Need Advice--HATE exercising

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-12-2005
Need Advice--HATE exercising
18
Tue, 04-26-2005 - 8:18pm
Do any of you have any advice for a girl who HATES exercise? I have never in my life been able to stick with any sort of exercise program. I start it, then by one week, I stop. I bought a new exercise DVD-- Pilates Crunch. You can target your areas you want to work and can do a workout in 10 minutes. I thought that it might help if I don't have to spend a lot of time. I tried it tonight and it nearly killed me. My stomach is already sore and its only been about 30 mins since I did it. I got that video because I heard that you get results fast. I would like to know what you guys do to keep on a program, and what videos or exercises you do to get results fast.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-17-2004
Tue, 04-26-2005 - 10:23pm

Well my first advice is DO IT ANYWAY! The more consistent you are with your exercise routine the easier it'll get to keep it up and the more you'll reap the rewards. You'll feel better, have more energy, and you just may come to like it. I used to be that way, I hated to sweat, I hated to work hard, now I LOVE to workout. I don't always feel like it, but I get up and do it anyway and I always feel better afterward.

Second, start slow. Don't just jump into something that you're physically not ready for or you're just going to get discouraged. I'd suggest starting with cardio, maybe just walking for 10 minutes a day for a week, then increase to 15, then 20, etc. The Walk Away The Pounds series by Leslie Sansone are walking videos you can do inside if getting out is difficult for you. They are fun and easy to tailor to your own level of fitness. As for the pilates, it is a great way to tone up and gain strength fairly quickly, but you have to stick to it. Even doing a little bit or modifying moves will get you results as long as you make it a routine.

Third, make it fun. Choose activities that you can turn into something you enjoy, maybe something that gets you out of the house or you can do with friends. Even dancing around your house can get your heart rate up. Try to have a positive attitude about it too, going into it thinking you're going to hate it is only going to make you hate it, kwim?

And last, mix things up. If you get bored with something after a week then have several activities to choose from and change things up. Alternate every day or every week or whatever it takes to keep you interested.

You can do it!! Good luck!!

Amanda

Amanda

mom to Ethan (7), Ryen (6), and Katelyn (2)

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-09-2004
Wed, 04-27-2005 - 12:20am

I hate to exercise too....but when I do, I do Walk Away The Pounds series by Leslie Sansone.

Do know that I got tired of her talking, talking, talking,.....so I turned the sound off the TV and put on some Techno music...with the beat I even turn up the pace...for some odd reason the techno music gives me the umph I need to get it going.

SussieQ

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-01-2003
Wed, 04-27-2005 - 5:03am

I too used to hate excercising, still do sometimes. But the key issue to find an excercise that you really like. Whether it's walking outside or excercising on a stationary bike infront of the TV, or using excercise videos. If you like it, most likely it will be easier to do.
Second, try not to make it boring. If music does it for you, go ahead and turn it up. It is better to distract yourself with music/scenery/tv, rather on just fixing on your watch to see how long you need to go.
Ofcourse the real trick is to start the excercise and not just postpone forever. For me, I just tell myself to start anyway even if i am not in a mood. I tell myself "Just for 2 minutes" and once i start, i just keep going. And even if i just go for 5 minutes or something, it is better than not sticking to your routine. For me, i excercise 2-3 times a week. I decided to aim for a goal i can reach rather than saying 5 times a week and then feel overwhelmed with such a boring task.

Good luck
Mary
247/236/165

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2005
Wed, 04-27-2005 - 5:43am
Hi, I also do the Walk Away the Pounds workouts. I started with the 1 mile and I did that one for 2 weeks before I could move on to the next one. The first one is only 18 min and it is for 1 mile. And now, if I don't exercise daily, I feel that I am missing something. You might want to start out with something a little easier than pilates too. I just started pilates, and it's hard. I also write down every time I exercise. Good Luck, it does get easier. Karen 238/222/145
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 04-27-2005 - 9:34am

You know what, hon, I was just like you. I HATED exercise with a capital H. I couldn't stick to a program to save my life. And then my husband bought me an exercise bike. I love it. LOVE it. I even got on a regular bike and rode around the neighborhood with my son yesterday evening. Lord, I had so much fun I'm doing it again tonight (on top of doing a half hour on my exercise bike). So I think part of it is to find something you like to do. I've always like riding a bike, even when I was little.

But I've also noticed that the more I exercise, the better I feel and the more I *want* to do it. About the first two weeks after I got my exercise bike (up until that point I'd mainly been concentrating on food), though, I had to force myself to get on it every day. Every session left me exhausted after barely 15 minutes and getting back on the next day was hard. But after a while, I started to notice that I going the full 30 minutes wasn't as hard, that I was actually *energized* after a workout, and that on the days I skipped exercise...I felt cruddy.

Anyway, that's what works for me. Most of the time. LOL

Good luck!

 

 

Avatar for brens2boys
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
Wed, 04-27-2005 - 10:05am

I'm with you...I hate exercising with a passion,but ya know what? I do it anyways.I come here and to a few other boards to get me motivated,and to remind myself that I will not get healthy and lose weight without exercising....and I just do it.I'm thinking that I'll probably never enjoy it,but I've finally just decided that if I want to feel and look better,it's got to be done.

I know it's not really advice,but it's the truth.It shows on the scale and it's showing in inches I'm losing.For myself,I try and get it done and over with early in the day,that way I'm not dreading it because then I just wont do it.

Good luck!Know you're not alone in your hatred for exercise ;o)

Bren

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-17-2004
Wed, 04-27-2005 - 1:25pm

Add me to the list of exercise haters.

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Fear

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2004
Wed, 04-27-2005 - 2:09pm

I HATE EXERCISE!!!!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 02-22-2005
Wed, 04-27-2005 - 2:42pm
I agree that breaking down the exercise to short minutes to get started is good. Somedays it is the boost I need to get going. I also think a set time of day helps and to give yourself scheduled time off during the week. For now I'm into walking but will change it when I get bored. Good luck! LK
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-04-2003
Thu, 04-28-2005 - 5:04am

Everyone has given you some great tips so far!

 

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