, I've gained so much from working with him.

I did it and never looked back.

Moonface123 · 30/08/2021 17:27

It is easier if you don't see it as a chore.
I put some music on and have a dance, and l also have a rowing machine that l can work out on, in the privacy of my own home, overlooking my lovely garden, with headphones on. I also alternate between cycling and walking short distance to work and back.
There are lots of pilates and yoga workouts on youtube, you can just practice a handful of moves and improve on them rather than trying to keep up and go through whole routine. Just think to yourself your future self will thank you, good excuse for some new clothes.

Aubree17 · 30/08/2021 18:40

Get a fit bit which will help you set goals and measure your progress.

I hate exercise, but love how it makes me feel and look. That makes me do it.

BlackIsQueen · 30/08/2021 18:47

I feel exactly the same but do it anyway and have done for years. Some suggestions for YouTube
Caroline Girvan weights
Lottie Murphy pilates
Blogilates pilates
Cindy Crawford next challenge 60 mins of exercise Inc a boss 30 min weight section - undefeated as the best exercise dvd.
If you can, trial a few PT sessions as gyms near you - the right one will change your life

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