I need to do some exercise. I don't like it. Help.

[JorisBonson]

I'm at least a stone heavier than I need to be, I think. I don't have scales - we were never encouraged to weigh ourselves growing up and I like to stick with that, instead going by how I feel, how my clothes fit etc.

My gut is growing, my clothes are uncomfortable and I really need to do something about it. I feel unhealthy and am starting to avoid mirrors.

The problem is that I am 1) lazy and 2) dislike pretty much everything I tried. I detest running, only like cycling if there's no hills, feel like a fat lump jumping about to an exercise video. I am way too self conscious to go in a gym (we had a free gym at work before Corona and my anxiety would be off the chart when I went). I'm not going to kid myself that I will go out and do something when the weather is like this. I'm also tight and don't want to fork out for expensive exercise gear 😂

I don't mind yoga but don't think it has the cardio bit that I need as such an unhealthy person. I may get a cheap second hand exercise bike and use it in the garage.

Has anyone else been at this sticking point and what did you do? I know my boundaries are my own laziness and mentality and I really need to get my arse into gear.

I was where you are now. Overweight, unhealthy and inactive. I started c25k, hated it, but persevered. Somewhere along the way I started loving it and now I run a lot. I lost a lot of weight, my mental and physical health is the best it's ever been, and I've somehow become someone who runs up hills for fun.... this from someone who would rather wait for the next bus than run to catch one.

In the kindest possible way, I think your mindset is the issue here. You say you hate running, HIIT-type stuff and cycling, but have you ever properly tried to keep going with them? I mean properly, not just 10 mins and then stop because its awful? Really persevered, over a period of months?

The trick with exercise is to find something you love doing, but you seem to have pretty much written lots of things off before giving them a go. It's only when you get over the "this is hard work and I think I might die" stage of exercise that it starts becoming fun. Nobody loves running whrn they start out. Or cycling. Because they're hard! But exercise becomes tolerable, with perseverance, and then - eventually - fun. It's not easy and it takes a long time, but the benefits are worth it.

Instead of seeing obstacles you need to see opportunities.

Living in a small town with crap parking was probably my biggest fitness kick ever. I walked to do most errands (not ful supermarket shops) because looking for parking was more frustrating/annoying than the exercise was.

Going for a decent walk for "alone time" is a good start, once you're happy walking for 30 minutes then is time to start couch to 5k and mix in some jogging.

I also don't mind feeling like an inept idiot with an exercise video in the privacy of my own living room, curtains shut, every one else out is best. I quite liked the befit 30 day challenge (You Tube), some Joe Wicks too. Variety and boxes to tick suits my personality, see what suits you.

@fellrunner85 my mindset is 100% it. My metabolism etc was great in my 20's, but as I catapult towards my 40s my luck has definitely run out.

DH is very fit and has been doing everything from home since lockdown, seeing him do things I think has given me a little push.

@randomsabreuse I don't mind walking but I just get bored! I have a very low boredom threshold for everything. We started geocaching the other week and walked 5k without even noticing so maybe I'll try to do that a couple of times a week.

Yep, boredom is my issue too. Hence walking to do stuff rather than for the sake of walking.

I find "competitive" sports better than running or cycling as the exercise is incidental to the "tactical" battle. Problem is getting to a level of skill where tactics come into play as opposed to "yay I hit the ball"

I personally like fencing because I am a bit shit at racquet sports, but eg netball (camaraderie, generally pretty friendly) or badminton or tennis might suit you.

I'd also consider a "challenge" where you get a variety of workouts rather than repetitive stuff (30 day shred with 10 days on each level was right at my boredom limit).

Couch to 5k is good as a progressive tick box exercise and has variety within in.

I've started to see the point of cycling as there's some not too busy scenic routes near me - can deal with cycling as a means of sightseeing rather than exercise!

You can walk and listen to an enticing e-book - a crime thriller or something? Only listen to it while walking.

Also have you tried pilates? It does have a great impact if you stick with it.

But if you want to lose weight most of it is diet anyway.

Honestly I started with walking a couple of bus stops rather than hanging about waiting for a bus. That then became walking to work and gym 3 times a week for half hour.

I now walk both ways to work (4miles each way) and go gym 5/6 times a week for at least 1hour 15 mins. I invested in headphones and find once in the gym I can check out of life.

The only exercise i've actually enjoyed in the last 10 years has been Spin classes - you can be doing whatever you like on the bike, no one can really see what you're doing, the music is great, and the its varied. now looks like we're headed back to a lockdown where exercise classes won't be allowed so i've ordered myself a spin bike for home so i can join virtual classes

I read recently that even people that run a lot don’t enjoy it. They enjoy having done it. (Same with other exercise.)

I’m trying to find something short, effective and convenient so I have fewer excuses. So far I’m doing Joe Wick every day but I choose the 20 minute workouts otherwise I want to die with boredom. I put my own music on which helps.

I am considering writing a list of moves out and doing them in front is a tv programme.

I have just got home with a second hand exercise bike. It's a start! I figure I can just jump on it in my PJs and out something on the iPad.

Lockdown really hasn't helped me. I'd easily do 15,000 steps a day, if not more, just going to the station and walking about.

Greyish Days - I run quite a lot, some weeks more than others and I nearly always enjoy it when I’m out! (As well as after!) Sometimes I run with a friend, which is a great chance to catch up, and sometimes I listen to music. My Spotify account is well worth it for that. I have over 100 of my favourite songs on it that I listen to in random order and it makes getting out something I look forward to. Running really has made such a difference to me, mentally more than outwardly physically, and I genuinely love it now (and it saved me in lockdown!).

I think the trick is to get yourself comfortable running (slowly counts and so does mixing it up with walking) so that it doesn’t hurt anymore, and for that C25K really works.

I know running isn’t for everyone, but I really do think it’s worth giving it a fair chance!

Sorry - I got distracted and missed your update OP. A spin bike sounds like a good plan! Good luck and I hope you find something you love!

I hated PE at school and was very unfit for years. I’ve only really started getting into exercise in the last few years (kids got a bit bigger and it was easier to leave the house, and it seemed like a valid reason to get out when “going shopping with a friend” didn’t quite cut it!). However, it really has made such a difference to me. I’ve not lost a lot of weight, but I’ve not needed to diet either (and I’ve wanted to eat a healthier diet without feeling like I was denying myself “treats”), and I’m more physically confident than I ever was when I was slim but flabby in my 20s.

If you get bored walking, why not listen to a audiobooks or poscasts or music while you walk?

I hate running. I don’t enjoy any exercise really, but can tolerate

• cross trainer at the gym (watching stuff on iPad)
• Jillian Michaels DVDs - they’re only about 25 mins including warm up and cool down so they’re torture but over and done with quickly. Also you see a difference really quickly.
• body pump classes at the gym - I actually quite enjoy these.

Another to say couch to 5k! I know you hate running but it really does ease you in, sort of tricks you into doing it very slowly, it's so clever. I started it in June and now I run between 4-5k every other day, ten mins into my run I just get this amazing high and I absolutely love it, its keeping me sane right now.
Other than that op, try fast walking. You need no equipment, and just 20 mins a day will make a difference. Walk fast so that you can feel your heart rate increase, it's doable for any level of fitness.

I find the boredom sets in when I'm just doing the same kinds of exercise. So I don't, I mix it up. Did C25k with DS13 over the summer, and now we try to run 5k twice a week, I see a PT fortnightly, I try to do a yoga class weekly, I walk with friends regularly. I've got an Apple Watch which nudges me to keep moving, I got it through my work health insurance, which also encourages activity. So during lockdown, it provided a120 days free trial of the Peloton app, which was really good. Now you've got a spinning bike, might be worth taking a look, I think you can get 30 day free trials, and then it's .?12.99 a month, so not crazy expensive, and gives access to tonnes of spinning, running, strength, yoga etc workouts, which are quite fun really.

I am similar in that I get easily bored and then give up. I tried for many years to be a runner but even while reasonably fit i'd find it really hard to do much more than a couple of miles because I just couldn't get into the mindset of running for an hour without thinking of all the other things I should be doing etc.
Recently I started doing youtube videos usually either HIIT or pilates, I choose the 10-20 minutes ones and try to do 2-3 each time. I find the variety keeps me interested. I will say though that for the first few weeks I still hated it and had to really force myself into doing it. Now my fitness has improved and I no longer fear I might die 30 seconds in I find it much more enjoyable.

I made it to 20 minutes on the bike on Tuesday 😂 have been at work yesterday and today and clocked up 10,000 steps yesterday, hopefully the same today and tomorrow. Going out for brunch on Saturday so will make sure I blast the bike in the morning!