I know I need to exercise but don’t want to start!

[Cloud44]

Early 40s, feeling in a bit of a slump, think I’ve got some peri symptoms, I know I need to exercise and I’m sure it will do me good but I don’t want to start! I tend to do between 7-10,000 steps of a weekday and sometimes more of a weekend but apart from that I don’t really exercise. I’m starting to feel I really want to do my best to feel better and healthier in myself, but how can I motivate myself to start! Also when I’ve exercised in the past at first I’ve felt worse, like come down with a cold, or been really achy… is that normal? Should I start off slower and build up to more exercise over the coming weeks?

It’s easy, I was a fat old inactive cow 6 months ago.

Now I excercise 6 or 7 times a week. I was super proud I got to so many hours and I’m now called a platinum slimming world body magic member when I miss exercise.

I built up each week on walking and step push through pain. I was even known for walking on day of useless operation.

Definitely start slow & work up.

Maybe try a few different things to see what you enjoy & can stick with, & then set targets like exercising regularly for a week, then a month, & reward yourself when you reach them?

Id really recommend couch 2 5k, I thought I couldn't run at all but it builds up very gradually and is very manageable. There's a good FB support group too

I'm like this, hate exercise but the one type I love is swimming. Do you swim?

I’m the same age as you and just starting to try and get exercise into my routine. I do about 30-60 minutes a day. If I can’t be fucked I try and do at least 10 mins and usually at the end I say fuck it I’ve started I’ll continue. I give myself 1 day a week where I don’t do anything.

the intensity of exercise I change up, depending on how sore my muscles are. So at the start I’m just focusing on actually doing something not necessarily pushing myself too hard

Have a listen to a podcast with someone like Stacey Sims. The benefits of exercise for peri/menopausal women are immense. The sooner you start the easier it will be. But do take it easier the week before your period, else you’ll tank your progesterone. That’s yoga week.

Do lots of free or one-off taster sessions until you find something that you enjoy.

The pain/aches is totally normal. It's just because you have used muscles in a way that you don't normally. Over time this gets much easier - just make sure you start off gently with whatever you choose.

i think the trick is to find something you like (or at least don’t hate) and locking yourself in for a couple of months until you develop a routine and work past the initial discomfort (which is normal, but temporary).

Some people love Pilates or dance or biking or swimming - I loathe them all, even while recognising how good they can be for me. There are things like running that I enjoy (once I can get to a comfortable 5k) but are too unstructured (for me) when I am out of a routine. I do kinda sorta like lifting heavy weights and am firmly booked in to 3 weight based classes per week. Decision is made in advance, paid in advance, and I have friends who would miss me if I didn’t show up. I frequently dread going, but I never regret it afterwards.