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Original poster

Please help me get motivated to start exercising!

27 replies

Rainydays55 · 15/10/2021 15:50

I haven’t done proper exercise for months, always manage to find an excuse to put it off, after a day of work / commute I just feel like I want to crash on the sofa!
Anyone got any tips of how to re start exercising?! How do you get motivated?!

OP posts:
AllesAusLiebe · 15/10/2021 15:53

No advice, op, I'm just here to offer some solidarity!

I could've written your post.

What's your working day like? Are you out of the house all week or partial wfh?

CanIPleaseHaveOne · 15/10/2021 16:04

Get an exercise partner.

Four months ago I was you. I asked a neighbour - we were not friends but would chat a little when we saw each other. I was SO unfit, she felt the same so we decided to simply give it a go.

Time was an issue so we decided to run early before anyone was up - 6.30am. We started the Couch to 5K program.

I felt a responsibility to her and vice versa. We did our 5 k a few weeks ago and have continued on. I could not have done it and would not continue to do it without my neighbour.

I have a new friend, time carved out for me, and great delight that I have taken this on!

Undisclosedlocation · 15/10/2021 16:08

Honestly the truth is that you will never ‘feel’ like starting. You just have to do it anyway
Once you get started and feel better, the motivation will follow

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 15/10/2021 16:35

Have a plan and timetable it into your day.

PurpleDaisies · 15/10/2021 16:38

Just do something! Walk, online class, whatever.

something2say · 15/10/2021 16:40

Loud music.

doadeer · 15/10/2021 16:41

Timetable/book a class and make it non negotiable so it just becomes part of your week.

actiongirl1978 · 15/10/2021 16:42

Get up at 5am, knock out a 30 min hiit, into the shower, you can be ready and have breakfast before your day starts.

That's how I do it. I hate exercising with other people, exercise is MY time and I like it dark and peaceful.

Still1nLove · 15/10/2021 16:42

Timetable it into your day and just do it, even if you don’t feel like it

CyclingUpHill · 15/10/2021 16:43

It's really hard!! It is not something that I enjoy, but what I do is:

  • Walk a 5K loop where I live listening to an audio book (I invested in good in-ear sports earphones) 3 times per week

  • Go for an 8K run every Sunday morning, listening to Spotify

I really struggle to do this and the music/book helps. That's been the big difference for me.

FourEyesGood · 15/10/2021 16:44

Go before work! Three times a week, I get up at 5am (my usual get-up time is 6am) to go for a run. This would have appalled 20-something me, but 40-something me is OK about it. Also, it feels great to get to the end of my working day knowing I’ve already met my step goal and had a decent exercise session. My stamina has increased over the past few months and I’m now fitter than I’ve been since my teens (still fat, though - another reason I like to go so early. I see so few people!).

SillyLittleBiscuit · 15/10/2021 16:45

Honestly, waiting for or seeking motivation is pretty pointless (I know from years of experience). You just have to get it done. Like cleaning your teeth. Schedule it in and crack on.

Youdoyoutoday · 15/10/2021 16:46

I've just joined a bootcamp hiit group which meets at 6.30am! And I've paid upfront for it so I now have to do it!!
I never in a million years thought I'd become the person getting up at 6am to exercise but yet here I am, slightly achey and a bit tired but loving it as I'm doing it for me. I want to change so I'm the only person who can do that!!

Good luck OP, you can do it 💪

Dentistlakes · 15/10/2021 16:47

It’s hard to make exercise a habit but I find it helps to remember how great I feel afterwards. A friend once told me to find my ‘why’. For me it was maintaining weight loss and how good it makes me feel. If I don’t exercise for a couple of days I feel terrible; really crap and sluggish. I also exercise first thing and just get up and straight out for a run. Then it’s done and dusted before breakfast. I do often do some other exercise later in the day too, but the pressure is off. That’s what works for me.

devildeepbluesea · 15/10/2021 16:49

I love it, so it's never a problem for me, but the key thing is to find something you enjoy. And vary things. I do a combat style class (both as a teacher and a participant), the occasional HIIT session, lots and lots of walking, heavy weights and bodypump when I can't get to the gym. I've also just restarted Zumba, which is great fun. Check out Zumba Dance - you can pay for online classes, and you can just search by the time you want.
If you don't like something, just try something else.

TheBitchOfTheVicar · 15/10/2021 16:56

Get dressed into workout clothes

TwoShoess · 15/10/2021 17:44

Ah OP I totally get how you feel. I could’ve written this exact same post. What’s working for me at the moment is scheduling it in and basically just doing it (as PP have said).

I’ve done barely anything over lockdown (so the last 18 months Blush), and I’ve just started going for regular walks each day over the last few weeks. I tend to go in the morning before work and at lunchtime, and maybe will go to the gym after work.

I’ve found it most helpful to go out a couple of times a day at a time that works for me and walk 1-2 miles, then it all builds up :) cheesy - and not a quick fix - but true!

Also helps that my workplace is doing a walkathon, and I’ve discovered I’m actually quite competitive and quite enjoy doing as many daily steps as I can :D

TwoShoess · 15/10/2021 17:46

I wonder if we can turn this thread into a motivational thread to help us keep exercising through the winter? Maybe this isn’t the right place for it, and I’m sure there are many other motivational threads out there, but just a thought :)

Stellaris22 · 15/10/2021 18:03

Do you have time for the gym? I’m awful for motivation so I came up with a plan to hire a PT. I schedule in sessions twice a week, and I find having that session means I can’t just decide to skip going to the gym. It’s worked for six months so far!

I plan my solo sessions and have a list of exercises, sets, reps or circuits. I tried out a few classes to find a few I’m happy to do regularly.

But the PT is what really works for me.

PollyIndia · 15/10/2021 18:13

I’d agree with timetabling it so it’s a non negotiable part of your day. And yea finding something you enjoy. I hated the gym when I used to go years ago. Yoga and reformer pilayes and walking is my thing. Never get bored of those, and they keep me well and strong.

Also know that while it may be hard to establish it as a habit, you will feel so good when it is established. Feeling well and strong is the best thing you can do for yourself as you get older, in my humble opinion.

PlugUgly1980 · 15/10/2021 18:25

I'm with the early starters. I get up a 5am, I run or go on the turbo trainer for an hour. I leave for work at 7am so still have loads of time to have a shower, breakfast, etc and not feel rushed. I do all my prep the night before so no excuses, kit laid out, Garmin charged, iPad charged, even have a sorts drink made up if I'm riding indoors,

Polkadots2021 · 15/10/2021 19:09

@Rainydays55

I haven’t done proper exercise for months, always manage to find an excuse to put it off, after a day of work / commute I just feel like I want to crash on the sofa! Anyone got any tips of how to re start exercising?! How do you get motivated?!
I'm a PT OP, and honestly for the first few weeks it's a haul, and you have to drag yourself out there, but if you stick with it, after a few weeks you'll start getting a little high from the exercise then if you don't give up and keep on going you'll get a bit addicted in a positive way. Then it gets way easier.

Also think about a bit of exercise equipment like a bike in front of the TV or just dancing to tunes in your front room for 30 mins every day as it makes exercising so much easier. You don't need poncy exercise stuff or gym memberships or anything else.

MorganSeventh · 15/10/2021 19:30

I just have to accept I often won't feel motivated and go anyway. I tend find motivation is a bit overrated tbh. Or at least it only tends to appear sporadically. It's the nine times you do something when you don't feel motivated which count rather than the one time out of ten when you do

Stellaris22 · 15/10/2021 19:47

The first time going to a gym or starting exercise is the hardest. Personally I would trial a membership, then you can try equipment and classes to find what works for you and what you enjoy.

A big thing that helps me is knowing I can use various weights, machines or equipments to suit my current goals. If I only had some dumb bells and a bike at home I’d quickly get bored.

Hankunamatata · 15/10/2021 19:59

Iv literally just started (a month in) and I'm starting small as I'm super overweight and unfit. Found a very small gym that isn't very busy and I just do 30 mins on cross trainer then stretches.

I set aside 3 times a week that work for me and its really short so isn't too daunting. I find it easier to exercise when I'm already out. So I go in morning when I dropped kids off twice a week and then one afternoon as I finish work an have an hour before I have to pick the kids up. Iv maintained it for 4 weeks so far,