Overcoming a hatred of exercise....how?

[skinnymom!]

I loathe exercise. I don't know why, I don't mind it once I'm DOING it, but getting ready for it just puts me off Those of you like me, how did you get started? I know once I start and get into a routine it won't be so bad. I gave myself the first week of Induction to get geared up, because I knew my energy levels would drop at first (and boy did they ever) but my energy is back now and the week is almost up.

Tell me some exercise success stories so that I jump on that treadmill tomorrow

Oh and I should mention that the first time I did Atkins and lost all my weight, I didn't exercise at all....however that was a couple years and one kid ago so even if the weight can come off without exercise this time, I do need it for toning, I feel flabbalicious!

[marcella]

Re: Overcoming a hatred of exercise....how?

I hate exercise too.


But I do love to take a walk. So I choose that as my way of exercising. We have great places with trails to take a walk in the town that I live in, and they are all within walking distance from my home. So it works perfectly for me.

[Sheepie]

Re: Overcoming a hatred of exercise....how?

I hate to exercise too and I generally won't do it. What I like are pleasant activities. Big difference in my mind. Riding a bike is fun and if I get some exercise doing it that's okay too. Rollerblades are fun. Walks can be fun or even romantic. Raquetball is fun as long as my opponent doesn't try too hard! I've taken a rowing class on a river and I've taken bellydancing lessons (gonna do that again...big fun!) Jumping jacks in the ladies room at work? There's a certain amusement factor in that too! I hate to move my body just to move it. There has to be more to it. It needs to be an activity in order for me to enjoy it and want to continue doing it. I have no interest in doing crunches!!

[lisaj]

Re: Overcoming a hatred of exercise....how?

This is going to sound ridiculus to you but I just kept telling myself " i love to exercise". The power of positive thinking, that which you believe is that which you become theory. It worked for me, I confess daily thoughts that will turn into action. The law of attraction like attracts like. hokey? maybe but anything is worth a try. after you start, I found that the body changes are so desirable you continue, its just starting.

[ValidRouge]

Re: Overcoming a hatred of exercise....how?

I wrote this today in someone's journal:

I *loathed* cardio. I did it because everyone said I had to do it. But the bare minimum. Then I found that I liked how I felt AFTER I did it. But it still took coercion to make me get up and actually DO it. Then I started seeing results, so I did it because I liked the way I felt AFTEr I did it, and the results it got me. So, I started researching ways to make my cardio more efficient...meaning the most result for the least amount of exercise. That's when I found out about HIIT. When you get to a point you can do 20-30 minutes on the ellip, come find me and I'll help you get started with the HIIT. See, I was willing to work hard for a short amount of time. Anyway, now I've caught the exercise bug and I get a high off it. Yesterday I ran at lunch, and in the evening PLUS I worked out with weights....it's SICK! LOL

Here is a link to the thread LAST YEAR after my first six weeks of weight training. The pictures speak for themselves. http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ad.php?t=28045

The person who inspired me the most to exercise was iyamamaschke. Here is a link to her pictures. She is amazing. http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ad.php?t=41220

Today I RUN. I can run for 3 miles straight. I can run 5 miles with short walk breaks. If you'd told me last year before Atkins...or shoot, even when those pictures were taken that I'd be a RUNNER I'd have laughed you right out of here. There have been days, that like my water, I've had to FORCE myself to do it. But soon enough, it becomes a high on its own.

[speedyturtle]

Re: Overcoming a hatred of exercise....how?

Turtles weren't ment to exercise. Its totally against my nature. but I took the 20mins in 24 hours challenge and that got me started. I am now doing the 6 week challenge, having a place to account for what I am doing helps a LOT.

[julirama723]

Re: Overcoming a hatred of exercise....how?

I really like the points marcella and Sheepie brought up--exercise DOESN'T have to be slaving away at the gym. Go for long walks in the evening, ride your bike across town instead of driving, take the stairs instead of the elevator, go out dancing--it's important to get yourself MOVING and doing something you enjoy and something you'll continue to do.

When I first started it wasn't so much an issue of *disliking* exercise, but rather, I was not confident, and I was embarassed about my size. I actually had the thought "I can't let people see me exercise because then they'll KNOW I'm fat and need to lose weight", as if they couldn't SEE the extra 100 pounds I was carrying around! But I bit the bullet, finally started doing it. Now I'm at the point where I LOVE it...I crave it! It is really hard for me to take a day of rest...but I know that I have to.

How is this for a success story: When I started Atkins, I weighed about 265, and had calf and ankle pain because of my weight, at 25 YEARS OLD! I started exercising, mainly walking and trying to run, but it was really hard. But then again, I thought I had to run the WHOLE way or else I couldn't count it as exercise. The idea of doing walking/running intervals didn't even cross my mind. Instead, I focused on the elliptical machine which put less pressure on my joints, and I started going to aerobics classes. I also took water aerobics, which was fun and a totally different way to work out! I started running in January. At first, I couldn't even do 1/10th of a mile without feeling like I was going to throw up. But I kept going, and I didn't give up. NO it wasn't easy, and it really wasn't all that fun...but I knew that if I stuck with it, it WOULD be fun and it would certainly get easier. It was difficult for about 2 months, and then suddenly in March, it got much easier. I began running a couple miles at a time. Then 3. Then I'd beat my 5K time by 2 minutes, then 2 MORE minutes.

It gets better. Last week I ran 20 miles, and the week before, I ran 20 miles. I go for long runs on Sundays, usually ranging from 6-8 miles, and I do "shorter" runs of 4-5 miles during the week, and now I'm starting to do short tempo runs of 2 miles to increase my speed. Last Saturday I did 2 miles in 16 minutes! And guess what? I can honestly say I LOVE RUNNING!!!

It takes a person doing something 21 times before it can become a habit. You might have to force yourself the first 21 times, but I bet that 22nd time will be easier, and the next will be even easier, and before you know it, you'll just DO it. You might even like it.

[MissyMiss]

Re: Overcoming a hatred of exercise....how?

For me it's all about variety..I can do something like jogging for about 3 days before I am sick of it. So I switch to an exercise program on TV, or biking, or walking..

[Babs]

Re: Overcoming a hatred of exercise....how?

Tell me some exercise success stories so that I jump on that treadmill tomorrow

Well, this in not my success story about exercising, but this might help motivate you. It sure motivated me! I was listening to television show called, "The View" today, and something caught my ear. Barbara Walters, who is 74, said she had just returned from a conference on the longevity of living. She said that there are 78,000 people in the USA that are over the age of 100 years old. She learned that the average age of a man's life is 74 and the average age of a women's life is 79. Living until we are 120 years old may be what it's coming to, so we need to keep ourselves healthy. Barbara Walters said she hates to exercise and hates her treadmill, but she is now going to do it all the time. She also said that while she was there, she learned that squats were one of the most important things we all need to do. And that can be by sitting in a chair and standing up and sitting down 20 times non stop. (although to sit and pause between each one.) Try to do 60 squats a day because as we age, this will decrease our chances of falling---we must strengthen our thighs. This got me knowing that I must continue with my walking and treadmill. Hope this helps you see the importance of sticking to Atkins to stay healthy and exercise to stay strong. I know I want to be as fit, strong, and healthy as I can be, and know I have done everything that I possibly can to feel great.

[skinnymom!]

Re: Overcoming a hatred of exercise....how?

THANK YOU GUYS!! Joy you look AMAZING! SUCH a difference!

I used to run track in high school and loved to run, but I think it messed up my knees pretty bad....I'm hoping that as I continue on this WOL my joints will be better. Already I have noticed a lot less "creakiness" so maybe one day I will run again! We have a treadmill and dh has an iPod so that makes it somewhat bearable - you guys are getting me excited to get on it tomorrow and at least make a start!

Where can I join a challenge? I think that would help me hold myself accountable I will also start using positive thinking toward exercise - I am already using it with much success over my cravings i.e. "cookies are gross, chocolate is nasty, who needs cake?" And those squats in the chair sound easy enough to do with three children always asking for something - up down up down

[ValidRouge]

Re: Overcoming a hatred of exercise....how?

Squats are excellent. I love squats. And lunges.

Check out the Exercise Challenges forum. Lots of stuff always going on in there. And if a challenge has already started, that's okay, jump in and finish it off. Don't wait until the next one...start today.

You could actually start right now with the abs challenge. Go do some crunches right now. Go on! We'll wait. LOL

[skinnymom!]

Re: Overcoming a hatred of exercise....how?

LOL! With my water logged bladder I might need Depends to do situps lol! I am doing very well with my water but jeez....I think I'm getting my 10,000 steps a day just walking to and from the bathroom!

But you've challenged me, I WILL do some situps before bed - my abs are in terrible shape.

[MorningGlory]

Re: Overcoming a hatred of exercise....how?

Joining the April Exercise Challenge has motivated me like you wouldn't believe, as has starting to post on this board, instead of just reading, reading, reading and not participating. It makes a difference.

I think finding an activity that YOU like makes a big difference too, and sometimes that means trying a lot of different things. You just need to perservere.

Hope to see you over at the challenges forums!

[Lyssie]

Re: Overcoming a hatred of exercise....how?

I know I'm a little late, but I wanted to join too... I didn't exercise at all the first time I did this. I still lost the weight. At 145lbs, I was wearing 12/14, loose, but still that size. I currently weigh, well, a lot, and wear 12/14. The difference has been exercise.

I *hated* exercising. Hated as in, I would rather go to the dentist (and not just because he gives me gas and I have a nice little nap with amazing dreams while he does his thing) than do anything.

I had umm.. some trauma to my knees from falling (off a balcony), and so they were in pretty bad shape, sciatica from being really overweight, poor leg strength (I couldn't even do *1* lunge properly), and horrid cardiovascular (I also smoked for like, over 10 years though), nevermind the fact, I was weighing (at the time I started exercising) around 280lbs.

Anyway, so I tried the elliptical, but became winded in a very short amount of time, and my legs just *couldn't* do it. I went to the treadmill and started walking, I also started doing weights... the weights at least gave me something to see an improvement on pretty quickly... but as I was doing the treadmill, I was walking pretty comfortably for 30 minutes, so I moved over to the elliptical.... and started out low there, moving up... then I tried to run on the treadmill... I figured, I was doing the elliptical, I should be able to run... well, I got about umm.. 30 seconds. I was still smoking at the time, so I think this was like, August last year... So I went off to do the stairmaster... I quit smoking in September... tried to run again mid-October... I got umm, about 1minute... I went back and alternated between elliptical and stairmaster, working on my cardio... then I started running seriously, umm.. around February (everyone else here was, so I *had* to join)... So, a couple weeks ago, I ran in my first 5k (3.1miles), without walking, stopping, etc. and ended up with a 31:04 time... the other day, I ran 4.8miles (with *some* walking) in about 50 minutes. I *never* thought I would be doing this. I go to the gym *sooo* much now, I go to spin classes, and yoga, and run, and weight classes, and dance, pilates, anything I can try.

Once I had a reason, I could see tangible results, could see an improvement, I started knowing that I *had* to do this. It became such a habit, and I felt (and still feel) such a sense of accomplishment after finishing a really hard class, or running, or lifting more weight than I could before. There's no other way I can describe it. Well, the muscles are pretty nifty too.

[Mickkey]

Re: Overcoming a hatred of exercise....how?

Here's an interesting thought; I read recently that when we stop exercising what we're telling our cells is "go ahead and die off because I won't be using any of you". The message our cells receive when we're using them is "stay alive, work, I need you." That really made me think. As you get older you get stiff when you don't use your muscles, add in the weight of fat hanging off you making it ever more difficult to move, and you've got problems.

Start small, say 15 minutes, with something you might enjoy, and then work up to adding more time when you feel like it. I really believe when you have more energy you will just naturally progress to wanting to do more. Even just cleaning a house uses up calories. Just remember to move more whenever you can. All movement equals exercise as far as I'm concerned. I worked up a sweat tonight vacuuming, dusting, mopping floors. Try just walking around your block a couple times, you don't have to be winded, just be moving.

Also, mind set is everything if you hate exercising.... don't think " I HAVE to do this", think something along the lines of " I WANT to do this to lose quicker." Or whatever does it for you. In other words, whatever self talk will make it easier for you to start. Good Luck.