Stuck in an exercise rut

Again I went to my support group and asked this question & the following responses were given: Talk with friends or grab a friend and go for a walk, join a club or YMCA with a friend. Having a workout buddy was the central theme. Other ideas included, switch up your workout routine, water exercises for those that struggle with knee or other problems, chair exercises for those that may need help starting out or useful while just sitting at your desk at work or while watching tv. Just get out there and do something everyday - it doesn't matter morning, evening, ect., but to just get out there and establish your routine.

 I get bored with things pretty quickly so I like to switch things up.  The things I still do regularly are water aerobics and walking.  Since walking can be boring for me, I change that up too.  Sometimes I walk in my neighborhood, switching the routes each time, sometimes I walk on the treadmill at the gym.  I used to listen to music or watch tv on the treadmill but I just downloaded some audiobooks last week and listened to six chapters of "The Wizard of Oz" last night while walking on the treadmill.  I also have tried the "couch to 5k" program which give you a scheduled walk/run plan for beginning runners.  I did enjoy that but had to quit after 3 weeks because of an arthritis flare up in my knee.  :(

Other than that, I like to add activities that I enjoy that add some exercise like:  riding my bike, walking with my grandsons while they ride their bikes, hiking on the weekend with my husband, playing tennis or other sports, just playing outside with my grandkids.  

There are classes at the gym I belong to and I'm planning on trying out some of them (like zumba).

I've also found working with a trainer to be very helpful.  I work a lot harder with her than by myself.

I also bought some dance exercise DVDs to do at home... country line dancing for one.  It's fun and different.

Another idea is to work out with a friend.  Similar to working out with a trainer, it's harder to back out when someone else is waiting on you to go exercise.

Hope these ideas help. 

I am definitely in an exercise rut. I mostly walk, bike or swim for exercise. I know I need to do more but the thought of going to a gym scares me. I always felt so out of place in the gyms available to me in my area. Most were full of fit or muscle bound individuals. The cost was also prohibitive to me. I know it's time to stop the excuses and do some research into what is now available in my area and do something new.

Linda

 I have been post-op for 22 months and have found myself in an exercise rut.  I started with a personal trainer and equipped a room in my house with a ball, resistance bands, weights and tread mill.  Lately, I decided to switch things up and have begun Pilates and Zumba.  Wow, does Zumba give me a work out plus my Latin dancing has improved considerably.  Pilates is great because it strengthens my core.  Alternating classes, weight training, and a walking club is how I "mix exercise up" to keep me on track.  

I guess I am fortunate becasue routine comforts me. 

I do the same workout the same days every week and have no problem with boredom.  

Monday, Wednesdy and Friday I do lower body workout in the AM and swim in the PM.  And Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday I do upper body in the AM and strength training (standing pilates) and treadmill in the PM.

But, I guess I do look for change sometimes because I asked for a WII fit for my 100 lb lost present from my husband.    I just crossed that mark and havne't had time to open it yet, but I am looking forward to having variety.

Excersise!!!! Well never has been my favorite. However some one told me oneday to do what is fun Fun and exercise just didn't go together in my world so I decided to try a weii game then onto a special excercise game with it or two and you know what that machine had the nerve to talk back at me so the battle was on to get better and better the chalange was on and you know what it still smarts off but now I look forward to a regular work out just to see if I can beat the machine!
RaeAnn

I have been having the same issues with exercise. Here is my plan: Once a year we bid for new days off on my job. I have just requested new days off which will allow me to attend a Zumba class that I was previously unable to attend.  I will also have someone commuting with me back and forth to work, and we decided to hit the gym 4 nights a week when we get off work.  It's much easier for me to get in the groove when I have someone to work out with.  Exercise has been the most difficult part of my new lifestyle. Not that I can't, because now I can. i just don't always have the motivation to move. If I have someone with me just to say come on, just an hour, I'm good to go!!!!

I found too that my program needs to be changed up every so often.  I have found now, that making my routine, a mixed one helps.  I take group fitness classes like Zumba.  Its a latin inspired fitness/dance class and our instructions change up the rountine every so often, which helps target different muscles.  I also swim a couple of times a week, I walk/jog to mix things up and I try to add in some weight lifting sometimes so that my muscles and my bones stay heatlhy and strong.  I find doing a variety of different activities helps keep my routine interesting, and my body guessing.

Jen

In 2005, a year after my WLS, I formed a triathlon group for former female former couch potatos over 40. Half of them are WLS patients and the other half are normies. We train from March - Sept doing swims, bike and runs and participating in local sprint distance triathlons. From Sept - Now we train to walk the Seattle Half Marathon. Even though we often do the same training routine, it never gets boring because there are different members in attendance. Also, becaus there are a group of us, we feel motivated and encourage to not make excuses. I fully believe that exercise is as important as your diet/nutrition in maintaining a successful story of weight loss and healthy lifestyle.

I exercise each and every day.  I just went to St. Simmons Island and climbed 129 to the Top of The Lighthouse and Felt Great.