Exercise SO HARD

[Dontknowwhattodo223]

I am so down at the moment and finding exercise so difficult. I went to a gym class yesterday and it felt like I was wading through treacle, my body feels like the tin man. But one of the main things that gets me down is how fat I am so I need to keep exercising. Any tips?

Swimming and walking

small sustainable changes to be more active generally. like walking more, taking the stairs etc.

and then find something you enjoy. try a few different things. I hate dancing but love a combat sport. hate swimming but love running.
add some (core) strength training, like pilates.

all the best.

I'm technically obese (BMI is 35) and I exercise a fair bit. Agree with pp.

It really is about finding something you like doing. I also break it up through the day, exercise snacks (Katy Bowman) rather than big lumps. Do an online stretch class and swim. Also taken up cycling with other ladies (Breeze) and had a go at mountain biking, road and now cyclocross. Was lapped by the whippet cyclists but it was fab! So exciting.

If I want to be lighter, I'd diet very gradually. Buggered up my thyroid last time I lost a lot of weight, so I'd definitely suggest you get your bloods done, in case you're short of iron or your thyroid is on the blink.

OP, it feels hard because it IS hard. I honestly find it frustrating when people say 'just find something you enjoy' because if you find it hard it can make you feel like it's just you. It's not.

But! It will 100% definitely get easier. You just have to a) be kind to yourself self and congratulate yourself for just doing it, and b) take it easy and don't compare yourself to others. Accept that it will be hard for a while but it won't be hard forever.

I hear what you're saying but it is easier if you enjoy it in the first place. Plus I train easy as I'm more likely to be consistent.

A 10 minute walk and a few get up and downs off the floor every day will beat one hard effort every so often. Consistency is the key thing with exercise to make it easier.

And even as a staunch introvert, something with a social aspect also helps. There is a lot of research that supports this.

I have osteoarthritis and struggle with my joints and it has made my normal exercise feel so much harder. Then I get out of the exercise habit and don't do any. Getting back into it is SO hard.

What normally works for me, and it may sound weird, but putting the music channels on on the TV and turning the volume up and dancing in my lounge. Sounds bonkers but dancing actually burns calories and its bloody fun! (well to me it is anyway) If one of my old clubbing days tracks comes on i'm gone!! 😆😂But it gets me out of breath and gives me a nice heart rate boost and raises the endorphins!

This is something I did when my first DD was little and it was hard to find time to exercise. I put music on and we would dance together and we both enjoyed it. She loved dancing with mummy and I lost weight! Win Win!

I think keep trying different things until you find something that you like (or don't dislike so much!) but trust me, whatever you do, keep doing it because with consistency you'll notice results - I don't necessarily mean in appearance initially (but that will come with consistency but it takes longer) but you'll start finding yourself FEELING fitter / stronger / more flexible - and that really does give you a motivational boost when you start noticing your hard work paying off. By biggest tip though is to try and focus on getting into exercise for how it makes you feel and knowing the improvements to health, rather than for looks, as it will be easier to maintain motivation.

One thing you could try - weight lifting. I love the feeling of being STRONG.

And the other thing is to take it slooooowly. Slow and steady wins the race!

That's why the couch to 5k, for example, starts with just 90 second intervals of running. It's frustrating if you have a lot of energy, but it is sensible and you're in it for the long haul.

And yes @Lemonyfuckit is right - getting strong is amazing. Weight lifting and getting to lift really stuff is wonderful - and exhausting in a different way from doing endless cardio exercises.

I wouldn't recommend just doing endless treadmill, cross trainer stuff - you need to train for strength as well. And mobility.

Keep doing it, it's the only thing that will make it less hard.

I started a new job in Feb and started cycling to work after 5 years of working from home. The first couple of months were like you said, like cycling through treacle. And then it just got easier. I barely feel it any more and I've lost a stone and a half.

Just keep going. Yes it sucks. But you know it is what will get you to your goal.

I found this discussion on "motiviation" helpful recently, if you can get past the American-ness of it!

Start on some easier classes. Combine with weight loss group like Slimming World. As you loose weight you will find the classes easier and exercise will help you loose weight.

Whatever exercise you choose, don't overdo it if you are unfit. I ended up with costochondritis after overdoing it in physio, and it took me months to recover. Little and often and build up your fitness.
Its also difficult to lose weight and gain muscle at the same time, so pick one and work on that. I'd focus on eating more protein, using weights and gaining muscle and fitness rather than losing weight.

My gym allows you into the studio and spin studio when they are not being used. I download lessons on lesmills+ and do the classes on my own.

Poss try and fit exercise into everyday activities, walk/cycle to work, shun lifts and escalators, carry your shopping, download a walking app and discover unexplored walks in your area, listening to podcast, audio books etc

Get a dog 😍

Walk with headphones and a podcast

Stick with it until it becomes a habit, then it's far easier to continue

Weight loss is more about calories than exercise

I started working out 9 months ago and today was the first time I thought, oh this feels quite easy!!

There are so many great online exercise platforms many with live classes, try a few free sessions and find ones you like. You can also pick up second hand fitness equipment really easily on Facebook marketplace.

I do a lot of strength and weight training at home but have recently added in a bit of rebounding which is fun.

Dont give up, I honestly think we have to approach exercise like brushing our teeth, it’s a pain but it’s a non negotiable we have to do.

There's absolutely point in you even entering a gym if you don't enjoy being there.

I'm the opposite of you and love to just walk around roads nosing at the gardens along the way, sometimes taking a coffee, and my time, being out and about in the fresh air makes me feel so much better.

Do you drive?
There were times I'd drive and park up in areas that I liked to stroll round just for some different scenery...maybe on the outskirts of shops and add a visit to these in with walks.

Its difficult if you live out in the sticks as fields aren't always where you want to walk alone, especially when its damp on the grass and roads with no pavements aren't always the best either...

That's me since moving and I really do miss just throwing my coat and shoes on and taking myself off for a stroll.

Can you workout with a friend so you have an accountability buddy?
If you need to lose a lot of weight, walking won’t do it. You need to do cardio and strength, and this is way easier with someone else if you struggle with motivation.

The best form of exercise is the one you enjoy.

I hate gym classes but I love weight lifting. I do enough cardio doing the school run, but I'm a massive child at heart and walking for the sake of walking is so off putting, so I still play games like pokemon go if I have to walk somewhere, and sometimes will walk just to play the game.

Also high intensity workouts are not very fat friendly. We have so much additional pressure on our joints already. Things like spinning, high intensity aerobics, basically fast paced non-stop movements aren't sustainable.

If you haven't already, check out Mr. Motivator. He adapts a lot of workouts to be disability and beginner friendly if you do want to do aerobic style exercises. Otherwise find something at your pace. Don't compare yourself to everyone else. Your pace is good enough for you and it will naturally pick up.

Get a puppy. Or borrow a dog to walk.

I hate exercise/sport, would never go to a gym but walking my dogs has kept me fit and kept me at a healthy BMI.

I'm hoping to get some inspiration from this thread. I find it hard too OP!

How is your diet? I always find if I haven't eaten properly or at all I find exercise a real drag. I can't do it on an empty stomach I need some calories in me to perform well. Maybe try a small snack before you go that has some good carbs and protein to give you energy

Also accept that some days exercise will be hard, you just have to push through. There are ups and downs. I do regular yoga and yesterday for some reason I just could not hold a balancing pose at all.

Mr Monkey is a very good runner - he runs multiple marathons a year, often in under 3.15 hrs.

However there will be days when he comes back from a 5k run exhausted and complaining how hard it was.