Pls help me find a challenge that is active and FUN to help me get fit in 2023

[meetmynewusername]

I used to be slim and fit (well fit-ish) 10 years ago, when I had an active job.

Now I sit down all day every day and have accumulated 2 extra stone that I am determined to lose in 2023.

I have tried diets with some limited success but what I really need help with is exercise, for my mental health as much as physical health and the weight loss.

I hate running. I hate swimming. I hate yoga. I generally hate anything involving discomfort / getting out of breath / being sweaty.

So I am looking for something that I can do / aim towards that will motivate me and help to overcome general aversion to exertion! It needs to be extremely fun or extremely impressive (preferably both).

Any ideas?

(I couldn’t possibly run a marathon, not nearly fun enough.)

Take up Taekwondo. You'll be getting fitter as you go and also learning self-protection skills. Earning belts (and tags) keeps you motivated, and progressing also means learning new patterns. So it doesn't get boring.

CrossFit! Functional fitness. Mix of cardio and weights, gymnastics, etc. Does get you breathless and sweaty but only in short bursts.

Sounds a bit like me OP, except I do like swimming. My favourites are aqua fit, cycling and table tennis. All very seasonal in that I tend to stop them over the winter months (like now) and then start up again in March/April-October.

Definitely find something to do with others, as a group, as that is much more fun and sociable imho. How about some kind of dance?

Roller skating?

Thanks for the ideas. I have tried classes like Zumba and Pilates in the past and usually something stressful will happen in life, I will skip a class, then never go back.

Is there some sort of challenge I can sign up for? A danceathon or something 🤔

I’m sure a colleague told me in the dim and distant past about something where you deposit some money with a website somewhere, and it will only release it back to you if you have accomplished your goal. You nominate a friend to verify that you did what you said you would! Does that ring any bells with anyone (or maybe this was just an idea my colleague dreamed up and didn’t actually exist…)

Oh yes I've heard of that - about the fund withholding! Can't remember where though.

Oh yes I do. It was in the book exercised by Dan Lieberman.

As for the challenge. I'm no help whatsoever!

I started running couch to 5k then just stuck with it. Grew organically. Never sponsored for anything now love it for what it gives me. Such a cliche!

Rowing!