5/6/08

Let me admit something...

I HATE EXERCISE!

Always have, always will and always lacked the motivation to do any.

We even have a spare room at the back of our garage, all decked out as a small gym with an Ab' machine, Treadmill, Bench, Weights, DVD Player and A/C unit. I also have a lovely mountain bike we bought last year and actually I do venture out on that, as it is fun, but not often enough.

I need to exercise, this is the message we are all being given daily now in the media and our Dr's offices. It's just sooo hard to get started and then keep doing it regularly!

I need help people..those of you that do exercise, how do you stay motivated, what gets you on that treadmill? I need idea's please?

12 comments:

Katrina Chambers said...

Hi Sarah! I am hearing you loud and clear! I love it while I am doing it (well in moderation haha) and I love how I feel after it, but I CANNOT get motivated to do it either. I will keep trying though :)

Sandi McBride said...

I once had a lovely treadmill
it did my walking for me
now it sits in condemnation
and sulking, just waits for me

Sorry, no help here...yard work is my life lol
Sandi

Rhea said...

Exercise is hard to get started, always, but I crave that feeling I get afterwards...endorphins and that feeling I've accomplished something good. I physically just feel great.

I walk on the treadmill a lot, and I always have good music on the iPod (or an audio book) or a hard book to read propped up...or a TV show to watch. Something to distract me.

Another idea is an actual class like water aerobics or kick boxing.

But, what really helps me is to keep reading articles on all the good things exercise does for me. If you print out those articles and keep them in a folder...read them every time you need motivation and then think about what you're doing for your body as you exercise...it's a mental game, really, and you just need to train your brain.

Janet said...

The only advantage to exercising every day is that you die healthier. :-)

Whenever I get the urge to exercise I lie down until it passes off.

Stacy at Exceedingly Mundane said...

I hate it too. Hate, loathe and despise doing it. Don't feel good during or after. However, I LOVE to eat, so I do try to do some. Plus, we just bought a treadmill a couple of months ago and that expense is hanging over me like a huge black cloud. Sigh. I hate getting on the thing though. I haven't lost a pound either.

Hope you get some good tips and motivation :)

Unknown said...

Katrina, Sandi, Janet, Stacy - thank god I am not alone being a lazy cow! I am going to try harder and get on that darned treadmill this week!

Rhea - first of all WTG you! Thanks for the good advice on the articles, that's a great tip. As for classes, usual problem there are none what with living in the back of beyond!

Please keep the idea's or sympathy coming....

Mx said...

I covet your exercise room!

I started up again on the treadmill a few weeks ago and began getting massive calf and thigh cramps at night. I think I shouldn't have lied to the treadmill by telling it I was fifty-two instead of harumpt%&%#.ty-two

No hints for you about kick starting your health program....but when you do start....

Be honest with the machines....

Anonymous said...

I used to do 30 minutes a day on a treadmill and lost 65 lbs that way. I walked on that thing till it quit, then the weight slowly but surely crept back on.

They told me I had diabetes. Turns out I didn't and that was my motivation...I can't seem to find the motivation now...
Sound like you've got a nice spot though.☺

Sherri said...

Sarah, I can't get motivated about exercising either. One thing that might help is pick a machine that you like the most and make yourself get on it and as Nike says, "Just do it"! Sorry I'm not being much help at all. I do walk after dinner anywhere from 2 miles to 4.5 most days.

Expat mum said...

I agree with Rhea - you need a TV in there too. I have a room with eliptical thingy and treadmill and I deliberately pick a time when there's something I know will keep me on there. The View is on at 10am here and the first half hour is usually pretty good.
If I don't have a TV to watch I start bartering with the devil to cut the time short!

Mmm said...

Getting to it regularly is the snag. I'm afraid I'm rubbish at that too, however, I do have two big shephards who need regular walks so have treid to take that over and want to do it daily, weather permitting. My wife read that I should be consuming actually about 600 calories less a day and both of us need to walk 3.5-4 miles a day to boot! not fair! Ahhh...the days when I took my rapid metabolism for granted, but no more!

Julie said...

I have been there! I lost over 60 pounds a few years ago, I understand the hatred. What keeps me still going is my iPod. I download my favorite shows that I never have time to watch at home, Desperate Housewives, Dirt, CSI, all the good ones, and watch them at the gym. Its the only time I can enjoy them without the hubby interrupting it with Deadliest Catch or something like that. Just change things up, indulge in your guilty media pleasures, TV shows or People magazine, whatever. There's no guilt at the gym because you are doing yourself a some good! Good luck!