To not want to exercise

[beewaspfly]

help me out here. Wrong side of 40, in the thick of perimenopause. All of my friends, and I mean all, have started exercising like crazy in the past few years- even the ones I’d least expect. My GP keeps telling me I HAVE to start strength training or I’ll have an unbearable later life.

but…I don’t want to. It’s just so tedious. I hate the gym, hate PT even more, hate classes (have tried several), hate home work outs, even the short ones. I don’t get any endorphin rush from it or whatever. The prospect of doing it ruins my day - it’s better if I do it first thing but even then I hate every minute.

id rather just be walking somewhere nice, meeting friends, working, napping, catching up on tv and eating amazing food with my family, reading and enjoying my life without the sense of impending dread.

im size 10, love to walk for HOURS every day, slim but not really toned (ok, a bit flabby in some areas), feel pretty healthy on the whole. Can’t I just keep doing what I’m doing? Please??

my mum is in her 70s and fine doing what I do, although she has had some falls lately. Dad says he wish he’d worked out as he’s such a weedy skinny old man now (his words). But they’re fine. My grandmother is in her 90s and going strong.

why do I have to do this? Why is everyone else doing this? Someone tell me one good reason and I’ll stop moaning

Check out Growingannanas and Caroline Girvan on YouTube and you can go at your own pace, using whatever dumbbell weights that work for you whilst being somewhat challenging.

Tip: work on your core - everything is way easier with a strong core. Try the Bowflex 3-minute plank. Start with 20-30 seconds and go from there.

You’ve been told you need to do it. I’ve never been told that. Maybe you’re particularly frail or weak? I don’t know. Do it, don’t do it. Choice is yours. You know the consequences. Weaker bones, osteoporosis, not being independent for as long perhaps you could be, feeling and looking good. You don’t need to spend as long as you say. There are 30 minute workouts you can easily do at home if you don’t like gyms. I mean 40, you’re young! Just get on with it while you can 30 mins out of your day is nothing.

I try to do something 3/4 days a week. One could be a very brisk walk for 40 mins.

I do feel great after exercise, but really need a routine. I do circuits with weights, spin, running I’m over 50 and feel good! I need more weights. Just get yourself a little routine and get it done in the morning if that’s the best time for you, you’ll be more energetic for your day.

Haven't read the whole thread, but I doubt many people are doing forty minutes several times a week. With any form of exercise, something is always better than nothing. Two ten minute sessions will still make a difference.

Exactly.

I guess foot stamping is a form of exercise?

Yes. Often recommended for bone strength. 😀

https://www.healthline.com/health/managing-osteoporosis/exercises-to-strengthen-your-bones#exercises-to-try

And i guess alternate foot stamping with forward motion is a kind of jog

I get regular dexa scans because of a medical condition.

I do about 4x 15 minute weights sessions a week and I started slower. My bone density has increased by 17% over 8 years and now into the normal range from osteopenic. Small sessions absolutely make a difference.

Nah. My grandmother lived to 95 and was fit as a flea. She went walking every day but never saw the inside of a gym.

@iniati That's very inspiring, thanks for sharing. I think most of us could manage that. I had a DEXA last year after an accident and luckily my bone density is decent for my age. If I start doing 4x15 mins a week like you, perhaps I can even increase it.

I'm 72. About 20 years ago I had a DEXA scan which found some osteopenia and the beginnings of osteoporosis in my lower spine. I took this as my cue to start exercising seriously - up until that point I had merely done a bit of aerobic exercise in a haphazard sort of way. Still not doing full-whack weight training, but doing more resistance exercises.

I had another scan nearly ten years ago and my bone density had improved significantly. Since then I discovered Caroline Girvan and have followed her programmes. Working out 4-5 times a week, 40-5 minutes, using 5, 8 and 10 kg dumbbells. Totally life-changing. I still ski, swim, cycle, ice-skate, hike. I’m fitter than many women half my age.

Some people may live to a ripe old age without exercising, but I’m not going to chance it. My mother broke her hips in her eighties and never walked again - she didn’t have the strength. An 80-years ago-old friend of mine has had several falls over the past 10 years, and every time her recovery takes longer and her capacity declines.

😂

That's an amazing result.

However, I'd just say (gently) that many older women who have had children have some prolapse already and are advised not to lift heavy weights. Low squats are a potential issue too as are lunges.
I've had surgery for prolapse and those sorts of weight are a no-no. 2kg in each hand, seated , is the most I can do.

I bet your lovely grandmother had a very different life to the one most Gen X and younger are living in terms of diet and movement.

God, you actually are revolting. And give all ‘fitness industry people’ a bad name. You actually sound like you’re trying to wind everyone up for fun.

I don’t give anyone a bad name, I don’t speak for all fitness professionals. If you judge a whole category of person by your experience with just one of them that sounds v much like a you problem.

and my mother smokes 2 packs a day and has no health issues. So all that talk about smoking being bad for you must be wrong.

No. There is no need to go to the gym if you go for a good walk every day, do your own housework etc and keep fit that way.

But while we’re on that, my non smoking, non drinking marathon running father dropped dead at 46. His smoking, drinking brothers are still alive in their late 70s. None of us know when we will die so enjoy it while you can.

that's exactly the point of this thread. You are more likely to enjoy your life in your later years if you do resistance training, consistently. The research here is not mixed or controversial, it all says the same thing. Anecdote about an exception is an anecdote that does not refute all the evidence.

Lesbians are part of the reason you don't like exercise?

I started doing an hour a week. One Pilates class on Sunday morning.

Then added 30 mins a day walking before work.

Then one hour-long strength class. Which was replaced with two hour-long strength training sessions at the gym - first thing Monday, and Wednesday. I’m up at 6am, in gym by 6.15am, home by 7.20am, walk the dogs then I’m in the shower for 8am.

Then I added an extra hour Pilates on Thursday night, because I love it

Then an hour of yoga on Wednesday night because it complements Pilates.

Then an hour of HIIT strength first thing Thursday morning because apparently this is me now.

So now I’m up to 9 hours a week on a good week. I’m not super fit. I’m super busy as a company director. Everything is first thing in the morning or last thing at night. But I’m only doing things I enjoy and it started with just one Pilates class after years of doing absolutely nothing. 22 stone and wildly unfit.

So people should just find one thing they don’t hate and see what it grows into. If it never gets past that one thing - you found something you enjoy. I chose Pilates because I hate jiggling and joggling about, and sweating, and it’s all about precise, controlled movements. It suits me well and I am loving the balance, flexibility and strength it gives me. I feel strong on my feet. Powerful.

Reducing successful exercise down to numbers is a poor motivational strategy for most people. Someone could quite reasonably do enough exercise and enjoy doing it, but as their Vo2 Max isn't responding, feel like they are failing.

Yes. The most important thing I have learned is that something is better than nothing.

I started with a 5 min YouTube arm workout. I may never manage 3 x 40 mins weights sessions but that's ok

She is 90!? Good grief. You have no idea if she would have been able to get up or not. You would maybe have a point if she was 65, but at 90 you have no point at all.