How can I get ‘into’ exercise ?

[GoodnightGrandma]

I’m early 50’s, got a ring of menopause fat around my belly, and I can often feel my heart beating quite fast in bed.
I want to make a change, I want to be one of those people who ‘wants’ to exercise, wants to go out for a brisk walk or go to a spin class for the buzz.
I currently do one class a week which I enjoy, but the whole process of getting there and showering after takes time I’ve not got.
How do I become a person who wants to exercise ?

Hi @CovidPassQuestion Yes, Ringfit is brilliant, I can't praise it enough, especially for beginners to exercise.

There's a video game element where you play through levels. It starts off very simple and slowly builds up in intensity day by day (or level by level). Every day you do some jogging and fast running on the spot, some strength training using the ring (a bit like a Pilates ring apparently), and lots of yoga moves. Over time you customise it more and more to the exercises you like.

If you're not into the game element, there are also mini games and customised workouts where it will guide you through loads of exercises.

Obviously it all depends what you physically put into it. You can "fool" the sensors by waving them around if you want to for example. But I do it with all my might while listening to music, so it's been revolutionary for me 

Oh! And you can put on a sort of help cheat mode (forgotten what it's called) " where it'll do the running for you automatically if you have dodgy knees or something, or let you press a button rather than doing some exercises.

Oh, that sounds great! My DH is housebound atm, and this might help with his wellness- thank you!

Great, hope he likes it!

Also recommend Caroline Girvan. There's a new programme starting on 3 January - come and join us on the thread!

I am into exercise, although sometimes have to force my self to do it. But for me I want to look good, I want to have energy, it really helps my mental health and I want to do as much as I can to stave off infirmity in old age. Once you start looking and feeling good, that itself is addictive and you want to do it more.

I do have a bike and a peloton. I also usually do around 18000 steps a day. And love yoga - I cba to go to a gym, but I will always go to the yoga studio. Yoga is also addictive, not just because you feel good doing it, but because you can see the improvement in your strength, flexibility and tone as you do it more.

and yes re routine. I exercise first thing in the morning before anyone else is up and after work as a way of delineating work and home (I wfh so this became important during lockdown) and both of those times have become a habit now. It feels strange when I don't exercise. Try it for a month and see if it become as habit.

Exercising on your own is hard especially finding the motivation. You need to find friends or join a group. Where I live they run a Saturday morning boot camp in the village park. Bootcamp might put you off but it's basically a small group of people average age 40 to 70s just enjoying the exercise outdoors. Nobody cares what you wear, if you're super fit or not and is very welcoming Is there anything like this near you ?

I have exercised on and off for all of my adult life but it was always a chore and eventually got bored. However, this year I have consistently worked out 5-6 days per week apart from an odd break. As PP said, I just regard it as something that needs to be done, like a little self care.

I do my exercise first thing in the morning at home. I have my kit ready which I put on when I roll out of the bed, go downstairs to drink some water and start. I do weightlifting, Hiit, yoga and exercise bike (not all at the same time!) and the sessions vary from 20 minutes to 40 minutes. I get bored easily and if I'd had to do 1 hour sessions, I would start finding excuses to get out of it. Consistency over perfection.

I do miss the social side of gyms but it's so much more easier just to crack on at home first thing in the morning. No need to get stuff together, get the car out etc. Having to shower at mid-day used to put me off too, I want to shower and get dressed in the morning and be done with it.

If you are not used to working out first thing, start with shorter sessions first. You will soon get used to it and the breakfast afterwards will taste divine.

Some mornings are still hard but I genuinely enjoy my routine now. I'm nearly 50 and it's very rewarding to see how my arms have toned up and overall body shape improved. I don't do the exercise for weight loss at all like I used to in the past.

I also like Caroline Girvan's workouts on Youtube!

Yeah I have learned it’s not that I want to do it and won’t probably feel like doing exercise but I know I need to do it. So I’m not all “yay I’m exercising” just “yay let’s go and get it done”. Afterwards I feel great so I keep doing more. I don’t ever start like yay this is so fun. I have learned that not many people do, but the end feeling is fantastic. Find something you can fit in your life and as Nike famously say or advertise “just do it”.

Oh also I do something 6 out if 7 days a week 7 if I can. As I’m older I think I just have to incorporate it into my life. Days off aren’t needed and that’s what gets me out of the habit and “oh I don’t feel like it”. I do all I can to avoid what I feel like now with exercise. I can think of every excuse there is. So I don’t let myself anymore

I like FitOn (free app) for the incredible variety.

God, I wish I felt great after exercise! I think I’m one of the unlucky minority who don’t get the happy hormones. But this thread has pushed me to get my JM DVDs out again.

I really need to get back into exercise too @GoodnightGrandma - used to be very fit pre-DC, but lack of time, useless DP etc means I now have 2 stone and quite a few inches to lose...

Are there any local groups you could join (even to try once or twice) such as walking, cycling etc? Just to add a social aspect to your exercising! Or depending on finances, joining a nice gym might be an incentive to go more often, if you're looking forward to using the facilities there

I go to a jogging group that has different levels.
There are lot's of YouTube videos if you don't want to or can't get outside. Walking videos such as Lesley Sansone and others. Can just do it in front of the TV.

Here is a simple fitness test exercise you can do at home and will improve how long and healthily you will live
www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/this-anxiety-inducing-fitness-test-purports-to-tell-you-how-long-youll-live-we-investigated/2019/03/18/0a1d06fe-4035-11e9-9361-301ffb5bd5e6_story.html