I Hate Exercise

LegacyUser · 29-09-2019 06:52PM #1

This is definitely one of the more pedantic issues on this forum but here we go. Female here in my mid-late 20s. All my life I have hated exercise. Even as a really young kid, PE/outdoor games was the bane of my existence, I hated lunch time even in primary school cause it meant I had to go outside and run. I have never felt that euphoric feeling that everyone seems to say I will get once I have finished working out, instead I think "thank f*ck thats over I never want to do that again". I would literally prefer to not eat for the day than go for a work out. I've tried a whole host of different random classes, hoping to find my jam; everything from zumba, pole dancing, gaelic football, swimming, trampolining, horse-riding, weight lifting, yoga, etc etc etc. Nothing works for me. I hate it all! I have never found exercise addictive, I have never got a positive feeling from it (maybe my brain is broken or something cause thats what every friend I have who has tried to get me into exercise has claimed thats what got them coming back to the gym/pool/whatever). I am average build, but I know I am unfit, and I do find exercise difficult, but tbh theres no reason why I should find it any more difficult than anyone else. I don't smoke so its not like my breathing is off, and as I said I've hated any exercise I've ever done even since I was a kid. I also feel that its just part of a healthy lifestyle to exercise, and by not exercising I am doing myself a disfavor; everyone I know my own age exercises in some shape or form and I feel like I am definitely the odd one out by not working out. Its almost perceived as weird to not exercise.

IDK whats the right step (pun intended) to take. Exercise is obviously essential to keep healthy and I would love to lose some weight too, I think theres also a social aspect to it as well, as I said amongst people my age it just seems to be perceived as odd to not undertake some form of physical exercise; but IDK how to make myself not hate it. I want to want to exercise, to keep fit and healthy-but I just haaaaaaaate it so much. My chest goes tight, my body heavy, I heave, I get tired, its difficult, and a billion other things; theres no positives what so ever!!!!!! I actually would rather sit my leaving cert again than go for a work out. HELP!

kmc25_1 · 29-09-2019 09:25PM

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/sep/29/how-to-get-started-as-a-runner

I'd recommend running. Best to get my heart rate up. Something I can start straight outside my front door. Intend to try park run soon.

NewMan1982 · 29-09-2019 09:29PM

If it’s for weight loss then all you need to do is change your diet. Exercise isn’t needed once you’ve a calorie deficit.

I was injured for a few months last year and still lost weight because my diet was right.

dobman88 · 29-09-2019 09:34PM

You dont HAVE to exercise. And it doesnt have to be something that's gonna leave you gassed and unable to breathe. Once you're not eating take away every day and choc/crisps every evening you're fine.

Dont be trying to define exercise either. You could go for a walk on the beach, go for a hike, something like that. I was recovering from a soccer injury recently and had cabin fever from being indoors, went to the beach and just walked, had been walking for an hour before I checked my phone so obviously had to walk back to the car. I was wrecked after it and slept sound that night.

My point is, exercise doesnt have to be sweating in a gym. It can be anything.

Augme · 29-09-2019 09:40PM

Ive done lots of sports and exercise regularly however I never do them because I want to exercise. I do them because of the social aspect, the challenge, the learning, pushing my body and seeing what's it's capable of, the competitive aspect. I accept that getting tired and out of breathe is going to happen, but I do all my sports in spite of this, not because of it. I don't enjoy that aspect of it at all.

Have you tried cycling? I cycle nearly everywhere. Again, not because of exercise but because it's free and much quicker than public transport and provides a lot more freedom. Also gets the heart rate up.

messy tessy · 29-09-2019 10:31PM

I would suggest either running or cycling. I have tried a few on your list over the years (minus the pole dancing!) And never felt any sort of high from them. Couch to 5k is something I stuck with though, you start off jogging for one minute and then walking to recover.

It's going to be difficult at the start. You are using muscles and pushing yourself in a way that you aren't used to. The first time I jogged (for that one minute) I thought I was going to die!! The programme works though. If you commit to the 9 or 10 weeks I guarantee you will love it!

pwurple · 30-09-2019 10:08AM

What are you doing with your free time? Watching telly, reading?

I don't 'exercise' as in going to the gym because I find it repetitive, and I don't feel like it's productive, but I keep active. That's all you need to do really, no need to kill yourself.

You could try tying it in with social activities instead. Would any of these work? They tie in working for others and that sense of generosity with your time, with being active and productive.

Go for a social walk with friends, or take someone's dog out for a run around. Maybe someone elderly who can't manage it.
If you're near waterways (most of us are in ireland!) go out on the water for a kayak or rowing.
Do some gardening for yourself or family (weeding, painting fences, digging, cutting grass) or DIY.
Community initiatives , like tidy towns will often have cleanup groups, where you go clearing an area of brambles once a month or so. That will keep the

dori_dormer · 30-09-2019 12:49PM

I'm exactly like this. Haves never gotten that exercise high. Never liked sports as a child either. Its all hard, and mind numbingly boring. Especially running! I just about manage hiit training, simply because you do something new every 2 minutes.

My doc suggested that i might have a thyroid issue, as that's where the high comes from. But the tests to get the full range done are expensive so I haven't done it yet, but you could check it out!

pq0n1ct4ve8zf5 · 30-09-2019 01:35PM

I was going to suggest hiit too, it's an even more "ugh I hate this I hate this I hate this!" but at least it's just for a short burst.

Lookit I'd say relatively few people actually like exercise for it's own sake, they like things incidental to it or that are consequences: the endorphin high, the challenge, social aspects, and of course being fit. You seem to be stuck in a bit of a loop mentally; you're waiting for a certain experience, to enjoy exercise in a certain way and being continually disappointed and trying it again with the same expectation. Definition of madness. How long have you stuck with any one thing?

Btw I get you on the laziness thing, I'm a lazy bitch. Back in the days of CDs I once torrented an album I already owned because I wanted to listen to it and the CD was on the other side of the room. However, I'm a reasonably fit lazy bitch. I do yoga, and I go for walks/jogs. I have the endorphin rush to encourage me but I also tinkered and plugged away and found something that worked for me. I'm someone who likes my own company, the social aspect of a yoga class or parkrun or stuff would actually put me off. But while I don't exactly ENJOY jogging, I enjoy getting out by myself, putting the headphones in and zoning out for a few laps of the park, or lighting some candles and getting bendy.

I think the first thing you need to do is rule out any physical causes here though. Do you have some dietary deficiency or underlying condition which could be making you fatigued? Your GP is the first port of call.

The second thing is to think about why do you want to exercise and what do you want to get from it? If it literally boils down to "everyone else is doing it" probably nothing is going to stick. Do you want to be fit, want a stress buster, want a regular social activity, want some time alone every week, want better skin, to guard against illness in later life? You need to figure out what it is that you want more than you hate exercise .

redfox123 · 30-09-2019 04:44PM

No you don’t need to exercise. It’s unnatural anyway to force yourself to exercise. Humans weren’t designed for the gym, treadmills, spinning, all these things. They were however designed to walk long distance, for food and water. I don’t exercise but I do walk a lot because I don’t drive, and I also watch what I eat. So if you don’t want to do exercise then you have to be strict with your diet, if you don’t have a fast metabolism and you want to lose weight.
I hate running too, it seems so ridiculous to run when you don’t have to, as in you’re not running from some perceived danger or hunting something or whatever, which is why humans can run. Youre forcing yourself to run for no real reason which is unnatural and exhausting. So my advice would be walk everywhere and eat less and healthily.

Wesser · 30-09-2019 08:15PM

what about walking? perfectly good form.of excercise and nearly zero risk.of injury.

lisasimpson · 30-09-2019 09:36PM

Arrange to meet a friend for a walk. Get to catch up on gossip and exercise at the same time. I find having a friend to go to a gym class the motivation I need at times

Sunny Dayz · 01-10-2019 10:09AM

When we think of exercise, we think of it as something we "have" to do. I think PE classes back in school has a lot to do with it.
Anyway, my suggestion would be trying to move away from thinking you "have" to exercise and that it has to be tough, and you have to sweat loads. Try thinking of it as being active, as part of your lifestyle.

I exercise, but I don't think of it as exercising, I find that it is part of my life. And I was never sporty growing up.
I walk in and out of work most days, I plan my work schedule in my head walking in and debrief in the evenings walking home. I try to get out for a 20 min walk on my lunch break - I listen to a podcast, and enjoy getting away from my desk and getting some fresh air.
I run with a running group once a week and join in with parkrun on Saturday - a lot of it is for the social aspect. If I was left to my own devices I probably wouldn't be as motivated to go for a run but the social aspect is a good driving force for me. Running is not as easy as you would think, I found it so tough when I started and was in tears at how unfit I was. But I persevered and while I'm nowhere near fast, I've seen progress over the years.

blue note · 01-10-2019 01:48PM

OP, you have my sympathy for sure. You don't sound remotely lazy - if you're trying all of those things even though you hate them then that's the very opposite of lazy. It's easy to do them when you want to, extremely difficult when you don't.

Unfortunately, in terms of general health cardio exercise in particular is hugely important. You can stay a healthy weight purely by eating the right amount if calories, but a healthy weight doesn't mean you're healthy. Even some of the exercise types people are suggesting (while certainly) good for you, won't necessarily give you the cardio you need if you want to be very healthy. Walking that doesn't push you, meditative yoga, gardening are great, but I think a lot of people do these things thinking they're exercising twice a week or whatever, but really it's more an active lifestyle without exercise.

I think you're absolutely right to want to be healthy and exercise has to be part of that. And you certainly have my respect for doing it when you find it so unenjoyable. I wish I had some advice to make it easier, but all I can offer is encouragement. Best of luck OP!

01-10-2019 07:00PM

redfox123 wrote: »

No you don’t need to exercise. It’s unnatural anyway to force yourself to exercise. Humans weren’t designed for the gym, treadmills, spinning, all these things. They were however designed to walk long distance, for food and water. I don’t exercise but I do walk a lot because I don’t drive, and I also watch what I eat. So if you don’t want to do exercise then you have to be strict with your diet, if you don’t have a fast metabolism and you want to lose weight.
I hate running too, it seems so ridiculous to run when you don’t have to, as in you’re not running from some perceived danger or hunting something or whatever, which is why humans can run. Youre forcing yourself to run for no real reason which is unnatural and exhausting. So my advice would be walk everywhere and eat less and healthily.

Humans are "designed" to run long distances though. Some primitive tribes still practice persistence hunting, wherein groups of hunters would chase prey over long distances. Humans are not as fast as most four legged animals in a sprint, but we have greater endurance and a greater ability to cool down faster. Over the course of a day's hunting, humans would slowly tire out the animal they were hunting.

OP, I have rarely gone on a run (or cycle) I regretted, no matter how hard it was to get off the couch and go. It's easy to avoid doing it, but nearly always feel a bit better for it.

bee06 · 01-10-2019 07:35PM

OP I didn’t start exercising until I was 34. The whole fitness buzz that’s around now wasn’t a thing when I was in my 20’s and I am skinny so never had to do it for weight management. What got me hooked in the end was Barre and pilates. I would say keep trying new things and you might find something you really like.

whiskeyman · 01-10-2019 08:10PM

Wesser wrote: »

what about walking? perfectly good form.of excercise and nearly zero risk.of injury.

This.
I've a brother who is like you.
Hated all sports and never played or watched any of them.
However, he's lean and fit.
He eats well and walks as much as he can.
You can increase the pace walking to get good cardio and keep very fit.

milli milli · 02-10-2019 03:55PM

Maybe don’t look at it as ‘having’ to do exercise for the sake of it. If you find something you enjoy that happens to be fitness-related, then that’s great. It won’t be such a chore then.

I would also suggest walking and maybe hiking. A nice walk up around hills or up a mountainside is great for your fitness, but you’re out in nature and perhaps seeing some great views or having a catch-up with a friend - so it doesn’t have to be activity focused.

Also things like learning a martial art, dancing, kayaking/sailing, throwing around a frisbee, kicking a ball around with kids, even tai chi - any type of movement, it doesn’t have to be an official class or anything. There are loads of things to try out.

People say you don’t have to exercise but it is important for the heart, and overall general health to do regular activity. As another poster said, you may not have found your ‘thing’ yet?

Here is a list of activities that don’t ‘feel’ like exercise - https://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/25-ways-to-exercise-without-realizing-it/

Dtp1979 · 03-10-2019 08:39AM

What is the best excersise to do?
The best excersise is the one that you enjoy doing.

Keep trying to find something op. It doesn’t need to be ball breaking heart pounding stuff. Just keep active and you’ll be fine

ManOfMystery · 03-10-2019 01:01PM

As others have touched upon, the issue here may be that subconsciously you can't seem to enjoy anything perceived as exercise. If however you can manage to incorporate more physical activities into your week (without blatantly making it about exercise), it may slowly help your general fitness levels and also burn calories.

For example - Cycling for 30 mins simply as an exercise activity may sound boring and strenuous to you. But if you decided (if possible) to travel to work on a bike and it took 30 mins, your brain may register things slightly differently as that's a commute and not a typical exercise workout.

Similarly, try walking more - lunchtime breaks, go up the stairs instead of lift, etc. Just remove those easy options and pick the ones that get you moving more.

Out on a Sat night at a club? Dance - lots!
Got a dog? Play ball in the park, take it for walks, etc. Exercise for both you and your pet.
Try stretching and other light exercises while watching TV instead of sitting motionless on the sofa.
And if you have a partner, sex is a brilliant way to burn calories.

Be creative.

LegacyUser · 05-10-2019 03:26PM

I'd echo people daying to just walk because it's free plus there's less risk of injury.
I also never exercised in my life but I was/am thin and earlier this year joined the gym to bulk myself up. Long story short i injured myself at the gym from poor form lifting weights i think. I also got a stye on my eye from the pool. Iam now getting massage therapy to fix the painful tightened muscles from the gym! So whn i recover i can tell you all i will ever dare do again is walk. I don't think our bodies were made for all this other stuff or defo some of us just aren't built for it. I was never interested in it and was always skinny. I was tired of people commenting on my weight so i wanted to bulk up. After the pain I've been in i can tell you i am no longer giving a ****. I will just walk abd accept myself as i am. Forget everyone else. Walking in nature is a beautiful and relaxing thing. Get a good waterproof coat and trousers and go for it.

suicide_circus · 05-10-2019 08:41PM

theres small changes you can make.

watch tv or read standing up (yes i'm serious)

can you walk to work/shops?

if i'm doing a smallish grocery shop i walk and bring a rucksack to carry the shopping home.

vigorously wash the car.

incorporate some degree of non sedentaryness into activities you have to do

LegacyUser · 05-10-2019 11:11PM

Hi Guys,

OP here-thank you all for the replies! I really appreciate them

I think the whole exercise obsession is almost a millennial thing-I cant think of a single person under the age of 30 who doesnt have a regularly work out, 90% of the time at the gym.

I occasionally go for walks but unfortunately Irish weather/my timetable doesnt always make this a possibility (I need to get back at it but I used to walk x3-4 a week about 7km at a time-problem was it was at 11pm at night :P I also have to het up at 5.30 am for work-there isnt enough time in the day for a 1.5 hour walk) Also I live in probably the rainiest, windiest part of the country :P Walking I know doesnt exert as much cardio as an individual needs (I know a poster mentioned this earlier) and tbh, in most peoples books, walking does not count as exercise.

When it comes to exercise, the form I hate the most BY FAR is running/jogging. Legit if someone told me I had to run 10km or loose every material possession I own, I'd have very little qualms handing over my front door keys :P I actually dont drive, but cycling/walking to work is 100% not an option Don't have a garden nor a pet. That is closely followed by HIIT-why you would expose yourself to that pain willingly is crazy to me :P

I decided to join a gym (damned peer pressure) but tbh its not working out. I'm finished so late in the evenings going to a gym is the last thing I want to do. And even at that, the experience is miserable-I just use the rowing machine and I walk on the treadmill-I thought it would be a good alternative to when I cannot walk outside for the weather but its so warm in the gym, and crowded, I cant wait for whatever youtube show it is that Im watching to finish (which means I walk less then what I do when I walk outside-the whole experience is just very miserable). But I doubt what I even do should count as exercise, I told a colleague before that I go for walks as my exercise and they rolled their eyes-in today's society it seems exercise is not 'leisurely', its push yourself hard-exert yourself as much as possible. Thats exercise. If your heart isnt pounding it doesn't count.

lastusername · 06-10-2019 10:00AM

LazyOP wrote: »

Hi Guys,

OP here-thank you all for the replies! I really appreciate them I think the whole exercise obsession is almost a millennial thing-I cant think of a single person under the age of 30 who doesnt have a regularly work out, 90% of the time at the gym.

I occasionally go for walks but unfortunately Irish weather/my timetable doesnt always make this a possibility (I need to get back at it but I used to walk x3-4 a week about 7km at a time-problem was it was at 11pm at night :P I also have to het up at 5.30 am for work-there isnt enough time in the day for a 1.5 hour walk) Also I live in probably the rainiest, windiest part of the country :P Walking I know doesnt exert as much cardio as an individual needs (I know a poster mentioned this earlier) and tbh, in most peoples books, walking does not count as exercise.

When it comes to exercise, the form I hate the most BY FAR is running/jogging. Legit if someone told me I had to run 10km or loose every material possession I own, I'd have very little qualms handing over my front door keys :P I actually dont drive, but cycling/walking to work is 100% not an option Don't have a garden nor a pet. That is closely followed by HIIT-why you would expose yourself to that pain willingly is crazy to me :P

I decided to join a gym (damned peer pressure) but tbh its not working out. I'm finished so late in the evenings going to a gym is the last thing I want to do. And even at that, the experience is miserable-I just use the rowing machine and I walk on the treadmill-I thought it would be a good alternative to when I cannot walk outside for the weather but its so warm in the gym, and crowded, I cant wait for whatever youtube show it is that Im watching to finish (which means I walk less then what I do when I walk outside-the whole experience is just very miserable). But I doubt what I even do should count as exercise, I told a colleague before that I go for walks as my exercise and they rolled their eyes-in today's society it seems exercise is not 'leisurely', its push yourself hard-exert yourself as much as possible. Thats exercise. If your heart isnt pounding it doesn't count.

OP, why on earth would you do something you absolutely don't want to do?!

Just because everyone else is doing it (and of course not everyone is, it just seems like it), doesn't mean you have to!

How crazy is it to feel you (not you specifically, just talking generally) should do something you don't want to do, just because other people feel it's something you have to do?

Why would you care what counts as exercise in other people's books? People have opinions about all sorts of stuff that likely don't match with yours, but you don't care about those, do you?

You are not other people and nobody else is living your life...just you!

If you ever feel compelled to get that heart rate up, good for you. If not, then fine - have the odd walk. There are other ways to be healthy too. Working out all the time doesn't necessarily make you any healthier than someone who doesn't, by the way.

For me, getting a bit wet is never a goal, but sure so what - you'll be dry and warm again soon

If you like walking, go for a short walk if you prefer - I enjoy it myself but I go for more frequent walks than longer walks.

santana75 · 07-10-2019 08:01PM

Inherently Lazy wrote: »

but IDK how to make myself not hate it. I want to want to exercise, to keep fit and healthy-but I just haaaaaaaate it so much.

I think the issue is with how you see things. Dont do exercise to "Keep fit", dont even do exercise. The gym is a toxic philosophy. The most unhappy people you'll see are those sitting on exercise machines in the gym with a one thousand yard, dead stare on their faces. So dont feel like you have to go to the gym at all, because you dont. You dont have to run, you dont have to "work-out", you dont have to do any of it. Just look at kids, they dont go to the gym, yet most kids are naturally very fit. Kids play, thats how they are fit in the first place. So if you do anythng physical make sure youre playing, not working out, not working up a sweat, or making gainz or any of that. Just look to have fun. Dancers are the fittest people you'll ever meet and also the happiest. They dance because its fun, not to stay in shape. Dancers would dance even if it didnt keep them fit. Always look to kids for your inspiration, not adults because adults have forgotten what it means to really live.

Sunny Dayz · 08-10-2019 10:16AM

Don't mind what anyone else thinks or says!
Once you are getting your heart rate up and keep your walk brisk then it's a good form of exercise IMO. I love going for a walk and chatting with a friend or on my own listening to a podcast.
You don't have to be good or fast or strong for it to count as exercise. I run. In many people's eyes I'm probably too slow, not putting in the effort, miles behind everyone else. But I enjoy it (most of the time). I'm happy with my progress over the years, I enjoy following a training plan and having races and goals to work towards.

Actually I'll echo the previous poster's comments about dancing. I've noticed in my part of the country jive and social dancing classes have gotten very popular. We did dance lessons years ago before we got married and it was a serious workout! And it was great fun and it was nice to know that we could waltz and jive a few steps when we were at weddings but but I've forgotten a lot of it now.

Sheog · 08-10-2019 01:09PM

I'm going to give you a bit of tough love here op... you seem to have many many excuses as to why you 'can't' or won't for each of the helpful suggestions you are getting. Some part of you obviously wants to get some form or regular exercise, but it seems that you are getting in your own way before giving yourself a chance.

You'll need to try different things to figure out what works for you and give yourself a few weeks at it before you make up your mind. No exercise is AMAZING the first time you try it.

I absolutely HATE the gym myself and I have tried various ones over the years. I have decided that it just isn't for me, but I do enjoy classes like Boxfit and Dancefit. I try to get out for a run a few times a week but it is always a battle to motivate myself to get out the door. Once my runners are on though that is half the battle. I never regret a run, even if it's a short run or if it's lashing rain etc. Actually when the weather is bad I get more satisfaction out of it. (A bit of smugness if you will!) What works for me too is to organise to do something with a friend. I am far less likely to let a friend down then I am to chicken out if it's just myself.

Maybe if you try to change your mindset away from the hate and dread and more towards the mindset that moving more is the best thing you can do for your long term health and wellness, that might help? Hope you find your thing op!

I Hate Exercise

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