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Exercise

Chat to other fitness enthusiasts on our Exercise forum.

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Original poster

If exercise never used to be an integral part of your life, but now is....what changed?

75 replies

Twerking9to5 · 27/12/2015 19:18

Sorry for slightly clunky thread title.

I grew up in a household where exercise really wasn't part of life. It was something you did an hour a week at school and when you needed to lose a bit of weight. I really, really want to try changing my mindset as I want exercise to be a non negotiable part of my life.

I want to be fit, strong and healthy but scared of just giving up after a few weeks like always

So....if you used to be like this but now are a regular happy exerciser, what changed? How did you do it? Did you find something you loved? Did you just force yourself until it became habit?!

OP posts:

Finlaggan · 27/12/2015 19:20

Sorry can't help but watching with interest...

Ledkr · 27/12/2015 19:21

Place marking.
I have a plan. My dd goes to dancing 3 x per week for around two hrs. I have joined a gym near the studio so will go when she is there.
I'm hoping that will help.

KittyandTeal · 27/12/2015 19:22

I started specifically to loose weight. Did classes and started actually enjoying it. I now enjoy the way it makes my body feel, like I'm doing something I'm supposed to do.

I run now rather than gym and it is just habit. However, I've noticed such a huge difference to my mental and physical health that even when I don't fancy it I force myself, but like medicine. Today I was knackered after a bad nights sleep and eating so much crap over Christmas, I forced myself out for a run, it was a terrible one, really hard but I feel better for it.

cece · 27/12/2015 19:26

I grew up in a similar family. Until 3 years ago I rarely if ever exercised and was pretty fat. Then I decided to try running.

Downloaded couch to 5 k from the NHS website and started. It's a 9 week programme and tbh it was torture at times. But I was determined to at least finish the 9 weeks. Then something happened. I started to like it - or at least the feeling of when I finished! Endorphin high?! Then gradually I started to enjoy the actual running....

Still running 3 times a week after 3 years and now do yoga 2 or 3 times per week now as well. It kind of gets addictive!

CMOTDibbler · 27/12/2015 19:26

I committed to it - first to see it to the end of c25k, then to do a 10k event, then a half marathon, then a triathlon and so on.

I don't always enjoy the training, but when I get things in my diary and entered it gives me that incentive.

Couchto5ktowine · 27/12/2015 19:31

Yep, this was me (ignore the username for the purposes of this post!)

Exercise wasn't a part of my growing up at all. I started it regularly in my 30s as part of losing weight: swimming first, then gym, then plucked up the courage for running and outdoor classes. I've now even got a personal trainer.

What changed for me is that once I got into the habit, I realised the positive effect it was having to my mental health. So I will never be someone who leaps out of bed purely with the excitement of the prospect of a run; but info realise that if I don't do something at least twice a week I'll feel worse for it.

craftynclothy · 27/12/2015 19:32

I took up climbing. Everyone is really friendly and it didn't feel competitive like running iykwim.

Then I added in gym/classes to improve strength for climbing.

ProfYaffle · 27/12/2015 19:38

Growing up, our family were the same as yours. We didn't really even consider 'exercising' as a thing.

When I was in my 20's I got into fitness in a big way. I think mainly because it was part of my social life. I was in various clubs/groups etc and made friends at exercise classes I went to.

It all went off the boil for a few years when the dc were small (plus we live rurally so are limited in gym/class options) but now they're older I have more time and have got back into though not to the same extent. I usually workout at home with a DVD. I really enjoy the feeling of being fit/toned etc (could be slimmer though!)

VintageDresses · 27/12/2015 19:38

Changed my friends! Sounds extreme,but the reason inverted did sport at school was that my friends didn't, so I had no-one to go to clubs etc with.

I first started running to a race for life 8 years ago and through that shared interest (and joining a running club) made friends who were generally more active, so now if I fancy a day out hiking, ice skating, a bike ride or even entering a marathon, I know several people who would enjoy doing it with me. I also now have friends who will suggest various exercise related events to me.

I still see my old friends and some are very dear to me but I have more fun with the new ones and they're better for me

vodkaandregret · 27/12/2015 19:44

Never really been into exercise, rubbish at PE at school, too uncoordinated for aerobics and basically just lazy! Now I have lost some weight and feel better about my body so want to get fit too - I am joining a beginners running group that starts in the New Year that follows the Couch25K programme so hope that will give me the kick start I need.

PurpleDaisies · 27/12/2015 19:47

Joined a gym and decided to get good value tor money by going a lot!

I go about three or four times a week at the moment because work is really busy but finding regular classes I liked was great because that meant it was just part of the normal weekly routine. I've been going consistently for about 18months now.

HappyJustToBe · 27/12/2015 19:54

I joined a gym to lose weight and did well but it always felt like a chore. Have now started playing Roller Derby and training is the highlight of my week.

IDoAllMyOwnStunts · 27/12/2015 19:54

Same as a few others. Downloaded C25K app in April after being a true coach potato. Got addicted to running after finishing the program. Started to lose weight with the running, have given my diet an overhaul too and have lost over 2 stone. Now feel great, have bags more energy, get complimented etc. Have carried on running 3 times a week, the mental and physical benefits have meant I do not want to give it up. A year ago I wouldn't have believed this was me saying it!

MarshaBrady · 27/12/2015 19:57

The first part doesn't quite apply as I've generally exercised - either swimming or running.

But what has made it integral is running home from work so it's my commute.

I'd find it much harder to find the time without this, but it takes about the same time as getting pt home which is fab.

LetMeDriveTheBus · 27/12/2015 20:04

I "treated" myself to a block of 8 personal training sessions after DC number 2 turned one. I had done bursts of classes or running in the past but never really enjoyed it much.

It's changed my life! I've lost 3 stone. I look better than I ever have as I'm leaner rather than just lighter. My PT inspired me, built my confidence and helped me find exercise I actually enjoy. Turns out that's lifting free weights......who'd have guessed!

I go to the gym a couple of times a week and love it. I look forward to going. It makes me feel strong and powerful. It's a huge stress buster for me and it's completely changed my body shape. As you might be able to tell, I feel quite evangelical about it!

PouncerDarling · 27/12/2015 20:08

I started doing some exercise DVDs. I thought I would try it for a few weeks. Ended up taking regular exercise for years. After the initial trial of it, I found I actually enjoyed it. And it is much easier than you think it is once you get used to it.

I used to be a dedicated lazy arse and no mistake about it. My recommendation is to think about getting through the first week and see how you feel. Don't go crazy and try something at a beginner's level.

CharleyDavidson · 27/12/2015 21:06

I didn't really exercise until I was married apart from PE and walking around.

Then I found a class and went weekly - aquarobics to start with as it was easy and fun. I had about 6 weeks out after the birth of each of my girls, then went back to it as 'me time'.

When I got bored with aquarobics because it was a bit too easy, I found a zumba class on the same night I was used to going to. Routine and a fun class is the key for me. I'd give up if it was me on a treadmill etc or running (not that I can run with my bad hip that I've had operated on), but having to stick with it to the end of the class works for me.

Now I have also found another class on a day I have off, so it's easy to fit in and a good way to start my day.

IDismyname · 27/12/2015 21:11

I signed up for the Moonwalk about 6 or 7 years ago. As part of the (walking) training, I had to 'do' another sport. There was a dance class locally that was on 6 days a week, and i thought that I could fit it in with whatever else was going on in my life.

The Moonwalk came and went, and so did another Moonwalk - the dancing continued throughout.

I now do Pilates and have 2 dogs to walk as well. I'm still far too fat, but at least I'm a lot fitter!

KikisDeliveryService · 27/12/2015 21:15

Finding the right thing. I wasn't a sporty person until I was in my late 30s, and then I found the right thing and wanted to get fitter to be better at that activity! My recommendation is to try out different stuff until something clicks.

It improved my well being, both physical and mental, and encouraged other members of my family to try out new stuff, and to make physical fitness the norm rather than unusual.

KikisDeliveryService · 27/12/2015 21:16

The starting step was a couch to 5k app, the success of that and realising I could run led me to try out other stuff, until I found the activity I feel I could not do without now.

museumum · 27/12/2015 21:19

Tried a martial art and met the best friends ever and it became an integral part of my social life as well as exercise.

Is there any skill based activity or sport you exslqays wondered about trying?

FiftyNineOhEight · 27/12/2015 21:38

I did the couch to 5K a few years ago, thanks to a brilliant support thread here on mumsnet - once I finished the 9 weeks I just kept going. I've done several half marathons and a full marathon, hoping to do another one in 2016. Training for those made me run 3 or 4 times a week, and it just became habit - even if I'm not training for anything, I have my running days.

I moved to a new town almost three years ago and joined my local parkrun, which means I run every Saturday morning without fail, and this had the added benefit of helping me make some lovely friends.

Being a runner gave me the confidence to get back on my bike after probably 30-odd years - I only cycle a couple of miles a day to and from the station, but it's regular exercise.

I have quite a stressful job, that can have peaks and troughs of work - I take my running gear to work and try to get out at lunchtime if not busy.

As others have said, running just makes me feel better about everything. I have sporty boys, and I really hope they carry it on into adulthood.

PeppaPigStinks · 27/12/2015 21:40

We got a dog ... It fell to me to walk her.

We lost the dog just over a year ago and I lasted less than two weeks before getting another one

I missed walking in the evening and going out as a family on the weekends to walk her.

We ended up at the beach yesterday - there is no way we would go if we didn't have the dog!!

BoulevardOfBrokenSleep · 27/12/2015 21:40

It's kind of a peer pressure thing for me?

The DC took up a sport, then I thought I might give it a go, and it's quite a small club so quite friendly, and people actually notice when you don't turn up; "Hey B, what happened to you on Tuesday?" "Ah, out getting pissed, but I'm here now!"

I'd say, find something you enjoy and make friends. I am pretty shit at the actual sport, never going to win any trophies, but having fun and keeping active.

FullOfChoc · 27/12/2015 21:43

I grew into exercise in my 20s after really hating PE at school. Find something you enjoy doing. For me that is dancing, ceroc, belly dancing, zumba, fitsteps are a few I've done. I also love running, the time to myself and the feeling of being able to run (I'm a very slow runner). I also love Jillian Micheals and really notice the difference when I do her DVDs.

Having a routine really helps me. I have 3 scheduled times to go for my run each week.

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