Exercise - why is it so hard?

Kimia

I have been trying and trying to get into a routine with exercise and I'm just finding it so difficult. Over the last 5 years I have joined a gym and gone 3 times a week, I've done pilates, yoga, I've gone jogging in the evenings, I've done couch to 5k, I've done home exercising, home dvds etc, everything.

I just cannot get to that elusive stage where I start to love it. I thought I would get there with jogging but now my knees are starting to really hurt (i think it's my stride) so I'm facing back into the gym as the cross trainer would be less impactful.

It's really starting to get me down. I really don't enjoy it at all (anything I've done - I've always ended up dreading it) but i'm forcing myself to keep active. How can I get to the stage where I'm actually enjoying myself? I mean, it's been 5 years! What am I doing wrong?

unreggd

If you dont like it from the get go, I dont think you ever will

I hate the gym, but luckily im somewhat good at makin myself go and get it over with

The best thing you can do is find a workout buddy, it makes ALL the difference

and dont just look at things that are specifically exercise, try some sports / dance class

If jogging isnt your thing, maybe try long walks / cycling?

good luck

Desire.

I just love the feeling of accomplishment and pride you get when you're drenched in sweat after a long, touch workout.

Kimia

Unfortunately I just moved to another country so don't have many buddies

I don't get that sense of accomplishment, no matter how sweaty I get. And believe me, I sweat and get boiled head syndrome.

I just find it horrible, the whole lot. I hate sweating, I hate getting out of breath, I rarely if ever get the buzz, even when I'm listening to the best music while running. I have to really force myself to actually do it.

The one thing I haven't tried is competitive sports - like joining a team. Perhaps that might work. But again if I hate the exercise part will I hate that too? At this stage I'm just so sick of being a complete exercise failure and it's really getting me down.

The Guvnor

Do you do much weights?

You can learn to love the gym but it takes time and you need to feel it yourself.

The mindset has to change from one of only going there to get a certain bodyweight to being healthy and then it will all fall in place.

Someone who goes from disliking the gym to liking has the potential imo to go a bit over the top and end up living there.

For me 5-6 days a week in the gym is the ideal.

the_syco

I find running boring unless there is a goal, so I don't do it. I love swimming, so I swim instead of running.

Lifting weights is boring, but I listen to tunes whilst doing so, and find that that helps.

My point: if you don't like doing something, doing it alot won't magically make you like it. You need to find some exercise that you enjoy doing, and then do it.

As for your knees, goto a doctor and get them checked out.

=-=

The team sports thing is something you should look into. From it, you'll meet drinking buddies, and you'll meet people who goto the gym. Thus you may find friends and gym buddies at the same time. If you work, see if there's a team in your work that plays at something. It makes it more enjoyable if you know the people you play with, and allows you to be more at ease.

gymfreak

Kimia wrote: »

It's really starting to get me down. I really don't enjoy it at all (anything I've done - I've always ended up dreading it) but i'm forcing myself to keep active. How can I get to the stage where I'm actually enjoying myself? I mean, it's been 5 years! What am I doing wrong?

There's your problem right there..your doing things you don't like. You need to play around with your training and find something that you do like doing. I spent ages trying different things..running, kickboxing, circuit-training, step aerobics..anything and everything. That's the key really keep trying things out untill you find something that you do enjoy.

At the moment I'm absolutely loving weight training..and it's hard enough to get me to take at least one day off!

Kimia

gymfreak wrote: »

There's your problem right there..your doing things you don't like. You need to play around with your training and find something that you do like doing. I spent ages trying different things..running, kickboxing, circuit-training, step aerobics..anything and everything. That's the key really keep trying things out untill you find something that you do enjoy.

At the moment I'm absolutely loving weight training..and it's hard enough to get me to take at least one day off!

Yes, I think you're right. THe problem I'm having is that I've tried loads already, I've spent literally the last 5 years trying things. So I've done going to the gym, that lasted about 6 months, then I didn't do anything for a while. Then did pilates. THen nothing. Then back to the gym for weight training. Stopped that. Then did yoga. Stopped that. Then did home training for a while. Then stopped. Then started walking with my friend. Which was ok but still very boring and I didn't feel like I was exercising. Then I started couch to 5K which I liked at the start but I'm again starting to get bored of it and my knees are starting to really hurt me too.

So basically I feel like I've tried so much and what's getting me down is that nothing is sticking. Nothing. I feel like such a failure. I would LOVE to be one of those people who is addicted to the gym or whatever but it's just not happening for me.

cc87

has there ever been a form of exercise you have enjoyed doing?

Is there some kind of goal or target you can set for yourself? weight, bodyfat, dress size,distance to run.......whatever you find personal and motivating to yourself, so you have something to aim for and be happy when you achieve it

gymfreak

Kimia wrote: »

Yes, I think you're right. THe problem I'm having is that I've tried loads already, I've spent literally the last 5 years trying things. So I've done going to the gym, that lasted about 6 months, then I didn't do anything for a while. Then did pilates. THen nothing. Then back to the gym for weight training. Stopped that. Then did yoga. Stopped that. Then did home training for a while. Then stopped. Then started walking with my friend. Which was ok but still very boring and I didn't feel like I was exercising. Then I started couch to 5K which I liked at the start but I'm again starting to get bored of it and my knees are starting to really hurt me too.

So basically I feel like I've tried so much and what's getting me down is that nothing is sticking. Nothing. I feel like such a failure. I would LOVE to be one of those people who is addicted to the gym or whatever but it's just not happening for me.

Sounds like you just need to keep looking...you'll find something. Are you an indoor or an outdoor person? Are you a sociable person when working out..(by that I mean..I talk, talk, talk to anyone I can find..or do you prefer to do things by yourself). Do you like fast paced, energetic stuff or do you prefer calming activities? Do you like routine/structure or do you prefer chopping and changing?

Can I also act why do you feel you NEED to be active-do you want to be lean/fitter/ lose weight/be in general good health.

deadlybuzzman

Kimia wrote: »

Unfortunately I just moved to another country so don't have many buddies

I don't get that sense of accomplishment, no matter how sweaty I get. And believe me, I sweat and get boiled head syndrome.

I just find it horrible, the whole lot. I hate sweating, I hate getting out of breath, I rarely if ever get the buzz, even when I'm listening to the best music while running. I have to really force myself to actually do it.

The one thing I haven't tried is competitive sports - like joining a team. Perhaps that might work. But again if I hate the exercise part will I hate that too? At this stage I'm just so sick of being a complete exercise failure and it's really getting me down.

heres an idea, you obviously dont enjoy the pastimes youve done so far so keep widening the net-how about tennis, tag rugby, squash etc?
I really really really hate cardio and my body seems to be genetically dertimined to be the opposite of fit(1 lap of a pitch will have me dead on the grass if Im untrained) that said by doing sports I loved along with some interval training I got fit to the point I could not get out of breath while doing them.
Bottom line.just keep doing new activities..espec if they help you meet new people in a new country

Theresalwaysone

At the end of the day. You're lazy and making excuses.

Kimia

Theresalwaysone wrote: »

At the end of the day. You're lazy and making excuses.

tbh, that's not helpful at all and is just plain mean. If you've nothing to contribute, back off.

Remmy

TBH I love the gym but if I found it boring I doubt i would be able to force myself to go. Find something in the gym whether its a different classes or an aspect such as weight training or cardio, try it all and your likely to finda niche that you will find enjoyable.
Personally I love the feeling when you get a bigger weight on a lift that you were trying to improve.+ the more I train my deadlift the less my sciatica creeps up(old man cough)

Alternatively you could try out some random sports.People here do everything from bjj to olympic weightlifting to triathalons.If you have found a sport you love you will be dedicated not only going to its weekly trainings but extra gym sessions to improve even more.

Goodluck.:)

Sephiroth_dude

Desire. wrote: »

I just love the feeling of accomplishment and pride you get when you're drenched in sweat after a long, touch workout.

me too

anewme

I know exactly what you mean. I got into and dropped out of several exercises because ultimately I did not like them. Would do them for a while and then get bored.

Then I went to a Spin Class. Not everybody's cup of tea, but I loved it. Doing it now 5 months and still love it.

I now need to work on toning my upper body and not sure what to do. Am going to keep up the Spin because I love it and I will do it.

Am thinking I might like Squash or some competitive game as well.

michellemuncher

Wow, well done for keeping at it for 5 years You are obviously very determined and that is half the battle. Finding an activity you enjoy is the rest. I enjoy running and cycling so it's easy to keep it up. I think a good trick with exercise is where doing it is the side benefit of something else. For example, walking or cycling to get to somewhere, or walking in mountains for the enjoyment of the scenery. Make it a way of life and then you'll do it without thinking.

Another idea would be to start some sort of sociable activity, perhaps something fun like wall climbing? If you find people you like, you will want to go to spend time with them, and also perhaps if the activity requires skill, you can concentrate on building up that skill rather than seeing it as just being exercise.

metamorphosis

The lazy comment is of sweet feck all use -

OP - did you ever really achieve much from the different things you tried? If you had seen and felt tangeable goals then that might have spurred you on. For me with running it was literally seeing myself starting out at 9min milles all those years ago and now running 6.45 min/miles with ease. Constantly getting faster, hitting new targets.

For others it's seeing the transformation in their body, size, strength from lifting heavy things.

Go to a goal, whether that be aesthetic or not and then from there you can take it somewhere.

Kimia

Yea, some people just like to try and bring people down to make themselves feel better. I'll take no notice.

I am going to keep at it. I'm going to go back to the gym and concentrate on weights, while keeping up the cardio on the cross trainer. I will also check out a competitive sport too as it might help with the inevitable boredom.

As far as goals go, I suppose I wouldn't mind being a bit firmer. I don't really care about weight loss so much. It would be nice to be fitter - that was the nice part of the jogging.

Oryx

Youre exercising for the sake of it and not giving yourself goals. No wonder you get bored. Anything you do without seeing change will get dull. You need an ambition. Such as by x date I will swim 1000m non stop. Or learn kettlebells and press 16kg by whenever. Or do x full pullups. Having a goal means you see improvement and changing goals pulls you along to higher levels of fitness.

Theresalwaysone

Theresalwaysone wrote: »

At the end of the day. You're lazy and making excuses.

metamorphosis wrote: »

The lazy comment is of sweet feck all use -QUOTE]

Kimia wrote: »

Yea, some people just like to try and bring people down to make themselves feel better. I'll take no notice.

So maybe it was a bit abrubt but I'd be fairly sure I'm not wrong and I can assure you its not to make me feel better.

I used to be like you OP. I used to want to get fitter, to exercise, to get stronger. I used to post on this forum consistently every 2 or so months asking questions about how to lose weight, how to get stronger, what to eat etc.

No one really likes working out. Well.. there might be a few freaks but in general people love the feeling afterwards and the results but when your under a bar, or slogging around a pitch, I can think of 1000's of more enjoyable things to be doing. Thats not the point though.

The point is, if you really really want to get fitter/stronger/lose weight you'll do it and stop asking. and Im really not trying to be harsh or put you off but it takes a certain level of will and determination to keep it up, because everyone has days they dread working out but the ones in good shape are the ones who break through that mental block.

beks101

Do you push yourself enough to get that rush of endorphins? That's what keeps me interested to be honest, as in reality most mornings I can think of ten things I'd rather do than go to the gym. But once I'm through the doors and pushing myself on the treadmill, I get that release of adrenaline and there's no stopping me. That and the post-gym glow, the energy surge and the physical results.

I think you need to keep challenging yourself, you really need goals. I don't think I'd last five minutes if I was doing it for no other reason but that I should, I need a tangible target, which for me is both long-term and short-term - I want to be X weight by X date and I want to run xkm in x amount of time today. That's what keeps me in the game, the feeling that I'm competing with myself and bettering myself with every session.

Laisurg

I don't enjoy lifting weights at all, to be honest i don't think anyone enjoys particularly difficult exercise (unless they're mental) but i feel the results are well worth it.

gsxr1

Theresalwaysone wrote: »

At the end of the day. You're lazy and making excuses.

BS... Lazy . your losing the run of your self. Im looking at my hamster right now. running on his wheel. It looks really crap. But hey!! the hamster loves it.


OP. I use sport to keep a drive on fitness. Look into cycling, running, football. Any sport that avoids boring reps and hours looking at a wall. If that sport involves backing up fitness in the gym, then at least you have a bigger goal to work on.

I believe its all about fun.
Step out of that gym and explore the the countryside around you. Its way way more interesting.
And can be far more intense without the need to dress up for a workout.

tuxy

Laisurg wrote: »

I don't enjoy lifting weights at all, to be honest i don't think anyone enjoys particularly difficult exercise (unless they're mental)

I don't think I'm mental and I love pushing myself beyond my comfort zone. When the the endorphins and adrenaline kick in it feels great. A good 45 min workout will normally have me feeling good for the rest of the day.

Kimia

Thanks so much to everyone for taking the time to reply, I really appreciate it. You all make great points, even Theresalwaysone did make an effort to clarify his previous post.

I agree with most of you. I am very vague with my goals. I don't really know why - I would love to look like a swimsuit model but I am a ridiculous foodie so my diet, while not crap by any means, does involve eating lots of nice food (I try out lots of fancy recipes) and I won't give that up.

I would like to be fitter and a bit more toned but I'm not that overweight by any means (9.5 stone, 5foot 4). I'm going to look up some sports clubs in my area and see if anything sparks an interest in me. I'm also going to continue going out walking in the evenings and doing push ups etc when I get home because my arms are nicely toned from a pretty active job I was doing up until recently.

I think I would like exercising more if it was more fun, maybe even a bit more competitive. Maybe there's some way I can be competitive with myself? Like make goals and try to better them every month or something?

d'Oracle

OP.

I'm not going to get into the whole conversation, as I can't really Identify that much. I enjoy what I do in the gym and such.

But is hiking an option in your new location?
Like with hills?

Its just a suggestion but walking up hills and over rough terrain is a schnakey way of getting exercise in, while being out in an enjoyable environment.