for those who don't like to exercise

I hate to exercise.  So I hardly every do it.  I have all kinds of excuses about why I don't or can't do it, but I am aware they are excuses.  I mean, it's true that I can't afford to join a gym right now and it's true that it's awfully cold to walk outside and it's true that I have a bad back... but that doesn't explain why I don't go walk at the mall or get some exercise DVDs or use the elliptical machine that's sitting in my living room.  The real reason I don't exercise is because I don't want to and I don't like to.

Yes, I know sometimes we have to do things we don't like.  But it's unlikely that I am going to spend an hour a day doing something I really don't like.

I always hear that you should just try a bunch of different activities until you find one you really like.  I have tried many things.  I hate exercise DVDs, I hate the ellipitcal machine, I hate walking at the mall, I hate doing weight training at the gym or walking on the track at the gym.  I don't quite hate swimming or water aerobics but I don't like it, either.  I didn't hate yoga when I had a friend that went with me but I didn't like it, either.  The only thing I kinda like is walking outside when the weather is nice and I have some where interesting to walk.  Walking around my neighborhood is boring.

But I was thinking today, I think my dislike of exercise has to be about more than just being bored walking at the mall or cold in the pool at the Y.  Those are like excuses not to like it.  But I'm not sure what it's about.

Of course, when I was really heavy, exercising was difficult and uncomfortable and I felt very self conscious doing it.  Which made it unpleasant, no matter which activity I did.  So maybe I still associate it with unpleasant feelings.

But I think there's still more.  Maybe some of it goes back to just being uncomfortable in my body, period.  Which I think stems from my childhood abuse.  I didn't want to be in my body.  I didn't want to be aware of my body, and exercising makes you aware of your body.

Any thoughts?  Anyone relate?  Anyone know how to move past this and actually get some exercise?

Thank you for your honesty on this!! 

I think part of it is just getting used to exercising and building up the body to exercise.  I agree that there is a boredom factor, and I hate the gym too.  It's smelling and boring and I don't like to go.  I got Season 1 and 2 of Scarecrow and Mrs. King and only watch it when I'm on my ellipitical.  I know when I first started off exercising, I could only do 8 minutes at a time.  Why do you have to think of it as needing to work out for an hour.  That would put anyone off.  But you can do 10 minutes.  And eventually, that 10 minutes will feel really easy and you might add 5 more.  They also say that 3 10 minute walks a day is the equivalent of 1 30 minute walk.  I think you are putting too much pressure on yourself, all or nothing, an hour or it's not worth it.  I had to build up to longer exercise because I also hated it.  In some ways I still do but then I repeat this mantra I got from a trainer (Kendric on FB):

"Do something today that will make your future self happy".

When I exercise, I always feel better and am happy I did, after the fact.

Don't put so much pressure on yourself.  Try getting on your cross trainer for 5 minutes and put something good on TV.  You can do anything for 5 minutes.

Jan

I do tend to have an all or nothing mentality.  That is probably another part of the problem.  And you are right, I can do anything for five minutes.

Kelly,

The other thing I was going to say about the elliptical is I never do it "for an hour".  I go for the distance and when I find myself wanting to stop, I think in terms of miles.  I can do one mile.  Or sometimes when I'm really not into it, I go by the half mile.  I can do half a mile then stop and take a drink.  Then I can do half a mile more.  By the time I've finished, I've done my 4-5 miles, but I don't think of them like that.

Jan

 Do you like playing games?  I've found that often people who don't like to do solitary exercise don't like to exercise because it's solitary.   Some of the healthiest people I know don't actually "exercise".  They play golf or are on volleyball leagues or are on the beer leagues.  My brother, who wouldn't be caught dead "exercising", takes his camera and goes hiking for nature shoots once or twice a week.  

Other friends do geocaching or go snorkling.   I know one person who just loves to kayak.  Gardening is my sister-in-law's favorite activity.  

Me, I kind of like solitary exercise when I'm relatively pain free.    I read books or listen to podcasts while I do it, and I like the quiet.   No one is getting into my head and bugging me.  

How about hearing from a former exercise hater?  And the former queen of excuse makers!

NOW I like to exercise, but it took me a solid two years to get to that point.  I always felt very uncoordinated and out of sync with what others could do.  I guess a light bulb went on the day I told my husband I wanted to have surgery.  He told me "you have to do this right and start exercising now".  So I did.  Just to prove to him that I could.  I AM competitive.

That competitiveness was a little spark that grew to an enormous fire!  I tried many things and found some that I love and others not so much.

Love:  P90X-I cannot believe that this old body can do the things in those workouts!  And I did it all in the safety of my home, so no one could laugh at me.  The day I did a one handed push up was a marvelous day indeed!  And the day I could feel all my ab muscles and enjoy the overall body strength they give me?  Pure gold.

Love:  Running.  Never saw that coming.  I started out running on the treadmill and got very bored with it.  Oh, and when I say "started out" I mean I could barely run for 30 seconds.  But it was personal and I had to conquer it.  On a nice Spring day I decided to go to this path through the woods near my home and run "for real" in front of people.  I took my iPod and just did it.  It was so liberating! 

Love:  Hiking.  I can bang out 10 miles in a climbing terrain and never miss a beat!  I'm like a little kid!  I'm not real "sure footed" since I have arthritis in my knees and I use hiking poles for stability.  Some hills are just too steep to go down without pain, so I just plop my butt on the ground like a little kid and slide down!  I'm really a high maintenance girly girl so it is funny to see how wet and muddy I can get on a hike.

Love:  Mowing our lawn.  In the Summer, I mow.  I put on a tube top (yes, I admit it-to the horror of my kids which is a bonus!) to get some sun, put on 80's music and crank up the old push mower!

Love: Yoga.  So relaxing and calming and gentle on the body, but very challenging and builds great core strength.

Don't love: Zumba.  No coordination here.....I'm more of a "free style" "drop it like it's hot" girl.

Don't love: Going to a gym.  I'm not a patient person and I will not wait in line to use stuff.

Don't love:  Cycling.  Tried it, just too scared going down hill and hate being on the road with cars.

Don't love:  Rollerblading.  Broken tailbone. Need I say more?

Don't love:  Swimming.  I like to float.  Floating will not work my muscles.

Don't love:  Elliptical.  Have one....collecting dust.  Much more of a treadmill girl if I HAVE to use a piece of indoor equipment.

Want to try:  Crossfit.  I admit.  I'm scared.

As you can see, this is an accumulation of 2+ years of trial, error and pure competitiveness.  I only compete with myself.  I do not run races to win....I only run against my own times and don't care if I beat them....I just want to finish.  Whenever I do a 5k (all I can handle with my bad knees) I am in awe that I can do it, and I always feel as if a part of me is there to represent those who can't but would love to!

Keep trying new things...find a few that you don't hate and make yourself do those.  After a while (a long while for me) it really is a part of your life and your body will feel so amazing that you crave it!  I swear that exercise is why I'm always in a good mood now....the endorphins!

Crossfit is awesome. It's a heck of a workout, but it's awesome. You'll sweat like you've never sweated in your life. My fat self did crossfit last year at around 240lbs. I quit after 2 months because it was wreaking havoc on my body, but for someone who's in shape, it's amazing, and I look forward to doing it again. 

I thought I was the only one who loves mowing my lawn! :D There's something very cathartic about it.

And cycling? Yeah. Bikes terrify me. My 6 year old son thinks I'm insane, and my husband doesn't get it, either. But you couldn't PAY me enough money to get up on a bike and ride in traffic. I'm more scared of that than getting cut open and having my guts rearranged. Weird, huh? 

Sounds like we could be workout buddies....

I love the sense of accomplishment in getting the grass mowed.

I'm going to find a box near my office so I can check out this crossfit....I really do think it has my name written all over it!

HIJACK!
OMG Kim you HAVE to do Crossfit! it has your name all over it!!!

If you have a box near you (that's what they call their "gym") you must go check it out. You will love it, it's so much fun and it's competitive against yourself-which is the best kind!

If you like 90X you will LOVE Crossfit- I highly recommend it.

:Danni