What do you enjoy about exercise

[iwantsunshine1]

I haven't exercised in years (bar walking) but I need to start and get healthy. As I don't enjoy it I find it such a chore and lack motivation. I have 2 young children so if I get time to myself I normally just want to relax and watch Netflix. What do you enjoy about exercise? How do you motivate yourself?

How it makes me feel and how much better I look.

There's some amazing videos of some older ladies who start light exercise and the before and after is astonishing.

There are 24 hours in a day....even 15 mins most days will make a difference. Future you will thank you.

Good luck!

No I don't get endorphins after exercising either. Mines more like a I'm fucked feeling. Same with walking it does fuck all for my mental health. Makes my legs ache like buggery, gives me a massive stitch in my side and for some strange reason makes my nose burn like mad inside. I do occasionally enjoy swimming. Although that feeling soon disappears once I get out and I'm cold and I have to spend ages trying to shove my bra back on

I go to a gym and do a circuits/weights class as I find if I've paid for it and it's in the diary I'll do it - 3 times a week. The benefits have been huge - I'm stronger, fitter and weigh less.

My husband has a 20 minute workout he found online that he does every morning - for about 3 years now, he just gets up, makes me a cup of tea, and then does the work out.

We also do walking at the weekends and most evenings with the dog.

It's less about enjoying the exercise
But I do enjoy the after effects - if I can't exercise my mood deteriorates , my weight increases, I find normal things like running for a bus harder , less energy , more likely to hurt myself

So it's something I do because it's like cooking dinner or doing the laundry - necessary , like the end result even if I dislike the process

There will always be some folks who enjoy exercise, but I'm not one. I used to love dancing and walking a lot but had become sedentry and my dancings days are more than a decade ago now. For motivation, can you shift the focus? Instead of "Do I feel like going to the gym?", I think about how much I appreciate the muscles I'm building, the fat loss, and that I am proactively responding to my recent CHD diagnosis. So rather than thinking about whether it's fun, I feel stronger and healthier. I also get a sense of pride afterward for having made a good choice. These are my motivators.

The flip side of this is that I also tried out a lot of different things before findinging the current best fit. I didn't force myself to keep on with things that I just really didn't like at the start.

Good luck OP!

I've just got home from the gym and enjoying my lovely porridge and fruit with a pot of proper coffee, such a treat.

I absolutely love how, when I'm exercising and eating well (note: by this I mean I enjoy food and try to get a mindful balance of eating for fuel and pleasure) and not sabotaging my efforts by eating too much crap/UPF (let's be honest people, that Mr Kipling cake hits the spot for a minute or two but that's it. It's a short term hit) I like an and feel really strong. There was a thread a short while back where a poster referred to her "lovely muscles " and people absolutely tore into her but I looked at my arms in the gym mirror today and thought "yup - arm muscles looking lovely " because they bloody did. I'd upped my weights and now feel awesome.

I was doing yoga in the from room last night and DD 15 said "Mum, you've got such lovely toned legs" and I was so chuffed. Once upon a time I had very slim legs (gonna sound big headed but they were quite amazing) however age and not fine to exercise at the rate I used to means they aren't skinny any more however provided I keep the food/exercise balance they may be bigger but they are strong

So yea - for me it's feeling strong which = confidence especially as in ageing and my body changes. Exercise allows me to keep it looking it's best. Oh, and for us ladies it's highly important to stay strong to protect our bones in a fall as we age. And to work on our balance too.

Also ..

While you may hate the idea of exercise before you do it you never, ever regret it once you've done it

Bloody love a Tunnocks Teacake

It’s about finding something you like and can commit to. Doesn’t matter what it is, just move.

I’m a nurse practitioner and can see in my older patients who was active, and who wasn’t. I’m seriously concerned at the amount of young obese and unfit people I see regularly. Their old age is not going to be pleasant.

I love running and lifting weights so I mix up the gym with outdoor running. I’m short, a bit chubby and not very fast but I’m strong and fit. I’m now looking at functional fitness as I get older - in the future I want to be able to put my socks on myself, climb stairs easily, get out of a chair without help. I’m less bothered about looking thinner (but I would like to lose a stone, thanks menopause) and more bothered about being strong and toned.

Personally I can’t bear home workouts but they’re better than nothing. I like a bit of yoga which I do at home with Kassandra. I only swim on holiday as I hate the changing rooms lol so it’s about finding what works for you.

Seriously thought, whatever you do make sure you get up and do something regularly.
I was obese and sedentary for decades and now my hip joints are totally f*cked.🙁On the plus side now Ive lost the weight I look super fit and really enjoy being active throughout the day.
On the minus side if I dont move myself Im in pain and I'll probably need a hip replacement by 60!

There was a thread a short while back where a poster referred to her "lovely muscles " and people absolutely tore into her but I looked at my arms in the gym mirror today and thought "yup - arm muscles looking lovely " because they bloody did. I'd upped my weights and now feel awesome

That would have been me, @tellmewhenthespaceshiplandscoz ...

Thanks to my 'lovely muscles (thanks Caroline!) I look toned and I can wear sleeveless dresses and ski for 6 hours. At age 70.

Exercise, both cardio/HIIT and resistance/weights, is so totally worth it.

Was your hip irreparably damaged from the obesity/sedentary period? Despite you being fitter now?

I am quite obese and sedentary and quite recently my hips and back have been hurting.

Panini you rock and ignore any jealous types who say otherwise.

So sorry I misspelt your username

That's really inspiring! I would love to be where you are one day x

Would second here it's how I feel afterwards - more motivated, positive, clearer headed , a sense of wellbeing and achievement that lasts a few days. Good to remind myself that's why I'm doing it -because of wellbeing, and how it makes me feel - not how I look..

My mood and the way it makes my body look

Interested to see answers to this question. I don't enjoy exercise, I do it to be healthy, but I don't feel rewarded by it. It's a chore that just needs to be done just like folding laundry.

The freedom of cycling, route planning, socialising with the club while cycling, the headspace cycling gives me while commuting, seeing my fitness rating on strava increase, the endorphins which keep me happy during stressful periods.

I set up my equipment and clothes the night before so getting going requires little thought.

I love running and am gutted I can only go twice a week, would go more if I could!

Me time

How I feel during / afterwards

Health benefits

Helps me maintain my weight

Get to enjoy the local area

When I train for a half marathon it gives me a goal, something to work towards

Setting a good example to my kids

Its free

Loads more!

Second this - Heather Robertson is awesome. Also try Joe Wicks - he has an app but has plenty of free content on YouTube. 20 minutes is all you need.

I love running, I love the feeling of getting fitter, feeling the sun on my face, or rain, the confidence and feeling of well being it gives me, the friends I’ve made through it and the chats and fun on trips away, or Sunday long runs, the goals in terms of distance and pace, racing and beating my times. I also love how it motivates me to eat healthy and helps me stay a size 10.
I also enjoy cycling, going further and exploring new areas, new coffee stops.
I get less joy from weights, but do them for even 15 minutes 3 times a week as I want to be strong and able to run when I’m 90.

I run 4 or 5 times a week. I would do more, used to run 6 days a week but aging put a stop to that and I’m happier running 4 days a week than not running at all. I walk lots the other days.

There's a lady at parkrun who totally inspires me. She took up running in her 70s and is now in the 70-74 age group. It's a gentle jog these days but her goal is to maintain her age grading as above average.

The structure of the course gives us a few chances to wave at each other. We then volunteer together at juniors on Sundays.

I'll be so pleased if I'm still jogging in 30 years.

I always found exercise a chore but realised I needed to start moving if I wanted to age well.

I started with doing just 10 minutes of yoga or pilate or stretching to YouTube videos.
Just put 10 minute yoga or whatever into the search and lots will come up. Just do what you can; its about establishing the habit and noticing you feel that little bit better after exercising. Try it.