Help me not hate exercise. vent

amother

OP ↓

Yesterday at 11:41 pm

I need to lose quite a bit of weight for health reasons. It would also definitely help my self esteem. But I just hate exercise. Every kind. I can't stick to a routine, I hate how it makes me aware of my bigger body, I hate feeling weak and out of breath, I can't "make time" for it because I hate it so much. I know that I sound whiny and lazy but it's how I feel. This is how it's been my whole life, even before I was so overweight. When I was in elementary-high school I took dance classes and I loved that, but where I live there aren't any frum or women only classes. I've tried so many things, running walking, weights, yoga, etc. I don't know what to do.

joker

Yesterday at 11:43 pm

In terms of losing weight most people say it's about what you eat not exercise. When I need to lose weight I focus all my energy on that . Once I have that where I want it I start to add in exercise thats manageable for me. I also hate exercise. I find listening to music on earpods is the only manageable way for me. Good luck !

amother

Jasmine

Today at 12:02 am

Try not to think of it as something you’re supposed to like. Think of it as something you have to do, like it or not. Like showering or washing dishes or carpool. It’s an annoying thing that has to get done. You’re not a bad person for not liking it.

amother

Oatmeal

Today at 12:11 am

Excersize is a bad way to lose weight. But a great way to stay healthy.
You can't outrun your fork. So if it's weight loss you need, change your way of eating.
As for exercise, walking can be a great start. Just moving is good.

amother

Hotpink

Today at 12:11 am

You're not alone:)

Try to find something you enjoy most (best of the worst?) And stick with that without the pressure of thinking that you have to do a certain type of workout.
Do you enjoy it more on your own or with a partner?
Make it part of a routine and start slow. You don't need to start with every day of the week. Start with twice a week and attach it to a habit, something you're already doing. Ex: after you clean up from breakfast you go walking.

amother

White

Today at 12:28 am

I feel you op. I actually don't hate exersizijg as much. But I'm so busy, and I really dislike getting sweaty and working so hard
my neighbor ended up finding a professional instructor. She comes to our basement 2x a week for 45 minutes. If she's in my house I have no choice. Lol.
So she comes 2x a week. We work hard. And then shmooze for 10-15 minutes.
Everyone wins.
Were a group of 5 and split the cost so it's $20 each.
Do you have neighbors you like? Maybe form a group and you get to socialize too.

It's only been 3 weeks and I already see a HUGE difference.
I've also gone low carb and intuitive eating. 4 weeks is that and 7 lbs down bh. .

amother

Hydrangea

Today at 12:34 am

The only thing that that worked for me was to join a class with friends. It was prepaid on a monthly basis so missing a class meant losing money and it became a social outing where I looked fwd to meeting friends.

amother

↑ OP

Today at 12:54 am

amother White wrote:

that's a good idea. I don't think I have anyone I could form a regular group with though

zaq

Today at 9:36 am

You like dancing? Start with that. Put on the music and dance away--in a closet or the bathroom if that's the only place you can have privacy.

Exercise alone is not a good way to lose weight. You need to change your eating as well. Doing both is ideal. Once you start to lose, some of your mental barriers to exercise may be reduced or even vanish.

Physical activity doesn't have to be "exercise." Just start by moving more. Sit less, stand more. Fidget. Stretch. Tap your toes, wiggle your tush, shimmy your hips, shrug your shoulders. This is called Non Exercise Activity and is as effective at burning calories as what we call "exercise." It IS exercise, just informal and unregimented. You do have to remind yourself to do it if you're normally inactive, but difficult it's not.

Work INefficiently: rather than loading all the laundry into a basket and bringing it upstairs, bring it up in dribs and drabs, so you end up taking the stairs three or four times. Play "Fifty-four Pickup"-- scatter a deck of cards on the floor and pick them up one by one, squatting and standing each time. Suck in your gut every time you walk through a doorway. Wear a snug belt to remind yourself. Stand on tiptoe a few times an hour.

ora_43

Today at 9:43 am

Exercise generally sucks. I do it, but I don't like it.

For me what helps the most is doing it with another person. If there's a set place and time and someone waiting for me, it's much much harder to blow it off.

One other thing that helped me was light exercise while working. Eg walking slowly on the treadmill while reading files for work. Or stretching while on the computer at work. That way it's less 'now I'm working out' and more just feels like work, which I'd be doing anyway.

tulip3

Today at 10:25 am

zaq wrote:

Do not suck in your gut.