If you exercise regularly, do you enjoy it?

[Absoluteunit]

Hi MN, I started calorie counting and moving more about a month ago and have lost a stone so far

I am 5'3 and weigh nearly 250lbs and I think it's fair to say I have a disordered view of what is a healthy diet and exercise regimen.

I have upped my steps from my pre lockdown baseline which was only about 2,000 a day . Yesterday I managed just under 15k which I am very pleased with but with my weight being high my ankles and hips are really suffering this morning.

This is where I'd usually give myself a day off to recover but I'm thinking that's probably not the best thing..? If I don't push myself I'm not going to get fitter and healthier am I? (If things got really bad I would stop to avoid injury).

Anyway, it got me wondering if it stops hurting would I enjoy exercise more? I've never experienced the endorphins people talk about, even when I was a lot smaller and fitter, although I do always feel good afterwards so is that it?

Or do people not really enjoy exercise and do it because they should? Maybe I need to stop focusing on enjoying it and just bloody get on with it (I am stepping while I type this so I'm not a complete slacker!)

Has anyone on here previously hated exercise and become to enjoy it? Or do you do it out of necessity?

I get bored easily so try new things - I had swimming lessons last year and that was great - so different from school!

I much prefer to exercise with others so group classes, outdoor bootcamp classes (not as hard as that sounds), dancing sometimes and if all else fails I at least walk into town. Something ever day between 10 min and hour. Helps my mental health and sleep 👍👍

Yes it gets better, but you have to build it up slowly to give your body time to adjust and repair itself. It can be a shock to the system

If I were you, I’d use that 2000 baseline and try and do 3000-4000 for a few days, then do 5000 for a week or so (take a rest day if you hurt) and build it up slowly to 10k, even 15k steps

Once your body is used to exercise, you get a restless feeling on days you are sedentary

That’s where you want to get to. It takes time and perseverance but it is so worth it

Exercise makes you feel better than chocolate imo

Thanks everyone for all your comments. I've left the cardio for now because I'm hating it but will try again when I've lost a few more pounds. I've been walking loads - I've been breaking shielding but going out early to quiet places - and been doing at least 15k steps every day and I'm now 19lbs down woo hoo (calorie deficit not just walking).

My ankle is giving me a bit of bother (broke it years ago and it plays up from time to time) but otherwise I feel much better for it and definitely feel good afterwards.

I'm still hoping to do couch25k eventually but I think I'll stick to the walking for now until my joints can take the strain

Good job! Keep on it, but don't injure yourself. Try some basic muscle build works, if I can recommend, it will help you feel the difference and keep you motivated.

Good luck!

I hate it, all of it. I am a natural cake loving couch potato. But in order to indulge in the sofa and cake part of my life I love so much I need to move my huge arse. But it’s always a chore. I was the kids who was “sick” every single sports day and PE lesson!

I agree that not everyone loves exercise, I have recently started C25k, after not running since school 40 years ago. I don't know if you can do it, but I go about 6-6.30 on a morning, before I do anything else, then it's done for the day. Its OK, I can't say I have any endorphins but I feel better knowing I've done it. I struggled at first so did a couple of extra runs at each stage. I'm only on week 4, but I will keep going. I similar to other posters in that I love to eat, I'm a real foodie love all food, love to socialise and love a drink. Ive tried many diets, but never stick to them as I'll see a new recipe or cookery program and it will all go out the window. In fact just bought a cheese hamper so that won't help. Anyway I am going to try fasting on the 5-2 diet as I think I might be able to do that, we will see.

Oh and if you stick to your regime, then fantastic. But if you don't it may be that your trying to do to much. Rightly or wrongly, I'm trying to make a few small changes that I have a chance of keeping doing.

Swimming is great and it’s v gentle on your joints which is important when you’re bigger. Cycling also good if some flats routes to start with. I also love tennis and badminton and I think they are pretty easy to pick up as a beginner.

Sorry OP but I don't think it ever becomes enjoyable. If it's enjoyable then it's too easy and it's not exercise. It's not called working out for nothing, it's work!

I do kettlebell training as well, which might be worth a look as you can do it from home (there are lots of videos / zoom / fb online classes available). Its great as it burns loads of calories and improves your cardio, you can also do it in a low impact way which would save your ankles. Why not look and see if there are local classes or a Kettlercise franchise (Ours use music and for instance do a party session) in your area

I do yoga and stretching. The first time I did it, it was really harmful. But after two months I feel great when I do it, it makes me fit and relaxed. When I was a teen to lose weight I did swimming, it doesn't ache a lot but helped me lose my extra weight.

I do exercise I do for fun (horse riding and hiking)
And exercise I do because I want to be in shape (running and weights). The later I don’t exactly hate but I don’t exactly jump out the door to do either BUT I occasionally love it and I always feel better after.

It’s taken a while to become habit but I now just see it as something I do, like brushing my teeth.

I enjoy group exercise classes so I do outdoor bootcamp twice a week and before lockdown I did RaveFit which I really loved and Bodycombat. I still do body combat at home and actually I do enjoy it but I don't exactly look forward to it or amything.

I am booked into a crossfit group class on the weekend. I hope I enjoy that.