[indigo1015]

I know I've moaned and complained about this in the past, but I really hate exercising... and I really need to motivate myself to do it; everyday I am tired and stressed and sore, and I know that exercise would help all those things. At least, that's what I'm hoping. I've been scrolling through various blogs and websites that provide so-called "motivation" for exercising. Honestly, I've heard all these cliches before, and they don't work for me.

The first and foremost one on everyone's list: You are motivated to exercise because you know you should. Ha. This has never been a big motivator for me; if it were, I'd have done it a long time ago. I mean, is that a motivator in ANY instance? Just because you know you SHOULD do something, doesn't make it any more enticing.

Another so-called motivator: You are motivated because exercising makes you feel soooo good afterwards. No it doesn't - admittedly, I sometimes feel great WHILE I am exercising, but that is not the emotion that sticks. What sticks is how I feel AFTER I have exercised, which is exhausted, sore, gross and often, embarrassed. I tried a Zumba class a few months ago at this trendy gym in downtown Denver. Not only was everyone WAYYYYY thinner than me, but the instructor must have had more than the average share of coffee that morning or something, because the routine was absolutely exhausting (for all the other women as well, but especially for me). It was Torture Zumba. I actually had to take a break in the middle of it, because I was ready to vomit. I was so humiliated that I never returned to that gym. Ever. In the past, it has gotten to the point where the resulting pain and fatigue interfered with me being able to perform necessary activities (such as going to work or classes), especially when I was exercising on a regular basis. It never makes me feel better, it usually makes me feel worse.

Another cliche I hear often is: You are motivated to exercise when you have friends who exercise. Well, I suppose that works if you actually HAVE friends in the area; currently, I know no one in Estes Park other than co-workers, nor am I about to know anyone, because soon, I will be moving to Fort Collins. And frankly, most of my friends in the past haven't been fitness-oriented, because why would fitness-oriented gals hang with me?

Yet another cliche: You are motivated to exercise because it is good for you, regardless of how you look. Really??? Are you serious??? I don't want to be a healthy fat person, because frankly, that's kind of pathetic to me. I've been healthy and overweight before, and it's very embarrassing. Obviously, a skinny person wrote that one.

Also, in all fairness, I can't afford to join a gym right now. Never mind the fact that I loathe gyms, I honestly can't afford the membership fees while I'm looking for an apartment and trying to find a job down in Fort Collins. Moreover, I will have very little time to spend at a gym this fall - I'm going to be taking night courses to become a pharmacy technician. One thing I've considered doing is buying a bike off of Craigslist and biking everywhere - to work, to school, etc., since Fort Collins is a VERY bike-friendly city.

Yes, I am aware that this sounds like an excuse to justify my laziness and reticence to work out. I'm sure there's some truth to that, but what I intended to do in this post is explain, systematically, why I am not motivated, and ask everyone if they could suggest other tips for motivation. Please help :-)

[Moodswing]

Strong is the new skinny. Go walk into a Crossfit gym. Search for one in your area. It will change your life.

[yellowfrog268]

Like the bike idea. Also, so many people think that starting an exercise program means joining a gym and committing to working out a certain number of days per week. This is ridiculous. Take a walk, do simple stretches such as touching your toes, Google search exercises that are gentle and can be done in the privacy of your own home using only your own body or common household items. Check out this website for ideas: BBC - Norfolk Features - Exercises to do at home

Good luck

[TatorTot]

I hated exercising alot until I read this book called "younger next year" there is one for women and one for men. It changed my life and my attitude about exercising. Bet it will for you too!!

[BlackPup]

I find it easy to keep going once I start and starting is the problem. I bought an exercise bike and have it in front of the tv. I do it because exercising every day helps my mood. I'm a lot less depressed when I'm exercising regularly. Even if all you do is walk for half an hour it helps with depression.