Exercise (the horror! the horror!) Motivation

[theoriginalavatar]

I just can't do it.

I cannot find the (courage? desire? strength?) willpower to exercise.

I have heard that it just takes time.

I have heard that eventually the pain goes away and the fun begins.

Where are those endorphins?

Where is that spot deep within myself that would enjoy what has heretofore been a completely unsatisfying (read devestatingly horrible) experience?

Any thoughts from the world of lds.net?

Has anyone out there done battle with this and found a sure-fire way to become addicted to healthy exerciseness?

I am at a loss.

[PrinceofLight2000]

You should find a type of exercise you can enjoy. I like running and strength training. Other people like sports or aerobics or martial arts. Find something that interests you and the pain's not so bad.

[theoriginalavatar]

You should find a type of exercise you can enjoy. I like running and strength training. Other people like sports or aerobics or martial arts. Find something that interests you and the pain's not so bad.

I enjoy shooting firearms, but that doesn't burn too many calories.

I wish I knew a sport that I would really enjoy. I like to watch baseball, but I do not know if I would like to play.

[Guest]

You and I both! I hate exercise... no, I LOATHE exercise.

But, I exercise - because my husband requires it of me. Yep. Before we got married we laid out our negotiables and non-negotiables and exercise is a non-negotiable. He thinks that it is disrespectful to our spouses and especially our children to not take care of our health. So, I think of that and force myself to exercise.

My kids' school is 2 miles away. I fast walk there to pick them up and we all fast walk back. So, 4 miles for me, 2 miles for my children - 3 times a week. Yeah, exercise is required for our children too.

Nope, I haven't reached a point where it becomes fun. It is not fun. But, we don't have any health issues yet, so I guess I can be happy with that.

Yeah, sometimes there are just things that we have to force ourselves to do. Now, eating spinach - hah, nope. Never. If spinach was the last food left on earth, I will die the next day.

[theoriginalavatar]

You and I both! I hate exercise... no, I LOATHE exercise.

But, I exercise - because my husband requires it of me. Yep. Before we got married we laid out our negotiables and non-negotiables and exercise is a non-negotiable. He thinks that it is disrespectful to our spouses and especially our children to not take care of our health. So, I think of that and force myself to exercise.

My kids' school is 2 miles away. I fast walk there to pick them up and we all fast walk back. So, 4 miles for me, 2 miles for my children - 3 times a week. Yeah, exercise is required for our children too.

Nope, I haven't reached a point where it becomes fun. It is not fun. But, we don't have any health issues yet, so I guess I can be happy with that.

I actually do like walking. I guess I would do that for my exercise except that I do not have enough time in the day to walk enough to make it beneficial. I think I would walk everywhere if I could.

Now, eating spinach - hah, nope. Never. If spinach was the last food left on earth, I will die the next day.

Spinach I do like. It is my second favorite vegetable.

[Gwen]

i was walking every day and things just got worse for me. i was told to give it 6 weeks before things would get easier. after 6 weeks i was worse off. i finally saw a dr that checked my hormones (and yes men sometimes need them adjusted too). once that was straight things got sooooo much better. there may be other factors that need to be taken care of before you are healthy enough for exercise.

[Tarnished]

I agree with finding some form of exercise that works for you. I abhor running, it hurts, it leaves me gasping for breath and well it hurts. So I walk, or use our elliptical or I use the Wii fit. I really do like the Wii fit, it gives me the option to choose the exercises I do and I can do things that don't hurt but still give me a workout. I like using our elliptical because I can have it set up in front of my TV and watch TV while I workout. Turn on a 30 minute show and soon the show is over and I have just worked out for 30 minutes.

[Wingnut]

I actually do like walking. I guess I would do that for my exercise except that I do not have enough time in the day to walk enough to make it beneficial. I think I would walk everywhere if I could.

I also hate, loathe, abhor, detest, etc., exercise. A friend made for me a copy of a walking DVD that she used that helped her lose a lot of weight (in combination with more intense cardio stuff and Weight Watchers). There's an exercise/walking guru named Leslie Sansone. She's developed an in-home walking program that involves walking, knee lifts, kicks, and side steps, so that it works a variety of muscles, which plain old walking doesn't do. The pace is constant, not like walking around the neighborhood, and since it can be done indoors, the weather is no excuse. This is the particular DVD of hers that I have. It's got a different routine for each weekday. If walking is your thing, this might work for you.

[theoriginalavatar]

i was walking every day and things just got worse for me. i was told to give it 6 weeks before things would get easier. after 6 weeks i was worse off. i finally saw a dr that checked my hormones (and yes men sometimes need them adjusted too). once that was straight things got sooooo much better. there may be other factors that need to be taken care of before you are healthy enough for exercise.

That is good advice. I do not believe that I am unhealthy (at least overtly so), but that is something worth checking into.

(I must be tired...I was sitting here thinking of other exercises I may enjoy, and I thought for a minute that I love horseback riding...LOL ...Maybe if the horse rode me...)

[Bini]

I don't necessary love exercising but over time I have found some enjoyment from it. Especially after the hard work is done. When I don't workout, I feel as if my whole day has been thrown off track. Anyway, making a life change whatever it is, tends to always be a bit of a challenge. The key for me, is to start small and build up from there. You'll see leaps and bounds as you progress and make the lifestyle change :] It's a gradual process, so yes, it does take a while before one gets to that point.

I personally like to exercise several times a day. I run before and after work. I also throw in yoga and strength training in there. But cardio is my favourite :] A good starting place is working out for maybe 15 minutes a day or 20 minutes a few times a week. Ease yourself into it because exercising isn't just a physical adaptation, there's a lot of mental adaptation that goes into it as well. Having a friend or activity partner is always recommended, especially for someone that has just started with an exercise routine. My husband does strength training with me and runs, which is great motivation and support for me.

[theoriginalavatar]

I don't necessary love exercising but over time I have found some enjoyment from it. Especially after the hard work is done. When I don't workout, I feel as if my whole day has been thrown off track. Anyway, making a life change whatever it is, tends to always be a bit of a challenge. The key for me, is to start small and build up from there. You'll see leaps and bounds as you progress and make the lifestyle change :] It's a gradual process, so yes, it does take a while before one gets to that point.

I personally like to exercise several times a day. I run before and after work. I also throw in yoga and strength training in there. But cardio is my favourite :] A good starting place is working out for maybe 15 minutes a day or 20 minutes a few times a week. Ease yourself into it because exercising isn't just a physical adaptation, there's a lot of mental adaptation that goes into it as well. Having a friend or activity partner is always recommended, especially for someone that has just started with an exercise routine. My husband does strength training with me and runs, which is great motivation and support for me.

Your comment about yoga made me think of tai chi. On my mission I saw people practicing this every day. I suppose it would be good as a stretching and balance exercise, but probably not so much for cardio.

[Guest xforeverxmetalx]

I hate it as well. The few kinds of exercise I like are difficult to do on a regular basis just based on the exercise. One thing I've started doing is watching an episode of TV while doing weight training. It hasn't been too bad.

I still need to start doing cardio though. Since it's best to do both [alternating days]. I should start walking and running, though I can't stand that. But now that the weather's cooled down, I guess I don't have an excuse anymore...

[Moksha]

Exercise has to start somewhere. Best to try moving your mouse around the screen and see how many shapes you can make. This might even help you brush up on your high school geometry.

Hope that helps...

[Traveler]

I just can't do it.

I cannot find the (courage? desire? strength?) willpower to exercise.

I have heard that it just takes time.

I have heard that eventually the pain goes away and the fun begins.

Where are those endorphins?

Where is that spot deep within myself that would enjoy what has heretofore been a completely unsatisfying (read devestatingly horrible) experience?

Any thoughts from the world of lds.net?

Has anyone out there done battle with this and found a sure-fire way to become addicted to healthy exerciseness?

I am at a loss.

I love cycling. I think it is good to have goles. I suggest you consider doing something and competing.

The Traveler

[Gemma]

Nope, haven't found a way to enjoy exercise, but I'm not doing too badly at actually doing it - for me, the key was finding something to keep my mind occupied while my body works out. I go to the gym so that I can watch TV, listen to music or read a book while walking or cycling - actually, I read my ensign in the gym, its easy to keep open.

Keep trying, and focus on what you want to gain from exercise - for me, looking good and being fit was never enough motivation, once I realised the mental benefits of exercise it became something I had to do to feel happy, and I could do it. A vague feeling that you should do it is no motivation compared to realiseing what you'll get if you do.

Gemma

[Saldrin]

I had to pray hard for the motivations, but I think it came down to that I was sick and tired of being sick and tired so I decided to make a change in my life. Have you considered working with a personal trainer? I'm sure they would have ideas on way to motivate you.

[pam]

I enjoy shooting firearms, but that doesn't burn too many calories.

I wish I knew a sport that I would really enjoy. I like to watch baseball, but I do not know if I would like to play.

Unless of course you act as the target and the shooter. Imagine shooting the gun and then running a distance to be the target. Now the key to this is making sure that you are a bad shot and never hit the target. But continue to do this and you'll be well on your way to exercising.

Oh wait..maybe I'm thinking of superman...faster than a speeding bullet. I've always thought so highly of you, I may have you confused.

[mnn727]

I could never exercise after work(was tired, didn't feel like it, had other things to do, etc), so I arranged my life so I would have time to exercise before work, its scheduled in every morning. and after a while -- a couple weeks it becomes habit. Find something you like doing(or don't dislike too much) or and do it every day. Give yourself 2 or 3 weeks of doing it -- even build up gradually. When I started on my stationary bike. I only did 2 minutes daily for the first week, then I added 2 minutes each week till I got up to 10 minutes. I do 10 minutes on the bike along with 30 more minutes of a variety of other exercises.

DON'T FORGET STRETCHING EXERCISES, these should be the first exercises you do to warm up and stretch your muscles.

Edited September 27, 2010 by mnn727