AIBU to think I can get fit doing 15 mins a day?

[worriedaboutfitness]

I absolutely hate exercise. You name it I've tried it- walking, swimming, classes, personal trainer, yoga, everything.

However I am really unfit, and now I'm 30 I'm aware that I don't want to end up like my parents- almost immobile at the age of 65 from a life time of not moving their bodies.

I've joined a gym in earnest, but I really cannot make myself do long workouts- because I'm so unfit it's really a horrible experience for me, and I don't feel good afterwards. However I have been for the last 3 days and done about 15 mins of cardio each time. I know that most normal people go to the gym every couple of days for a proper session but I just don't know if I can bring myself to that.

AIBU to think I can improve my fitness levels in this way? Or is it not long enough to make a difference?

Cardio's shit. Strength training is brill. Great fun and amazing results. Get a trainer for a few sessions to teach you the basics.

Obviously it takes more than 15 minutes, but being enjoyable you'll actually look forward to it

Both are good. Steady state cardio is where all the endorphins are at.😍

I WFH most of the time. I have built a small gym in the summerhouse. It means that I have been able to cancel my expensive gym membership and is obviously way more convenient. Anyone with a spare room can set up a home gym. I would never go back to having a gym membership. Once you get into the habit of it, ‘going to’ your home gym becomes second nature. I have a Sonos speaker set up in there, i crank up my music loud and work out, never having to wait for machines or worry about how I look (or sound!) sometimes I train in my pjs . In fact, on the days where before I wouldn’t have bothered to go to the gym, days where I was just too busy or tired, I will ‘go to’ my home gym as the time and effort to get there is precisely none.

I train for 20-30 mins 5 times a week, training with heavy weights and I follow Caroline Girvan on YouTube, she has a huge following as she is inspirational, humble, happy and positive. I cannot recommend her enough. She has a huge amount of 10, 15, 20, 30 + mins free workouts with weights. You can start as heavy as you can do and then work up. Training with weights is incredibly motivating and fun. So much more interesting than cardio. My soul would die if I did cardio 4-5 times a week. Good luck with whatever fitness path you choose to take 😊

I am someone who doesn’t really like to exercise, and if I’m busy/pulled in lots of directions it’s the first thing that gets dropped

Getting fitter IS hard work, but worth it, and if it’s health/mobility you really don’t have to be going for Olympic gold. It’s also a lot easier in 30s than 40s so you’ve got age on your side. I can improve my own fitness a lot in a month or so of consistent exercise (not massively hard, just consistent 30/40 mins few times a week. Brisk walks, slow jigs, gum machines etc)

I’d suggest getting a programme at the gym OR booking a few PT sessions (maybe with a friend?) to build up some fitness

Other ideas: YouTube videos (I like Gina B workouts) or getting a machine for home. Going for longer walks with a friend or listening to podcasts… Once you have a base of fitness you could try to find a class/ sport/activity you enjoy - and you might find it more enjoyable if you have a base of fitness

An elliptical trainer seems a good option to me: total body movement, doesn’t feel hard, can watch TV while doing it - if you have the space

Thanks all for the advice, I am so appreciative- and it’s so nice to hear from people who are supportive and understand!

I did do 15 mins yesterday on the rower- plus I tried some weight machines. As others have said you can sort of watch other people using them to get an idea! I only had the very lowest weight on everything but it was nice to give it a go.

I did a few spin classes when I was really unfit. That was good because you alter the resistance yourself so if you’re dying you just don’t increase it much and you pedal slower. It’s a good way of doing 30/45 mins of exercise. And obviously as you get fitter you can get more out of it. Try the excercise bikes on your own and see how long you can cycle on them.

@worriedaboutfitness

Thanks all for the advice, I am so appreciative- and it’s so nice to hear from people who are supportive and understand!

I did do 15 mins yesterday on the rower- plus I tried some weight machines. As others have said you can sort of watch other people using them to get an idea! I only had the very lowest weight on everything but it was nice to give it a go.

Well done OP. The main thing is building exercise into a habit and you're on the way.

Also swimming! It’s great exercise even if you’re doing it slowly and the effort to get changed etc means you don’t leave after 5 minutes

I did do 15 mins yesterday on the rower- plus I tried some weight machines.

Fantastic!

One thing I’d recommend- keep a record of what you do. Write down your current weight and your measurements.

Write down what you do each day, including the weight you use , the time on cardio machines and the resistance etc.

Don’t obsess about weight or measurements! They’re just there for comparison. Check in with those every 3 months or so.

But as you get fitter, you’ll see the figures for your weights and cardio go up! This is HUGELY motivating. It can happen slowly - it doesn’t matter how long it takes, as long as you make sure you change things around a bit. The “cross training effect “ really helps - rowing for a couple of weeks, then maybe walking/slow running on the treadmill for a couple of weeks, then the stationary bike, and do on. The change will challenge your body and make it adapt and that’s what gets you fitter!

I didn’t do this and I wish I had. I have to rely on how I feel and that I can now use very heavy weights (lifting/squatting at least my body weight) and run much faster than I used to without feeling panicked and exhausted ( as I used to feel).

Although I know that taking my fitness in hand properly about 4 years ago, has made me far far fitter. I did weigh myself though and careful diet and building up my fitness I’ve dropped about 15kg.