When do you start to 'enjoy' exercise?

[Furtive]

I've been working out for a couple months now, consistently. Mostly cardio, and body-weight exercises as I'm not about to pay for a gym membership at the moment.

 

A lot of my buddies work out non-stop, and they crave the workout, and what it does...I still agonize over how long and boring it's going to be, and how I can better use that hour of my day.

 

It's a lot more bearable now that I have some good audio books on my ipod, but still, not liking the idea of exertion yet.

[petite]

I think that there are people that simply never really start enjoying exercise but they tolerate it and do it for health reasons. Because every person is different I am certain there isn't a magic number regarding making something a habit. I do think it's easier to enjoy exercising at the gym because you have a lot of equipment available and people usually push themselves more because they have paid for the membership.

Have you considered exercising with a friend?

[Furtive]

I think that there are people that simply never really start enjoying exercise but they tolerate it and do it for health reasons. Because every person is different I am certain there isn't a magic number regarding making something a habit. I do think it's easier to enjoy exercising at the gym because you have a lot of equipment available and people usually push themselves more because they have paid for the membership.

Have you considered exercising with a friend?

 

They do their workouts at the gym at like 5-6am before they go to work. I work out at night.

[Miss Firecracker]

I've been doing it for years and still hate it. My face and hair look horrible and then I need a shower. There is nothing fun about it.

 

But when I look down and see the definition in my legs it's all worth it. About to fix my hair a little an go in for an hour. (yuck)

[petite]

They do their workouts at the gym at like 5-6am before they go to work. I work out at night.

 

This might be one of your problems. I've met many people that really hated exercising at night because they are already exhausted from work, family or just life in general. If you start exercising in the morning before work, your days might actually improve and you might notice a difference in your energy through the day. In my personal experience morning exercise is better for your overall health (and sleep) and you have minimal mental distractions and total focus on the workout right in the morning before all the day drama starts. In the evening I wind down with some relaxing yoga poses for better sleep.

[meoww]

I'd think about the benefits: you sleep better, you have more energy, you're less stressed out, and sometimes it helps you focus more. I usually try to link behaviors and consequences together and not view them as separate acts.

 

I also think it feels really good to challenge yourself. Instead of thinking, I'm so tired, focus on how you're training your body to be stronger. Also, the time we take to workout isn't that even that long. Think of the time you waste on the internet or something, compared to that, working out is nothing. So you shouldn't be bored, maybe you can try to learn a language or do some multitasking while you work out.

[donpeel83]

I think its down to the indivdual. I for one love the feeling of getting pumped at the gym, or from when I go boxing etc. However, not everyone will crave it in the same way I do.

 

I think for me as well, with the gym and with going boxing its basically adding something new to my day. SUre, I could train at home etc, but by going to the gym it gets me out of the house for a few hours and same with boxing. I think thats what helps my enjoyment levels, knwoing that im going to basically make it a pivitol part of my day and knowing the more I do it the more likely im going to have the body of my dreams etc. This brings me onto another point, which I believe another poster commented on. Setting gols helps. If your just doing exercise for the sake of it then yea, you will get bored. But if you set yourself a goal such as in 6 months time you want to run a half marathone etc or something along those lines, you will find that helps.

 

 

Also, whats your rpoutine like? If you have spent the last two months doing near to the same stuff consistently then thats another reason why you might be finding it slightly dull. Switch things up a little bit, join a running club, boxing gym, something other than a normal gym which will enable you to get a great work out in a slightly different way.

[donpeel83]

PS sorry for the spelling mistakes. Just noticed a shed load reading that back.

[imsuperman]

I have my own stuff to weight train at home.

 

I look forward to it, but once I start I just wish it was over.

 

It makes me stronger though, so it's necessary.

[Batya33]

I've been doing some sort of structured exercise at least several times a week for over 30 years. I love the feeling of my body in motion and pushing myself to the limit. I also love how in tune it makes me with my body -I know exactly when something is "off" or "wrong" because of how much I am able to do in my workout. And I love the results. Sweating can be a pain if I can't shower right after and it can be a pain to schedule given my lifestyle. I also find it's far better than napping for fighting fatigue.

[Daligal83]

Sometimes it's about finding the right workout for you. Maybe there are other types of activities that are exercise that you will like more than what you're already doing. It could be joining a sports team, taking a class, etc. Some people like spinning, others like yoga and some like heavy weight lifting. There are all sorts of ways to get your exercise in. Experiment a little and see if you can find something more enjoyable. Swimming is also another great option.

[OptomisticGirl]

I've been working out for a couple months now, consistently. Mostly cardio, and body-weight exercises as I'm not about to pay for a gym membership at the moment.

 

A lot of my buddies work out non-stop, and they crave the workout, and what it does...I still agonize over how long and boring it's going to be, and how I can better use that hour of my day.

 

It's a lot more bearable now that I have some good audio books on my ipod, but still, not liking the idea of exertion yet.

 

It comes and goes for me. Some days I'm rearing to go, want to exercise, and can barely contain myself to get to the gym (now that I'm a month into going on a regular bases). Then there are days (Whether it was a long day at work or I'm not feeling top notch) were goign is the LAST thing on my mind. But I always push through because I know AFTER the workout, I will feel great.

[italiannmf24]

You start to enjoy the workout/exercise once you see results.

[thejigsup]

I work out at home and that works for me. I'm in pretty good shape for my age and I feel good. It's not about my body looking good at me age, it's about heart health.

[Ariel85]

Furtive - it sounds like you're not doing exercise you enjoy. If you find something you love to do, then you won't dread it.

 

Plenty of things to try to get yourself moving - hiking, cycling, yoga, tai chi, mma, boxing, krav maga, race walking, swimming, aerobics, dancing, running, rollerblading, on and on and on.

 

Too many people pick activities they hate, and then wonder why they can't stick with exercise. Perhaps try some other things that are more suited to your fitness level, interest and schedule.

[force]

Man society has everyone brainwashed into thinking you have to excercise to lose weight. Ever notice that in the 50's hardly no one went to the gym? And they were still able to maintain their weight? Hmmm.... I fell into that excercise trap before where HAD to run every night after work a minimum of 2 miles and I hated it and dreaded it. So I then stumbled on Kevin Trudeau's book "Natural Cures they don't want you to know about," and "The weight loss cure." Highly recommended books. It's all about the things you put in your body that make you fat and how fad diets and excersise is a scam. I gave up processed foods and soda pop and started eating more organic and I havent had to worry about my weight or excersise since. I now only excersise when I want to for fun like walking or biking or kayaking. Hard excersise is hard on the body, not natural, and actually not as healthy as you think.

[MakeItCount]

I really want to reply to this post with all my might, but I'll probably get instabanned. I'll try to tone it down.

 

Exercise keeps you strong, healthy, and full of energy. Life expectancy goes up a boatload when you exercise.

 

yes, it's tough on your body because you're challenging your body and pushing it to grow and be stronger. As long as you exercise PROPERLY, you have a small chance of injuring yourself. Injuries are just indications that you either pushed too hard or you have some work to do.

 

I don't think it takes a brain surgeon to realize bad food is bad for you. There weren't nearly as many processed foods/trans fats in the 50's. Yes, fad diets are a scam, as are weight loss pills, etc. What's a natural cure? Don't eat processed foods? That's not a natural cure, that's just common sense. Like I said..bad food is bad.

 

As far as organic...if you had any idea how poorly "organic foods" are regulated, you'd probably think twice. You're just overpaying for food, that's all.

 

I'd love to see some research that says exercise is a scam or bad for you. I really would.

 

As far as the OP - seeing results is great. Challenging yourself. When suddenly you go from curling 35's to 40's, then to 50's in a month, it feels amazing. Energy goes through the roof, you look great, feel great, sleep better, etc. Before I went on vacation last year I worked out like a fiend and got jacked as hell. Looking at those pictures makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.

[force]

How do you think Lance Armstrong got testicular cancer? Hard, constant excersise. He was pushing his body so hard and was putting enormous amounts of stress on his body. It's true. There are other athletes that have aquired cancer too. Look it up. I can back up what I say from the books mentioned above and articles. I respect your opinion MakeitCount and did not mean to make you so defensive. Walking is the best form of excersise you can do and the healthiest for your body.

[donpeel83]

How do you think Lance Armstrong got testicular cancer? Hard, constant excersise. He was pushing his body so hard and was putting enormous amounts of stress on his body. It's true. There are other athletes that have aquired cancer too. Look it up. I can back up what I say from the books mentioned above and articles. I respect your opinion MakeitCount and did not mean to make you so defensive. Walking is the best form of excersise you can do and the healthiest for your body.

 

However, you also solved your own problem there. They were athletes, and no doubt professional ones. The level of exercise they do would far out strip what the likes of you, I, the OP and others on this thread would accomplish. We're talking guys who were training for the Tour DeFrance, Olympics and so on. Plus, there would no doubt be other contributing factors such as training supplements etc maybe incorrect diet built into the equation. Also, whilst you say Lance developed Testicular cancer through excesive training, which im not disputing, it is also proven that exercise can stave off other forms of cancer as well so very much swings and round abouts.

 

Personally, the benefits of a healthy exercise filled life far outweigh the negatives. Im also willing to bet, without researching, the the cases of normal folk conducting a normal exercise filled life, there will be little or no cases of people developing cancer through exercise.

[force]

I don't disagree with you donpeel83. Some excercise does have benifits. Did you know that America works out more than any other country and we're still the fattest in the world? Some beat themselves to death working out then they fall into that "I have to keep it up" trap. I would hate to have to get up at 4 or 5 in the morning before work knowing I HAVE to work out and if I don't do it feeling guilty as hell. It would suck. I would rather eat healthy alot of the time and go for a leisurly scenic walk after work. For all of you that really like to work out no offense but it seems alot of the posters on this thread dread it.

[Alezia]

What I really want to try is pole dancing, that sounds like a lot of fun and is a killer workout. Try doing something else than lame cardio and weight exercices if you dread it.

[OptomisticGirl]

What I really want to try is pole dancing, that sounds like a lot of fun and is a killer workout. Try doing something else than lame cardio and weight exercices if you dread it.

 

Me to!! No one teaches it around here - poo - but I know their is a dance studio where L lives that does. I def plan on trying it when I move over.

[OptomisticGirl]

I don't disagree with you donpeel83. Some excercise does have benifits. Did you know that America works out more than any other country and we're still the fattest in the world? Some beat themselves to death working out then they fall into that "I have to keep it up" trap. I would hate to have to get up at 4 or 5 in the morning before work knowing I HAVE to work out and if I don't do it feeling guilty as hell. It would suck. I would rather eat healthy alot of the time and go for a leisurly scenic walk after work. For all of you that really like to work out no offense but it seems alot of the posters on this thread dread it.

 

I use to loathing working out until something just clicked in my head. I don't know what but I look forward to workouts now. I allow myself some slow nights were if I'm not top notch, I only go for a minimum of 30 mins.

[Batya33]

What I really want to try is pole dancing, that sounds like a lot of fun and is a killer workout. Try doing something else than lame cardio and weight exercices if you dread it.

 

I think pole dancing or similar is great as an occasional variation from an exercise routine that is fairly simple and easy enough to work into your daily routine (i.e. running or power walking only requires sneakers and comfortable clothing and can be done outside or inside). If you rely on a particular class or apparatus for regular exercise then when you travel, or the weather prohibits going to the gym or outside, you won't have other options. As far as cardio being "lame" I was just complimented today by the owner of a spa because she said she sees me on the jogging path every morning with my child in a stroller. Guess "lame" is in the eye of the beholder.

[Furtive]

Sorry guys, I've been gone all day and just got back. Yes, my workout is pretty plan and routine, I don't think I'm over-doing it by any means. As of last night I'm jogging about 2-3 miles, with walking breaks, every other day with the weekends off.

 

For strength training, it's just the basics, sit-ups, pull-ups, chin-ups, push-ups, etc.

 

When I'm out of school this time around I'll switch it up, and go to the gym, when i can actually afford it.

 

Don't get me wrong, I feel good AFTER the exercise (kind of like a person feels good after brushing their teeth/taking a shower), it's just getting in the frame of mind of wanting to do it that's rough. I do envy my buddies, they love working out with a passion. They don't feel obligated to do it, they just love doing it, if that makes sense.

 

Thanks everyone for the input.