To wish I enjoyed exercise

[iwant2cats]

I genuinely wish I did. I don’t; I never have and never experienced the endorphin rush.

I’m the same ! What is this rush ?!
It’s just boring and hard work. I suppose I just haven’t found the right kind of exercise yet.
Although I do have big boobs which makes things difficult!

It’s more I get depressed if I don’t exercise - it’s basically a chore

I am the same, don’t get the endorphin. I think it is related to ADHD but im not diagnosed.

When i was younger I used to go running and i really enjoyed it .After the run I used to feel brilliant and energised.
Older age and health issues means I had to give up running a long time ago. I still miss the pleasure I got out of it and how it made me feel.
I don't get pleasure out of the other forms of exercise I do and see them as a chore. That is apart from brisk walking outside, although I don't even view that particularly as exercise, just an enjoyable pastime.

I also don't get the endorphins, so I've just gone with what's both easiest (in practical terms - going to a class at a set time is off putting, the gym environment is off putting, etc) and gives me the results I want. This way, by doing the exercises, I feel stronger and can be proud of myself with the least angst.

Often it’s a case of finding the right exercise for you. I used to run and did it because I felt I should.

last year I started strength training and found it was right for me, I now compete in strong woman competitions and it really has changed me for the better both physically and mentally.

what have you tried?

Exercise is the only thing that makes me feel good and excited and I look forward to.

I do it in the morning, usually in the dark with a headtorch in our open garage. It's quiet, and I have so much fun.

I look forward to it every day. I get endorphins from swimming and weights and in the past from running. Not from walking though and I don't count that as exercise in my mind.

I honestly don't think there's anything that beats it, short of getting into a cold bed for an early night ☺️

I should add I HATE exercising with anyone else. To me it's a solitary activity.

I think it definitely helps to do the right kind of exercise for you. Some people love running, racquet sports, spin class etc. and I think that helps with the high afterwards.
I love weight training, it is so empowering. But other people might prefer to go for a swim. There’s lots to try!

There was a scientific paper a while back which identified that there were responders and non responders.

You're a non responders, me too. The closest I can get is to do it first thing so I can spend that day feeling I'm glad it's over with.

Have you tried swimming outdoors? After a lifetime of begrudgingly hauling my arse to the gym because I knew I had to I can't wait to get into the water and feel amazing afterwards. Something about being immersed in nature, the big sky, the wildness of it all gives me the most uplifting rush.

Ive tried everything - running, weight training, various exercise classes including body pump, pilates, spin & yoga, team sports. I got fit enough to run half marathons so it wasnt lack of fitness, it just never felt good.

I get on best with swimming & cycling but also find that these dont really seem to result in weight loss.

The only exercise I've ever stuck with is aerobics ( in the 80s & 90s) and then Jazzercise after that. If it is to some reasonable dancey music in a regular class I enjoy it and have kept trim and fit into my 60s. The times I have tried gyms or running I've not kept it up. And as we all know, its the keeping it up that matters.

I have fun just walking on a threadmill and listening to my own upbeat playlist!! I do this japanese (i think!) thing where i walk slowly for 2 minutes and i walk very fast for three minutes and repeat. it is meant to be as effective as running. I also do get a kick from sweating and doing hard things so if i do a class or an exercise video, it has to be challenging enough that i am not bored but easy enough that i can actually do it. I like caroline girvan videos but i use much much lighter weights than she does!
as other have said, it is about finding what works for you. Our bodies are designed for movement!

Agreed. Also ‘you’ll have more energy if you exercise’. Nope. On the days I’d been for a run I’d go for a nap.

Your last sentence though. Are you exercising for enjoyment or for weight loss? Two very different goals. When exercise is a punishment for your body rather than a treat, it wont make you happy.

Me too. I just want a mars bar as a reward afterwards. But I’m in my 50’s and don’t have a choice so I lift my boring weights 3 times a week.

I get a buzz from having done it. As in, I’ve achieved something. I’ve recently started running (also do weights and Hyrox type classes) and the feeling when the breathing, pace and music come together - it’s like flying! First kilometre absolutely sucks though!

What are you doing in the garage with a head torch on? Genuine question - it made me laugh 😊

I love early mornings too. In the gloom getting stuff done before everyone else is up.

Wrt exercise - hate it! I hate getting hot and sweaty with a passion. Love yoga though and TRY to do it daily.

Yep, I have also reluctantly come to the conclusion that I hate exercise. Hopefully I just haven't found the right one for me but in my fifties and having tried lots I think it's unlikely I'll ever fall in love with it. I do yoga regularly and enjoy it, and always come out of the class pleased I've done it even though often I've had to push myself to go, despite knowing I'll feel better for it. When I was younger I genuinely loved it but now I don't love it enough to prioritise that time over doing other things.

I'm still prepared to try new exervise options in the hope of falling in love with one of them so it feels like a pleasure rather than a chore but with health issues limiting what I can actually do now it feels unlikely. Such a shame, I wish I could have loved it. Unfortunately I think for a lot of us poor teaching in school P.E. lessons put us off sports and exercise at an early age.

"I get on best with swimming & cycling but also find that these dont really seem to result in weight loss."

It's all about calories in and calories burned though isn't it. I read somewhere that you'd have to run a marathon to burn off the calories from a pizza.

Run a marathon + eat a pizza = not lose weight
Run a marathon + eat half a pizza = lose weight

Try different things. I hate running and team sports but got on really well with crossfit. Other people might love playing football but hate working out in the gym.

Although I would say that exercise doesn’t work as a weight loss tool for me. Whenever I exercise my appetite increases which makes it harder to stick to my nutrition goals. The most success I’ve had with weight loss is when I’ve been sat on my arse all day as my body isn’t doing anything so it simply doesn’t send me hunger signals. Exercise is still worth doing for other reasons though. Healthy heart, healthy lungs, etc.

I hate it too. Always have, tried every single sort of thing possible and still hate it. I was the kid always chosen last in PE and used to fake sick notes so I didn’t have to take part in sports days. I really don’t care if I shorten my life by x amount of years by not doing any if the alternative is spending x amount of years doing something I don’t enjoy, what’s the point. I do walk as much as I can but that’s mainly because I’m a tight arse and don’t want to spend money on petrol or transport when I don’t have to.

I detest exercise, and I finally realised it's because I hate that hot feeling that comes when your heart rate goes up and you start to sweat. I just cannot push past that feeling so as soon as it gets hard I stop.

I discovered water aerobics, not hot feeling, no sweating and doesn't feel that hard to do! I love it but it's not on a weekend so I can't actually go!

Edited to say actually I don't like getting wet, so I avoid my face or head getting wet at all costs. I think I have some sensory challenges? but once I'm in I'm alright.

I discovered the gym this year and love it. I never got the endorphins thing until now. I come out feeling good but also knowing I’ve lost weight and gained muscles so I look good. I hate not going. I do strength training (which is also massively beneficial in later life) and it’s changed everything.