How do I enjoy exercise?

For me it totally changed when I found the exercise I love. I'm excited every time, happily get up early to train, I would never skip a session. I'm not like that with other forms of exercise. And it wasn't something I had to make happen, it just happened right from the start. So my suggestion is to find that thing.
A lot of people talk about consistency rather than motivation as you can't rely on the latter. For me I'm still motivated every time (it's been over a year) but I guess consistency helps as it's just part of life now, not going would be really odd.

Have you thought about what it is about cycling that you enjoy?

Would you use a Peloton? I think there are ways to hire one, short-term, to try out.

I think doing it with a friend, or having a Pt to talk to. Having music on you like. Not expecting to enjoy it every time but just make it a part of your routine that you don't even think about it.

Making it social helps me - walking with friends, or going to classes with friends. 2 friends and I did some training for a mini triathlon, which was a good excuse to meet up. I have also tried to reframe my thinking around exercise - instead of it being another chore that I have to do, I try to think of it as something I'm lucky to do - am healthy enough, fit enough, have the necessary means etc. A bit of gratitude goes a very long way.

The only exercise I really enjoy is cycling long distance, but I cant do enough of that with work, family etc.

How far is long distance, how fast, do you even have a decent bicycle? Who do you cycle with?

I get a lot of exercise but I'd find gym going soul destroying. Classes are loud or dull for most part, I find. Swimming is dull but it's good for overweight joints, do you swim?

You need to stop putting up barriers and get on with it.

It's painfully easy in your case as you already have something you like - cycling.

You just need to plan and plot. Look at your week ahead and decide which ways you will ride and plan accordingly. Either get up early or go out later in the evening... work from home - at dinner?

Clearly if you have the kind of lifestyle you can fit gym in (this is what you seem to say), sod that, go for a ride! I assume you'd be in the gym an hour, add in travel time and shower and changing. That gives you a 2 hour ride.

Fit cycling into daily life. If you work, start occasional cycle commuting. I've no idea what your family looks like - as in how many kids and ages. But if possible get them in on it. I just have one, now 6. He came on many of my cycling adventures from 4 months in a trailer. He's been cycling himself since 2.5. I'd run - he cycled (I would push with a stick - not ideal but needs must). I used a kids ride shotgun seat for him too. Have also got a Followme tandem and towwhee rope.

I work full time - mainly from home. I have a turbo trainer setup in my study. I can actually do some of my job from it. Otherwise I might start work earlier, before the rest of the household is up, then do a few hours on the turbo in working hours. That's more of a winter/ wet weather thing though.

I average about 10 hours cycling a week. Admittedly I do race (very amateur) so motivated to keep at it. But I've been doing it so long, it's a way of life.

Pick yourself an event - sportive maybe. Enter it. Get yourself fit for it. It'll give you something to aim for.

I only suffer with dips in motivation when there's not something specific I'm aiming for. My goals previously have been as simple as this year I will ride 500 hours.

Get peddling!

Are you trying to exercise at the right time of day for you? I’m fine in the morning but any time after 5pm, forget it - I’m too tired, struggle with when to eat dinner and just generally too busy, even if it’s an exercise I enjoy!

I should also add... I swap disciplines around. Some days the thought of doing efforts on the road depresses me and I just can't motivate myself. I'll go out mountain biking instead. Today I was supposed to go for a road ride, but couldn't face it. So I'm sat on the turbo riding up a virtual alpine Col, catching up on the Giro on the telly, mumsnetting and listening to my face tunes. Bliss!

I agree with this.

A few months ago I started Reformer Pilates classes and now I love going, it's quite addictive. And I'm someone who hates the gym generally, but these classes are different, I just love them (not every minute of it obviously), but I do enjoy them, the instructors are great, I'm getting stronger and I generally feel amazing afterwards. I have finally found my thing.
So much so that I have a slight neck injury and may not be able to go to my class tomorrow and I'm a bit gutted, as I was looking forward to it.

Just keep trying until you find something you love - maybe switch it up and do a dance class, or zumba or something different than a normal gym class.

I took up martial arts 4 years ago. The first 2 years I was overweight just kind of going through the motions. Went once or twice a week but didn’t put much effort in. But I stuck with it cause my kids did it too and I wanted them to stick with it. But about 2 years ago as I was approaching black belt I thought crap if I’m actually going to be a black belt in this I better start to take it serious. So I started training more seriously and eventually enjoyed it more, and become more part of the community. I like going 4 times a week but I limit myself to 3 now so that I have some time at home. I just started jogging with my son too, I hate jogging but I figure I’m 40 now if I want to get fit in my life it’s now or never. We have been going for a jog 3 times a week (only just started week 3). I think being a good role model for the kids is my motivation at this point.

I took up exercise some years ago and worked out regularly with a PT and became very fit and slim - could run 10k easily, went to the gym most days, was one of the fittest in the classes etc.

I would say it took me about a year to get to the point where I absolutely loved exercise and did it because I wanted to rather than because I felt I had to.

However I stopped exercising due to a routine change and illness, gained a lot of weight and I'm now back to square one where I'd rather stick pins in my eyes than go to the gym.

But I remember the endorphin rush I used to get from running and pushing myself in a HIIT class, it was like an orgasm!

OP you could also just work on accepting that it's something you are never going to really love, but it benefits you and that's enough - and try to be ok with that.
I know it's annoying but I think there's this idea that people who are super fit and healthy have some special ability to love exercise, but most of them just like the benefits of it and do it because of that.

There's lots of things we do in life that we don't enjoy in the moment, but want the end result, so this could be like that for you if that works.

I think its a myth that you have to love exercise. Some people just don't. They never get that endorphin rush that others get. It may be more practical to just set your mind to it - that you are doing this for your health and your future. Try to find something you don't hate as much. For me its lifting weights at home. I could very easily talk myself out of it each time, but I know as soon as I put my T-shirt on and get started, I do actually quite like it.

Set out a schedule - say 3 times a week and start small. You aren't competing against anyone. You are just aiming for progression. Eventually it will become a habit and that might be as good as you can get.

@BrandNewBicep what kind of equipment do you have? Did you go to a gym to learn what to do?

OP, I'm the same as you! DH says that I clearly don't try enough as he always seems to get the rush. I don't enjoy any kind of exercise 😂

I don't always love it when l'm doing it but love the feeling afterwards of feeling stronger, more active and actually younger. So it's the rewards that motivate me. Also my dc are older and impressed with me exercising so helps too. I have found circuit training the best as you are constantly moving on as l get bored just doing the one thing. Also some exercise like walking l love as it's fresh air and nature and l don't actually think: l am exercising. Its just an excuse to be outside. I am sure cycling is like that for you. If you managed a long cycle Saturday and Sunday could you just cycle around the place on errands/ work the other days?

I have a peloton and one of the instructors said 20% of the time she loves it, 10% she hates it and the rest of the time it's like cleaning your teeth, you just do it
I tend to go with starting exercise and then if I am hating it 10 mins in I'll stop, but I've only done that once (wasn't feeling well)

So it's more routine than anything

RequiresUpdating I bought dumbells from Argos - starting with one and a half
kilos and am now on 6kg (just about). I have been working out since March last year and I feel my progress is slower than other people, but I don't care.

I started with PopSugarFitness on YT and then went to Caroline Girvan on YT who I really like. She has brought out an app which you pay for, but she has a beginners course which is mean to be really good. That might be a good place to start if you aren't feeling confident.

I was told to try and trick your brain. So just tell yourself all of the time how amazing your doing (not out loud, you'll look like a nob, just think it), how you're really enjoying it etc etc and eventually your brain starts to believe it.

If you like cycling, might you enjoy running? Once you can run a reasonable distance it can have the same feeling of 'freedom' as cycling. Treadmills are unpleasant in comparison to being out in the fresh air. Plus it doesn't take up much time. Music or podcasts are a good distraction

I absolutely loathe, detest and hate the gym. All that smell and noise and other people. Ugh. If I want to see other people it’s anywhere but in their sweaty gym clothes. The swinging ponytail women. The performative exhaling men. Just no.

I bought a peloton second hand in lockdown and have exercised every week (not every day, I’m not that keen!) since. I love it. Spinning, yoga, weights, stretch, personalised and to a very high standard. And I’m on it rain or shine obviously. If you’ve got the space, even in a garage, try it.

Why don’t you cycle short distances more frequently? Ask on your local area Facebook group if there are any ‘easy’ cycling groups around. Or start a group yourself. At this time of year groups will often go out for a super work day evening ride.

The social pressure of having committed to meet others will push you to go an if you like an exercise you will keep going.

I just couldn't cope with the gym. All those people who haven't avoided it for 30 years, making me feel useless.

Instead I took up running. I was hopeless at first but stuck at it. If I ran further than last time, that was success for me, even if t was only to the next gatepost. It took me a while to get to 5k, did a couple of Race for Life, then joined Parkrun. Now I run two 5k a week and exercise in private when I wish. I compete against my own time which is where the satisfaction comes in.

Mmmm, I think you are doing the right thing tbh - a range of classes and sticking at them. That seems the easiest way to see results and perhaps start enjoying it more, or find something you really love, while you lack your oomph.

5 or 6 HIT-type (I'm including spin and combat) classes a week seems a lot to me, if you are pushing yourself. Do you feel tired in between, and is that allowing you enough recovery? Do you mostly start the classes feeling ready, and with some energy? Could you swap one or two of them for a cycle you really enjoy (I realise leisure cycling won't be as intense exercise but would mix it up), or a brisk walk or slow run, or Pilates if your gym does that?

I used to do more HIT and though I enjoyed it, it does take it out of you. I've cut back and enjoy both the bits i do do and everything else (I mainly strength train) more. I also found evening HIT classes are not good for sleep, for me, which didn't help.

You are doing the right thing for your health but perhaps take it down a notch, see how that goes?