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Exercise

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Original poster

If you don't like exercise, why not?

239 replies

akaemmafrost · 21/05/2012 16:39

I run or swim most days. Whenever I mention that have done this I nearly always get the same responses:-

Oh you are good.
God, I couldn't be bothered with that.
I hate exercise!

Seriously, it made me wonder why do people see it as such an evil difficult thing?

So just being nosy really.

OP posts:
Miladygardenia · 21/05/2012 23:12

I used to be an exercise hater too. Very scornful about the whole thing, I was.

Then I was persuaded into trying a karate class by a rather attractive young, fit man Nine years later, still going. Even through pregnancy. And I still sweat a lot. Now I've just started c25k a) to get fitter to get better at karate and b) because I've always thought I 'couldn't run' so suddenly decided to prove myself wrong. And, stangely, am loving it.

Still don't like swimming though. Changing rooms always too hot, get sweaty getting changed, nasty chloriney smell. Nah. Can live without that.

msbuggywinkle · 21/05/2012 23:16

I dislike any team or competitive sports. I love swimming, but to be able to go would require several hours child free and I have an ebf baby. Even when the baby is older I would only be able to go once a week which is basically the same as not going at all.

FarrowAndBollock · 21/05/2012 23:20

When I haven't exercised it has been because of children at home/bad joints or lack of time.

I love exercise at the moment and am so pleased to have found something the old joints can cope with (gym). It makes me feel fit, healthy and strong and makes such a fantastic difference to my life. As well as feeling fitter, there are social benefits of going to the gym, and I feel better for having done something that I sometimes find quite a struggle.

At my gym there are lots of people in their 70s and 80s plus - I hope I will be one of them one day.

Trestle · 21/05/2012 23:41

Oh yes, annoying competitive people. Just go away and let me attempt to get fit on my own! Can't stand team sports, I don't "get" them at all. Always thought it was a bit mean-spirited of people to take the ball from someone else!

buggyRunner · 22/05/2012 07:13

I love exercise- gym is great- do my own thing in the presence of others- semi social. People are always friendly wanting to help/ talk.

Running is my 'me' time. I zone out listen to music and sort out my problems. Always come back happy.

Taking the kids swimming is enjoyable but I don't class it as exercise.

I also walk- I ensure my kids get daily exercise being a trip to the park, soft play or swim. As important as feeding them well

alwaysrunninginheels · 22/05/2012 07:37

I love exercise too. And over the years have had many many strange looks from people as they list why they hate it.
Love the gym and over the years have gotten into running and have now signed up for a half marathon- mainly to raise money for a very very poorly little 2 year old and research into her cancer- not because I was keen to run 13 miles.
I decided to do the moonwalk as a challenge for my 3dc first birthday.
Ditto my first ever 10k for 2dc birthday
It's part of who I am and I think it helps me get through the hard times as running is the one time I can completely clear my head.
Love love love it!

stressheaderic · 22/05/2012 07:43

It's boring.
It costs money.
I'm naturally thin so I don't have to.
I'd rather sit on the couch and read a book.
I hate being sweaty.

CurrySpice · 22/05/2012 08:04

Hmm. Can I be brutally honest. A lot of these "excuses" sound a bit...erm...silly. You don't like getting sweaty? That makes you sound about 14!! Grin

And you slim people do know that slim doesn't automatically mean healthy don't you?

I run. And part of what I love about it is that it's boring. When I run I think about nothing and tbh it's the only time I have that luxury. It's like a little holiday.

I enjoy challenging myself. Trying to make a small improvement each time.

I am crap at it. And still overweight. But I do love it!

ampere · 22/05/2012 08:26

curry- to be fair, the bit about 'sweaty'- some people can actually begin to feel a bit 'panicky' when they get sweaty. I don't suppose you've reached the age of 'hot flushes' yet- they can make a sane, sensible woman really need to get out of the room they're in, like claustrophobia.

It's great that
a) you love running and have the time to do it
b) it's the 'thing' you do to zone out (I'm learning the flute, myself- THAT challenges me!)

But it's a bit unfair to regard everyone else who doesn't 'get it' as 'being 14'.

As I said earlier, in the same way those who leap, refreshed and ready to go at sparrow's fart can get a bit smug and superior over those who struggle to wake up and can take hours over it- actually needing to do exercise doesn't actually make you a better human being. In some people, it's innate.

It has also been demonstrated that some people don't actually derive much benefit from regular exercise. I know I exercised properly and religiously for years when I was younger (before babies and other responsibilities ate my time, really- and before those 'normal' exercise aches and pains became semi-permanent!). I can honestly say it never made me feel 'better', fitter or stronger. I never had a mirror-moment. I do have plenty of friends, though, who see they've gaining a bit of wobble, then 4-5 weeks later, you can see they've toned up again. Stepped up some exercise a bit and voila. Result.

Maybe I'd feel differently if I were one of those!

StarlightMcKenzie · 22/05/2012 08:33

Curry, it's fabulous that you love being bored. I don't.
All I can think of is about everything I can't get done BECAUSE I'm doing a mindless, tiring, boring and hurting activity.

It doesn't register high on my list of priorities.

I used to enjoy dancing when I was single but most venues play the same music each time so I quickly get bored of that too, although vodka does help to an extent.

TheHouseOnTheCorner · 22/05/2012 08:35

It hurts!

StrandedPolarBear · 22/05/2012 08:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CurrySpice · 22/05/2012 08:38

Ampere I am the least smug person about exercise I know I can assure you. And I didn't say people were 14, I said the excuses made them sound 14.

Also, exercise isn't all about toning up and losing weight. It's about keeping healthy in the parts you can't see like your heart. My dad and grandad both died early from heart problems and I don't want to go the same way

Btw how do you know how old I am or my experience of hot flushes I wonder

As for having time, I make time. I run my own business and am LP to 2 young kids and I find time...

Look I appreciate not everyone loves exercise. Fair enough. But done of these "reasons" are acts excuses

DukeHumfrey · 22/05/2012 08:44

Well, they're reasons why we'd rather do something else with our time.

Trills · 22/05/2012 08:46

Telling me that something is good for me might make me do it more but it won't make me like it more - which is what the thread was about.

ampere · 22/05/2012 08:58

curry tbf- everyone else has pretty much posted on this OP saying 'I like exercise because.....'. You came on and told us those among us who don't 'sound like they're 14'- which is why you're being 'responded to'.

Mrsrobertduvall · 22/05/2012 09:04

I don't sweat at the gym.
And I lift 10k weights.
I do measured lifts, not go hell for leather.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 22/05/2012 09:07

I do exercise, but I don't like it. I will find any excuse not to, but I know it's good for me so I do it. I feel exactly the same as Starlight, I don't zone out, I spend the entire time fretting about all the useful stuff that isn't getting done.

The nearest I get to zoning out is while running, but I am still busy thinking about stuff, however I like being out in the fresh air, looking at peoples gardens, the view, smelling the flowers, whatever. I have given up listening to music while running because it detracts from those things and I'm not much of a music person anyway, however in the last month I have had to give up running, hopefully temporarily.

Swimming though, there's nothing to look at, no fresh air, the only plus points are low impact, which I need at the moment and not feeling sweaty. It may make me sound 14 but I hate feeling sweaty too, at least out running (in breathable fabrics) the fresh air minimises the sweaty feeling. The gym is hot, sweaty, smelly and full of loud music. Ditto classes.

UnexpectedItemInShaggingArea · 22/05/2012 09:08

I love this thread because people are being honest. I used to work in sports development and my JOB was to get more people playing sport.

Now I know why I wasn''t very successful!

BrainSurgeon · 22/05/2012 09:12

Genius nickname there Unexpected! Grin

amillionyears · 22/05/2012 09:15

I love this thread too.Have learnt a lot in more ways than one.So thanks op.

mercibucket · 22/05/2012 09:17

I took up sport a few years ago and love it now but it is hard to enjoy at first when you're so unfit it hurts in a bad way and you feel self-conscious
I did it to encourage dd to be sporty and to get a bit toned but now I do it cos I like it

I did that bokwa a few months ago though and it was one of the most hideous experiences of my life. I felt like I was 14 all over again - ungainly, out of rhythym, styleless etc

So the moral is - choose your sport wisely. I do thai boxing - who cares if you look graceful it's the punch you pack that counts (evil grin)

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 22/05/2012 09:20

One of the reasons I persist with it and pretend I enjoy it is that I want to set the DCs a good example and hopefully they will not grow up like me!

Takver · 22/05/2012 09:21

I hate exercise for the sake of it - I just look at the people who get in their car and drive to the gym, or put their fancy bike in the back of their 4x4 and think WTF?

That doesn't mean I'm not fit - I cycle when I need to go somewhere, I walk the dog or walk if I want to go to the beach or whatever, I swim in the sea when its sunny, & my job is largely outdoors & active.

I just think if your life is so sedentary that you need to 'do exercise' in order to keep fit then you've got something mixed up somewhere. Even when I had an office job cycling to work, walking to visit friends etc meant I kept fit fine.

(Of course some people like playing footie/hockey/rugby or whatever, I don't, but I can see the point of that.)

amillionyears · 22/05/2012 09:23

I have noticed that many dancers seem to live a long time.Do people on here think that that may be because they remain flexibible,exert themselves or something else.