[imaginethat]

It's good for your mood and brain functioning and weight and more.... We all know that. But do you actually do it?

I'm a cyclic exerciser. I've been through periods where I walked, lifted weights, treadmilled, hiked, and practiced vinyasa yoga. Yes, I felt a little better, but these things didn't help me lose weight (which is my main goal). I think that if I spend an hour every day exercising, I should shed weight, especially if I'm eating right.

Perhaps having a goal of losing weight by exercising is unrealistic. Or perhaps I'm not willing to invest an hour a day plus 8 hours on the weekend to exercise (or call it "get active" if you wish").

Do you avoid exercise like the plague even though it would make many things better? I don't know how to get over the hump.

The typical advice (JUST walk, do yoga at home, workout to an online class, take a class, join a gym, get a workout buddy, etc.) hasn't worked for me long term even though I've tried these things.

Any statement that begins with "JUST" absolutely demotivates and angers me and actually makes me want to lie around and eat donuts all day in protest. It's like what the hell? If it were SO easy, I'd already be doing it.

[*Beth*]

When I was younger I danced, cycled, did weight training (I loved that), and did some running. All on a regular basis.

After some accidents and several injuries, I cut way back on my exercise routines. For the past 3 years I've had major pain issues with an Achilles tendon, which I finally had surgery to repair in May. My leg was in casts for 4 months.

Sooo...I'm at a point right now at which I am learning, in essence, to walk normally again. So far, I've been able to walk about 1/4 of a block. It's steady, but slow.

Why, are you having a difficult time with exercise? There's a sense in our culture of "shame on you if you don't exercise for 90 minutes every day." But I'm not sure it's for everyone.

[imaginethat]

Originally Posted by BethRags

When I was younger I danced, cycled, did weight training (I loved that), and did some running. All on a regular basis.

After some accidents and several injuries, I cut way back on my exercise routines. For the past 3 years I've had major pain issues with an Achilles tendon, which I finally had surgery to repair in May. My leg was in casts for 4 months.

Sooo...I'm at a point right now at which I am learning, in essence, to walk normally again. So far, I've been able to walk about 1/4 of a block. It's steady, but slow.

Why, are you having a difficult time with exercise? There's a sense in our culture of "shame on you if you don't exercise for 90 minutes every day." But I'm not sure it's for everyone.

I do feel shame that I don't exercise like people suggest. I not only want to improve my mood, but I need to lose a lot of weight. I feel like if I don't, say, walk 3 or more miles a day, I won't lose weight.

Also, I've gained so much weight that I'm truly embarrassed to be seen. I know, no one cares. If they do notice me, they'll go back to their gardening. Logically, this makes sense.

[guy1111]

Ya, I hear you on the JUST b.s. It's like ya, we get it. Just diet and exercise. Thanks for the tip!

But seriously, I was going to suggest trying posting on a health forum, but after hearing your last part, it sounds like you struggle more with a self-defeating mindset. It may be linked to your self-esteem. You might want to consider researching ways to improve your self-esteem. People don't realize it's a part of you that can be damaged and repaired every day. It's like the mental version of your immune system. When it's down, you let in viruses (untrue thoughts about your body image, etc). When it is strong, you can easily block these thoughts and move forward and make better decisions.

Hope that helps some.

[FluffyDinosaur]

No, I do NOT not exercise.

Besides the regular stuff like taking the stairs or walking instead of driving, my experience is that the only way that I can keep up exercise in the long term is if it's something that I actually enjoy. That way, when I go to do it, it feels like I'm going out to have fun or relax rather than to do some kind of chore. For me this works well with things like rock climbing, or "game" sports like hockey, tennis, basketball, etc. These things feel like play rather than work. I don't even really notice that it's making me sweat if I'm enjoying it enough. It also helps if I have regularly scheduled trainings so that there's some structure to it and the goal of getting better.

Running, going to the gym; these things have never worked for me. There's no fun factor to it and no point. It's just incredibly boring and feels like I'm a hamster trapped inside a wheel. That's why I always quit running after a few weeks/months. I know some people do find pleasure in these activities, but I don't. In my opinion, going out to exercise with a goal like losing weight or getting healthy is a losing battle.

[Mountaindewed]

I plan on starting to run as soon as possible. I’ve been wanting to be able to do it for 14 years.

[Soupe du jour]

Imaginethat, I have been a cyclic exerciser these past 20 years, too. But when I do exercise, I can be an exercise fiend. As a child through young adult, I was always exercising. Like BethRags, dancing was a passion of mine. At its height, I took seven or eight dance classes per week in evenings and Saturdays. And danced at home when not in classes. I loved riding my bike and walked pretty much everywhere.

Bipolar depression and/or work stress (especially in an office environment) could almost paralyze me, at times. Medication sedation wasn't helpful, either.

At this moment, my physical activity is extremely high, but I am not doing typical deliberate exercise, like running, aerobics, or biking. I am rather doing physical labor, but that counts. I hope that after my upcoming move to Europe, I will take advantage of the many walking and biking trails there. We plan to only have one car, so I should walk a lot more there, too.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by Soupe du jour

Imaginethat, I have been a cyclic exerciser these past 20 years, too. But when I do exercise, I can be an exercise fiend. As a child through young adult, I was always exercising. Like BethRags, dancing was a passion of mine. At its height, I took seven or eight dance classes per week in evenings and Saturdays. And danced at home when not in classes. I loved riding my bike and walked pretty much everywhere.

Bipolar depression and/or work stress (especially in an office environment) could almost paralyze me, at times. Medication sedation wasn't helpful, either.

At this moment, my physical activity is extremely high, but I am not doing typical deliberate exercise, like running, aerobics, or biking. I am rather doing physical labor, but that counts. I hope that after my upcoming move to Europe, I will take advantage of the many walking and biking trails there. We plan to only have one car, so I should walk a lot more there, too.

I often have to stop and remind myself that physical labor counts as exercise. I'll tend to do some serious household chores, then beat up on myself for not taking a long walk. In reality, doing the chores I'm using my entire body, not just my legs.

And yes - in my experience, walking in Europe is common and so much easier and more pleasant than walking in most places in the States.

[fern46]

I exercise, but the intensity level cycles. For me, it is mostly driven by my perception of my self image. I reached a point where I was really happy with myself and I work to maintain that. I find I am in a state of dissatisfaction with myself when I am not where I want to be.

On the one hand, having a goal in mind is a good thing. It keeps me motivated. On the other, I tend to hyperfocus at times and lose sight of the main goal of simply being healthy and balanced. I lose the enjoyment and view it as work. I'm trying to break that cycle and just find ways each day to have fun and do the self care tasks that leave me feeling my best.

There is no 'just'. Our bodies and minds are in a constant state of change. What works for each person differs and what works in one moment may be completely ineffective the next. I think the most important thing is to be self aware and to take ownership of our choices. There is always room to improve and opportunity for greater self love and self care. The perspective we adopt is so very important and, at least for me, it is time that I change how I view exercise.

[bpcyclist]

Wisdom above, as usual.

Forgetting about this new molecule I have been developing, which is in another league entirely, for me, exercise, aerobic exercise, regularly practiced is likely as effective for me as Wellbutrin, lithium, an AP, and Provigil or low-dose Adderall combined are. Beyond critical in me.

For me, it really must be fun. So, cycling and runnong are that. I do love cleaning, too.

Rowing, walking, hiking, swimming, gardening, can also be good. Find something fun. Climb rock walls at one of those rock wall places. Something

[Fuzzybear]

I exercise more when I am less dissatisfied with myself. Which maybe is not that often...

[*Beth*]

imaginethat, I also feel very self-conscious when I walk during the day. I hate how self-conscious I feel. It's ridiculous, I know. But I feel it churning in my stomach. Hate it.

[wildflowerchild25]

Tbh, I despise exercising. It is SO BORING. I used to go to the gym and use the recumbent bike. I would watch an episode of a half hour show, but it was still like when can I STOP. And not out of exhaustion, just purely out of not wanting to be there. I guess I just hate exercising alone, really, because I had no problem going on long walks with my family during the summer and exploring new trails and stuff. But god forbid I go on a walk by myself. Even with music I just gave up because it was so boring.

Right now I’m not willing to go to a class even if they were being held because of covid. Maybe in the future I’ll try but for now it’s just not on the radar.

[MuddyBoots]

I do NOT exercise ~23 hours of the day. I usually walk/run the other hour

[RoxanneToto]

I don’t exercise, but my job as a housekeeper keeps me active enough that I feel ok about not doing anything physical at home. I used to love going on walks, but I’ve run into one too many jerks who have made me feel unsafe in the last few years, even though my village is quiet.

[*Beth*]

Originally Posted by RoxanneToto

I don’t exercise, but my job as a housekeeper keeps me active enough that I feel ok about not doing anything physical at home. I used to love going on walks, but I’ve run into one too many jerks who have made me feel unsafe in the last few years, even though my village is quiet.

That stinks. I'm sorry. No woman deserves such treatment.

[imaginethat]

Originally Posted by guy1111

... it sounds like you struggle more with a self-defeating mindset. It may be linked to your self-esteem. You might want to consider researching ways to improve your self-esteem. People don't realize it's a part of you that can be damaged and repaired every day. It's like the mental version of your immune system. When it's down, you let in viruses (untrue thoughts about your body image, etc). When it is strong, you can easily block these thoughts and move forward and make better decisions.

Hope that helps some.

guy111, my self esteem is fairly low. I'm stronger than I used to be and need to find ways to strengthen myself. I remember reading a book simply called Self Esteem. It's probably worth rereading.

That's a great analogy about letting in viruses! I like imagery like that.

[imaginethat]

Originally Posted by wildflowerchild25

Tbh, I despise exercising. It is SO BORING....

Right now I’m not willing to go to a class even if they were being held because of covid. Maybe in the future I’ll try but for now it’s just not on the radar.

I so identify with you. That's exactly how I feel. I've tried listening to audio books, podcasts, music, focusing on my breathing. Nothing helps. It's very demotivating. Thanks for sharing your thoughts

[imaginethat]

Originally Posted by wildflowerchild25

Tbh, I despise exercising. It is SO BORING....

Right now I’m not willing to go to a class even if they were being held because of covid. Maybe in the future I’ll try but for now it’s just not on the radar.

I so identify with you. That's exactly how I feel. I've tried listening to audio books, podcasts, music, focusing on my breathing. Nothing helps. It's very demotivating. Thanks for sharing your thoughts

[Trippin2.0]

I'm allergic to exercise.

I recently started getting soft around my abdomen and instead of doing crunches I bought this EMS thing that pulses the and into submission.

That's how badly I don't want to exercise.

I've never been overweight so never felt the need to, looks like I'll be paying for this allergy if my new an toy doesn't work.

[Mood and stars]

Excercise is a real struggle. I am now overweight and feel disgusting. I do excercise because I did make it a ha it, but I’m fat which makes it harder. I look at it as meds that I must take if that helps. I do 30 min at least 3 times a week. I commute so that really takes a lot of times ok, I want to continue rambling so I will stop. Maybe that helps? As meds?

exercise and my out of control fibro does not go well together. sometimes just walking is enough to make me fall to the floor.

I prefer simpler things like leaning across to pick up a mug or turn up the volyume on my music

I can't say I'm that bothered about my weight, either- sure, it contributes to my BDD, but I have never had the focus, or a goal to lose any. if I was training for a marathon, then sure. but my life just consists of many boring samy minits

I know that all sounds terrible, but I can't see myself ever becoming an exercise freak