How do I start exercising if I hate it more than anything?

[ThatPeachSnake]

I really hate it. Like really hate it.

I know I need to but how do I start?

Walking everywhere you can helps

I do that mostly

I find classes and personal training sessions so much better when it comes to motivation. If I just turn up to the gym on my own or try to go for a run inevitably nothing gets done! I really need other people there to push me on

Have you got kids?

If so you can play hide and seek in the woods or any other activity.

Depends what you like to do. I dont like the gym but enjoy classes e.g. body pump, attack, combat, zumba, body balance, LBT, etc

I try to walk at least 10k steps a day! So that helps.

Just think I probably should be doing more…

I should have added, I live in an area of the world that classes/PT’s are outrageously expensive! I probably could stretch to afford, but it’s down to me to self motivate really!

I bought a walking pad/mini treadmill and walk in front of the TV, I now do runs too but main thing for me has been keeping the pressure off. If I do anything that’s like, push yourself etc I just give up.

Is there anything you might enjoy, like tennis, badminton,…? This will give you some exercise but it’s less dull than running, gym workouts if that’s not your thing. I find that games take your mind off the actual physical exercise.

If you've got the space, skipping is brilliant! I move my coffee table out've the way and skip for ten minutes in front of the TV every night. Sometimes I push it to twenty if I'm feeling it.

That and walking, I'm lucky enough that everywhere I need to be is it walking distance.

Having an exercise buddy helps. Knowing someone else is counting on you going helps with accountability and when you’re struggling to get out of the door, knowing someone else is depending on you really helps.

I LOVE tennis - I tried to join a class/club but it was way too expensive here.

Yup. Try engaging your core and squatting when doing any chores eg emptying washing machine.

Run up the stairs.
Do it 5 times. Then 10.

Once you get used to your body being in those positions and getting used to feeling puffed out, sweaty, heart pulsing then look at a class or running a mile or so.

The key is to start, literally baby steps.

I also say to myself “if I do this, I will feel virtuous. If I stay sat on the sofa I’ll just beat myself up all night. Go.”

You never regret doing exercise, you always regret not doing it.

Would you find it easier to do things at home? I do YouTube weights videos (Caroline Girvan is one example) which are generally about 20 mins and fairly easy for me to fit in.

I think it's about finding what would work for you - so an exercise class out of the house at a set time is something I'd hate, but some people find it really motivating and wouldn't want to do something on their own on YouTube. Neither is better, just work better for different people.

I also run - but again I do this on my own, when it suits me. Joining a club, or a team of any kind, wouldn't be what I'd want.

There's so many different types of exercise you try, maybe you don't hate it all. I hate classes, hate cardio type stuff, absolutely love lifting. Before I found lifting I would have thought I hated exercise too. So try different things without assuming you'll hate it and see.

Can you cycle to work?. I’ve been doing it for over 20 years and it keeps me fit enough and has saved me a fortune over the years!

When you're watching something and the adverts come on, use that time to do something. Raise your legs out infront of you in sitting position and open/close or raise/lower each leg alternatively.

While waiting for the kettle to boil, get some squats in.

While waiting for toast to pop up, raise each knee up high and 'march' on the spot.

When sorting socks out to pair them up, lay them all out on the floor so you can see the pairs easily, then stand and bend down per sock to pair them.

Basically, I'm quite lazy and find exercise to be so boring, so I do lots of little, mini exercises while doing the mundane, daily things. I mop my floors regularly but some days I get on all fours and give it a good scrub, just to burn the calories!

You could try a short no equipment routine like . It’s a bit old fashioned but quick and costs nothing. If you can keep it up daily it should make a big difference. Prince Philip apparently did it every day and he was always in pretty good shape.

What is your reason for wanting to exercise? Lots of people lead healthy lives by walking, leading an active life and eating healthily. You don’t necessarily need to be in the gym or doing sport to be healthy.

If weight loss is your goal then you will see far bigger results through changing your eating habits, than by introducing exercise that you will hate doing.

What is it specifically that you don't like, e.g. is it getting sweaty, getting out of breath, feeling sore afterwards, feeling bored doing it? Different sorts of exercise may hit your triggers less, e.g. resistance work mostly doesn't get you as sweaty and out of breath as cardio. Podcasts can help with boredom, and reducing intensity and adding in stretching/foam rolling can reduce post exercise soreness.

If you like tennis then that's a great start, if it's too expensive what about trying another ball sport or seeing if there are cheaper tennis clubs around? It may seem a lot but if you enjoy it and will do it, it's a great investment in your future health and trying other things could be a false economy.

Keeping activity social really helps by creating accountability and making it fun. It can also help to make activity something that you do for a purpose i.e. walking or cycling to the shops and bringing your shopping home.

If you're clocking up 10k steps per day, you're already doing well. Pilates once a week for your joints. Some sort of resistance exercise, start with squats and modified push ups. Gretchen Reynolds book, "the first 20 minutes" is a great read, it explains that benefits plateau after 20 minutes, so no need to feel guilty if you're not training for a triathlon.

I hate exercise too but I have to walk my dog twice a day so that helps.

I also bought a fold up exercise bike which has a shelf for my iPad. It would be a total bore-fest without it but scrolling through sm and watching Netflix series really helps, 20-30 mins a day whizzes by.

And the exercise bike was quite cheap too which was a bonus.

I used to really enjoy climbing, bouldering specifically as you don't need a partner, and it was a lot of mental stimulation and problem solving skills (plus masses of adrenaline as I'm scared of heights!). You can go at your own pace and i found people really friendly at my local walls.

I would still do it now but I've just taken up pilates and I can't afford to do both regularly. Maybe once I'm not paying nursery fees!

@UnaOfStormhold

whenever I have done exercise, I find myself counting down the minutes until I can stop. I hate the feeling of pushing my body and feeling uncomfortable. I hate the gym environment and I’m not 100% sure of myself when I’m running in public.

Could you investigate the cost of badminton, table tennis or squash? Is it possible to hire a tennis court by the hour and rope a friend in to play with? Definitely try to find something you love. It'll make it much easier.