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Exercise

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What if you just don't like strength training??

81 replies

SilkieChick · 16/01/2025 10:09

I’m 47, fairly fit, eat well and aware of how important they say strength training is at this age and stage of life, so I’m making an effort to introduce this to my usual weekly exercise of walking/gardening/yoga.

Tried out Caroline Girvin’s work out for the first time two days ago and my lower body is still aching. I’m going to try and persist and try some of the other workouts, upper body core et cetera, but this is not my usual kind of exercise and I don’t love it. I’ve never been a gym bunny, I don’t love boring, repetitive lifts and I really don’t like that my body is aching so much that I’m not enjoying other forms of exercise/hobbies as much - like gardening which I do regularly and I need my muscles to work so I can bend/lift etc!

So my questions are:

Will it get better?
If so - when??
Are there other forms of exercise I could do (or I’m already doing) which have the same benefits?

Surely if I’m walking pretty much every day with additional sessions of yoga and some physical gardening on top of that that’s enough to keep me fit and healthy both physically and mentally?

I firmly believe you should enjoy exercise and find a form that is that works for you because it makes you feel better, and then you’ll want to keep doing it. I know it’s still very early days but I definitely don’t feel better after doing a strength workout - I feel worse, and older!

I really enjoy walking, yoga, gardening, even running (when I've got my mojo back) and so I’m also not prepared to give up one of these for a super intense workout which makes me feel old and creaky every time at the end of it.

Convince me that this is important and I need to persist, or reassure me that I'm already doing enough to survive midlife/menopause!

OP posts:
CeceliaImrie · 21/01/2025 16:23

I could've written a similar post. Watching with interest.

Fullofthejoysofspring · 21/01/2025 19:57

Thanks to whoever recommended Apple Fitness + - there's so much in there!

bathroomadviceneeded · 21/01/2025 20:05

I LOATHE it, but I do it because of the important health benefits. I’ve been motivated by listening to Dr Mike Israetel (I think that’s his name?) who is an exercise science professor and has a lot on YouTube about women and lifting.

But seriously OP, I really hate it. I only two 2 lifting sessions per week in our basement gym with my DH. He set up a tv down there for us, so we watch a show which helps pass the time between sets.

Not much help with my comment here, just solidarity with your lack of love of weights!

Scarydinosaurs · 21/01/2025 22:23

Fullofthejoysofspring · 21/01/2025 19:57

Thanks to whoever recommended Apple Fitness + - there's so much in there!

oh brilliant! I really love it.

The range of length exercises are perfect for me.

Eldermillenialyogi · 21/01/2025 22:24

This is me OP

i don't mind exercise but can't stand doing weights

Mrsbloggz · 22/01/2025 12:03

I've always been very into lifting but I understand why some people find it boring!

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