who loves exercise...?
what is the secret to loving to exercise? i really hate it and hate to get sweaty. i'm trying to find people who love it to tell me the secret.
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I, too, share your dislike of exercising. However, I have a word of advice "If you change the way you look at things, the things around you will change." In other words, change the way you look at exercise, and you may find it isn't so bad after all. I had surgery on my foot in January. That coupled with the normal holiday weight gain has brought my an extra 25 pounds that I do not like at all. I would do anything to be able to go out and do a five mile walk daily (like I used to do routinely). However, since I am still healing from the surgery, I cannot. I tried just walking two miles earlier in the week and ended up with a swollen ankle. I am actually looking forward to more strenuous exercise. Take away the ability and exercise and all of a sudden, you want to do it!!! So, I am trying to do just small amounts of cardio daily and started lifting free weights again, and I will gradually build back my strength and health. You don't have to go to a gym and work out for an hour to see the benefits. Start with just 10 minutes of cardio and weight lifting a couple times a day and build on that. Pretty soon, it will become a habit, and you will see the benefits.
I think you'll find that the more you excercise, the more you'll like it. Not only will you see results in the long term, but in the short term, when you excercise hard enough, endorphins are dumped into your system. Those are the wonderful "feel good" peptides that bind to parts of your brain (opiate receptors) and make you feel good. It's like a natural high.
That isn't to say you should excercise especially hard, but a "just hard enough" work out does wonders for your mood.
Very true. I've recently started walking again, something I used to do daily, and now I am again. I make sure to stretch first and after, a bit. I walk to my post office, about 5 or 6 streets away, and it used to take me an hour, there and back. Now it only takes about 40 minutes and I know my legs must be getting stronger, as well as my heart, because it feels good to get out there and walk. When we have a day when I can't take my walk, I miss it. Oh, and I found, just another half a street further, there's a really nice little used book store (so now I also use my backpack:) and they have a nice variety of herbal teas and handmade items for sale there, as well as cheap books... bonus! That is my reward for my walking, that and good health.
I also meant to add, and just realized that I didn't... that it's so true about those feel good endorphins! After taking my daily walk, I feel really great. Just so much happier and have so much more energy. And I am one who sometimes suffers from depression (not on any meds for it), so this is great to have started walking again and found something not only so good for my body, but for my whole feeling of well- being, for my spirit. Something so simple and enjoying. And it doesn't cost nothing:) Hope you all have a really good day!
I know what you're saying. For me, it's all about developing a habit. There seems to be a 4-6 week threshold, where, if I get to that point then I actually WANT to exercise. The first month is really hard, because you feel worse instead of better. :)
Also, I think after having a baby, the time at the gym feels so good - something that's just for me. So maybe it is partly a mind-set thing. If you think of it as something you're doing for yourself, to be good to yourself (rather than hard work), it really helps you enjoy it.
New Mom in Chicago
It also helps to find a workout that you enjoy. There are literally dozens of things a person can do to get in shape. Yoga, pilates, cycling, spinning, aerobics, jazzercise, jogging, handball, tennis... you get the idea. The way I've been taught (as a soon-to-be personal trainer) is to combine strength training with aerobic conditioning and flexibility. Find a combination of exercises that touch all these areas--something fun that you enjoy and will continue to do--and you're well on your way to fitness!
Since I've had my 2 kids, I refuse to exercise. I get enough running up and down two flights of stairs, I lift weights by constantly picking up those two, and since my oldest ate the rocking chair and we had to throw it out, I get my crunches from rocking the other in place!
awesome! what about cardio?
Cardio is great! What do you need to know?
I usually try to do cardio at least 3 times a week, usually more. I started at 20 minutes and progressively moved up as weeks went on. I'm still not as high as I'd like to be--which is an hour per session--but slow and steady get there.
The thing to remember is balance. Thinking that one type of excercise is going to attain all the goals you want is incorrect. Strength, endurance, and flexibility--in balance--is the key to fitness.
If you want to know how to love exercise than learn how to have some fun in the process. For example when you jog or walk bring along your ipod and listen to your favorite tunes. Or change your exercise routines so you don't get bored. Also if you hate sweating as much as I do than hit the shower for five minutes after you exercise. It's soo worth the time and effort because not only will you look better but you will actually feel better. Personally, I have made a daily routine for exercise and it has made me a better person overall. So twenty to thirty minutes a day is all you need and I guarantee you will appreciate exercise and it's benefits.
The i-pod is a great idea. Throwing on some tunes that will make you feel pumped or inpsire you to go all out--there's no better way to feel motivated. I have a playlist of songs I work out to regularly, songs that consistantly get my blood pumping, and it really helps me make it through long workouts.
Studies have shown that people who listen to music while exercising tend to increase the intensity of their workout without even realising it. Grab some favorites and have a blast!