Exercise

What keeps  you from exercising and what would make it easier for you to do it? I bring this up because I've been thinking a lot lately about what keeps me from exercising.  Swimming is one of the better exercises for people who are very overweight, but how many overweight people actually swim?  Why don't they?  For me, it was a couple of things, but mainly the thought of being seen in a swimsuit.  Certainly there are people who get over this and do what they have to do.  If there were a pool that catered specifically to overweight people, or a program at a regular pool that did, would that help you get to the pool to exercise?

My laziness keeps me from exercising.  What would make it easier for me to do it?? I guess someone else doing it instead of me, but that'd be counterproductive.  I've always liked swimming but I do not go.  Most of the pools around me have a gym attached and they charge way to much for me to just take advantage of the pool.  We do have a recreation park that has one and charges about 70 dollars a year per adult. Unfortunatley, it closes at 5pm so the weekends would be my only option. Then there's that whole taking off my shirt thing. Yeah, that's difficult. Even if there were a perfect pool for me that  was catered to fat ppl (imagining extra super wide titanium water slides) I would still be the same lazy person and likely not go.  I really wish I had an answer to "What would make it easier for me to exercise?".  The only thing that comes to mind is a partner that motivates me and drives me to get out of the house. I say I'm lazy because I don't like physical activity but in truth I've done a whole lot with my life in other areas. I go to work dailly and I work very hard at my job. I've never been without a job for more than a month since I was 17. My job is perfect for me because it requires no physical activity other than walking to and from work and is sometimes mentally challenging.  (I'm a database administrator.)

"The only thing that comes to mind is a partner that motivates me and drives me to get out of the house." I wonder if this is a common thread for people?  It seems that accountability can be key to weight loss.  It's very easy for me, for example, to blow off working on my weight because my family is far away and because I can disappear from a board like this if things are not going well.  Any accountability I have to either source is purely voluntary. Athletes, I think, do better when there is a good coach around they are accountable to.  I wonder if there is a role that could be filled by "weight loss" coaches.

GET YOUR ASS IN THE POOL, ALBERT. (I said that in my Weight Loss Coach voice. That'll be $50, please.)

Nice :)

Yeah, well-- it was time for a career change. I couldn't say "ass" at my OLD job. I'm one to talk about "just do it." Swore today would be different, but I'm having excrutiating cramps and the belly's tight and throbby again. I just put on my nightshirt again (at 2:23 pm!) and since it's starting to rain, I think I am taking a touch of codeine and giving my dumb butt permission to go lie prostrate and moan a while. No really, I am. Instead of fighting through it like I do, I am gonna just go lie down and die for a change.

How's it going for you, Janina? Fightin' the good fight?

Girl, this sucks.  My fill's on Monday.  We'll see how we go.

 Shari, tks for that. It reminds me of Major Payne. Remember that movie?

I know it's a big thing for me.  My wife is a horrible accountability partner because we're like twins. We're both sedentary and only dream of being athletic. (Somehow she stays at 170 or less though..) So she "understands" when I'm having an off day...like every day.   Like you, it's easy for me to say ohh what the hell I'm not gonna go exercise today. No one is there to say, "Get you fat ass out there you lazy bum!".  Even though I can avoid this board it has been a great motivator and has held me accountable.  When I'm not here many people send me messages on myspace, email, etc and ask where I've been. That helps me not to forget my commitment to losing weight. I agree though that most of my accountability here is voluntary despite the emails... naturally I could choose to avoid those too but then I'd feel guilty and that type of guilt is a huge motivator for me.  Guilt about what I ate or overeate is quite the opposite though. Have you thought about hiring a personal trainer or coach?  Also, most of the weight loss clinics are supposed to have a coach or mentor that keeps you accountable. Unfortunately a lot of them don't do a good job. But you may be able to find one in your area that is up to par. I know for me this type of thing wouldn't really work because I begin to feel reluctant for having to commit to seeing this person on a weekly basis.  I want to do what I want to do when I want to do it.  I like being able to chance my plans for the day at the spur of the moment. I would end up quitting beacuse of feeling obligated to go. It works for some people though.

Well, luck for me that in my area, there's a wellness center that caters to older and overweight people.  Of course, there are some younger, slim folks, but noone seems to care what they look like in a bathing suit.  We're all there for the same reason.  And membership is only $35/mo. for gym and pool. Now, we also have an "elite" club that I would NEVER consider going to.  That's where the slim and trim jocks go, and it's expensive! Look around.  You just might find something that makes you comfortable. Good luck. Brenda