Talk me into exercising!

[CaseyB]

Okay. I hate exercising. I hate sweating, and I get bored. And don't encourage me to find something I like, because I don't like any of it. I'm not being contradictory, I'm just trying to give you guys an idea of how much I hate working out.

But I was thinking that if I've lost 33 pounds without exercising at all, how much would I lose if I got moving? So last night I wiped the layers of dust off my gym card, and hit the treadmill. I walked a brisk pace for 35 minutes. I can't say I enjoyed myself, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it might be (I know you don't have to go to a gym to exercise, but as I hate sweating, I really prefer to have air conditioning!).

So, can you guys help me to get myself motivated? Does it really make a difference?? Talk to me, people!

[imagood1]

Re: Talk me into exercising!

I didn't do anything other than mow the lawm once a week in the summer before I started Atkins.

After I started I got on my stationary bike - I ride 25 miles at a time now (every other day). I have a big selection of exercise video's to choose from, I walk the dog and go for walks alone (so I can walk faster).

What gets me motivated is I feel great when I finish -- we can't make you exercise - you have to find your own motivation to do it.

Good luck.

[Jarrod]

Re: Talk me into exercising!

Yes, it makes a huge difference. Exercising regularly not only burns the extra calories while you are exercising, but also raises your baseline metabolism for a short while after you have stopped exercising. This "bonus" effect is greater the longer and more strenuous the workout.

Also, as you increase your muscle mass due to your exercise regimen, your body will burn more calories to support the added muscle.

I like to exercise in front of the TV to keep myself from getting bored with it.

[JulieB]

Re: Talk me into exercising!

I also hate to exersize, and hate to sweat. I hate to diet too (well, I used to) I find I prefer weight lifting to cardio, but force myself to do cardio every second day...the weightlifting days feel like 'cheating' in comparison to cardio days... For cardio, I either ride the stationary bike in front of the TV (my "usual" cardio), or do something fun, like kayaking, or walking my dogs (extra).

Does it make a difference? 50 pounds in 4 months, 5" off my waist, 4.5" off each thigh and 2" off each upper arm say "YES"!

[yanto]

Re: Talk me into exercising!

I would say go walking. Nice countrside is preferable but if there is non nearby walk anywhere. Take time to look at the world around you. Take an interest in it. Interact with it. I find gyms and most indoor stuff oppresive and boring. You don't need to sweat or pay money. Walking is the answer to pretty much everything.

[CaseyB]

Re: Talk me into exercising!

Okay, I went to the gym again tonight. Hated it, but I went.

[mission to lose]

Re: Talk me into exercising!

Hey Casey,
If you are already a gym member, you are one step ahead of the game. You can take advantage of so many things there. NO ONE hates exercise and sweating more than I do. BUT, guess what? SAturday I joined a club, and I have gone every day and worked on the ellyptical, and then I have taken a total body conditioning class, a belly dancing class, (wow talk about using muscles) ---you are working out and don't even notice because it was so fun. Monday was a Bollywood class. Tomorrow Zumba class. Thursday I haven't picked one yet, and Friday Gentle Yoga for 50+. After the classes I felt sore but great!
Casey, if you get bored...do you have an IPOD? If so, put some new songs on it to listen to.

All of a sudden I don't mind Sweating and I am enjoying exercise for the first time because I use the equipment AND take the classes they offer.

Good luck!
~Mary

[AussiePK]

Re: Talk me into exercising!

Hi there,

I am strange cause I love excersize, sweating and really going hard. I had done this for 20 years but with a bad diet and put on 20 kg/44lb over that 20 year period, so diet is MOST important.

But I excersize now having lost 12 kg/26 lb with much more enjoyment. Also, excersize does not mean sweating, take a nice slow stroll for 10 minutes then build it up by 5 minutes a day till you are walking 45 minutes. You will feel so much better and it WILL help you lose 'more' weight quicker, I know from experience.

Good Luck

Paul, 44 years

97kg/85/77
213lb/187/169

This has been achieved over 2 months on Atkins with my goal weight the same as I
was when 17 years old. Good luck!!

[Amber_Girl79]

Re: Talk me into exercising!

YES! Big difference!!! I don't remember who said it before, but it goes "Do atkins, look good with clothes on, do atkins with exercise... and look good naked".

Cellulite will melt away and the loose skin shrinks up. You will be thin and smooth. Dosnt that sound lovely?

[yanto]

Re: Talk me into exercising!

Okay, I went to the gym again tonight. Hated it, but I went.

Well done for getting to the gym. . How did you get there?

[Mick2360]

Re: Talk me into exercising!

Getting started is hard but pays off immediately. Get going!

[dthomps]

Re: Talk me into exercising!

I also get bored exercising, but I have found a few things to get me through.

1. The obvious -- find something you like. I love aerobics, but it's very hard on my arthritic knees so I can't do it as often as I like and classes are at specific times that I can't always make. So...

2. Get yourself an mp3 player. Load it up with tunes you like or I am a news radio junkie. You can download news podcasts and probably TV shows or whatever floats your boat. And when all else fails...

3. I have a few friends that will almost always agree to go on a long walk or to water aerobics when the weather is nice.

Good luck. You can do it!

[EmDee]

Re: Talk me into exercising!

LIke yanto, I think walking outside is the best! I do it first thing in the morning...roll out of bed and into my exercise clothes...I am outside before I even realize it (I don't stop long enough to think of an excuse why not to go, LOL). I have a treadmill for the rainy days (and the return of the snow, sigh, soon). But I would rather be outside looking at the flowers and feeling the breeze on my face.

And you have to have tunes to help you keep up the pace! Load up that ipod (you can get a little tiny shuffle for <$50 which is perfect for exercising).

Doesn't matter if you "like" it, LOL, just do it.

[cherribom1]

Re: Talk me into exercising!

You will lose weight faster if you exercise and tone up! When I don't feel like exercising, I just walk around the neighborhood with a friend. It feels more like hanging out than exercising and walking is the easiest form of exercise. Then I do some weight lifting when I get back!

[yanto]

Re: Talk me into exercising!

I think the trick is to start off very, very gently. If you go too hard too fast you will put yourself off or worse injure yourself. If you start gently and get into a routine you will soon find that you want to do more exercise at a more intense rate, even then you should not push to hard, just increase in moderation. You've already done the hard part by deciding that you are going to do it at all, it will get easier and easier from now on!