Feel the burn
Dec 1st 2008
RachelGOn Writing!
I hate exercising. It’s sweaty and boring and gives me cramps in my hamstrings. I wish I loved it. I’ve always wanted to be one of those people who loves to jog. I see them running around and they look so healthy. A few years ago, I even bought really cute jogging shoes as an incentive to get out there and run my butt off. I made it about half a block before I had to sit on the curb with my head between my legs so I wouldn’t pass out. The neighborhood kids were really impressed.
In my blog last Friday, I shared several examples of the benefits of not exercising. Not being shot across the gym by the Abductor thigh tightening machine was just one of those examples. In past six years, I have joined six different gyms. I always join in January but quit by March. The sad truth is that this is the time of year when I always pack on weight. Then I spend the next five months dieting. This year though, I want to do things differently. I just joined Weight Watchers online and I’m thinking of taking dance classes. Maybe jazz or tap. Mr. G suggested pole dancing classes. Those girls have to have a lot of upper body strength. At least that’s his argument in favor of the stripper pole.
So my question to everyone is: how do you learn to love exercise. Or do you? Is there a fun way? Or at that very least, non painful?
40 Comments »
evlqn on 01 Dec 2008 at 3:28 am #
Rachel, don’t know about other people but for myself, I never learned to love exercise. I always felt that if deity had meant for me to exercise I would have been born with a lifetime membership to Gold’s Gym and Christie Brinkley’s body. I wasn’t so he didn’t and I don’t. Simple.
Now if you are looking for a fun way to exercise, get an old Ricard Simmons tape and Sweat to the Oldies. Added benefit, you save gym fees, and none of those 19 year old size 1 bimbettes give you that pitying look when you collapse beside the elliptical machine.
PJane1031 on 01 Dec 2008 at 4:10 am #
Rachel, I’m with evlqn. . . .I’ve never learned to ‘love’ exercise, though I have been motivated from time to time in the past. . . my biggest problem is that ‘life happens’ and I find reasons to NOT go. . . .and I do need to get back to it. . .
I did start taking Swing Dancing lessons in 2004, and that sort-of made up for me not getting to the gym as much, and I absolutely love it!!! I found a place about an hour away that you didn’t need a partner to take the classes and just had a blast! I’m pleased to say I’ve gotten fairly competent in the sytles I’ve started learning, and there’s so much more out there that I want to do! Unfortunately, work has gotten in the way the past year, and I don’t get out as often as I used to, but I try!!!
I did find this link, not sure if any of the info on the site would be helpful for you: http://www.idahoswingdance.org/
Julia London on 01 Dec 2008 at 5:02 am #
I despise exercising. But I do it almost every day because if I didn’t, you could strap a pair of longhorns on me and I would be the Univ. of Texas mascot. Those are some big-ass bulls.
I have an ellpitical at home, a bunch of Firm tapes (I swear there is nothing better for getting weight off and keeping it off) and I am faithful wogger — 4x a week. It’s ugly, I hate it, but I find I miss it if I don’t do it.
Rachel, I am on WW online. joined over a year ago and lost 30 pounds. I think its a great and easy program!
Laurie G on 01 Dec 2008 at 5:55 am #
Well, I’m one of those who love to exercise. I actually feel bad if I miss a day. I swim for an hour almost every morning, ( work occasionally makes me swim in the evenings).
I also walk 5 miles most days.
Before having 4 kids I used to run everyday. I had to switch to walking due to varicose veins.
Mentally ,I crave the physical activity. It must be the endorphins!
I also love ice cream & chocolate…so maybe there’s a mental trade off for that too!
Marisa on 01 Dec 2008 at 6:44 am #
Exercise? What’s that? I’ve tried for the past 5 years to get into a routine. The first day I’m all about how this is going to be a new start for me and change my life. By about day three, move over Rachel and make some room on that curb for me.
So now, I do things like move the remote control for the TV into the next room. I have to walk so many steps if I want to change the channel. (of course many an evening I can be found watching 2 hours of an informercial on how to get rid of unwanted facial hair).
Or I put my clothes in different rooms of the house so when I get dressed in the morning I have to walk to find my socks and then walk some more to find my pants. You get the idea. I also put everything that I use on a daily basis on the very top shelves of all my closets, stretching is a very good form of exercise.
And of course when I’m food shopping I always forget to bring my list. This way I have to run all over the market to finish my shopping. It gets my heart rate up.
Lisa H on 01 Dec 2008 at 7:41 am #
Rachel I used to love to exercise. I used to walk 3miles, 5 times a week. I was in great shape, and felt good. Now I’ve packed on 30lbs, but can’t exercise because Ihave a three year old and no time. He doesn’t like to sit in the strolller and won’t stay with anyone except his father (who is never home)
I feel unhappy, because all I want is to walk, but until he heads to school, its probably not going to happen.
Freshechelle on 01 Dec 2008 at 7:45 am #
I look at joggers and think there’s a lucky orthopedic surgeon in their future.
jessie on 01 Dec 2008 at 7:49 am #
I have never learned to love exercise, either, though there are long stretches of time where I will go to the gym regularly. Then, as it seems with everyone else, life interferes and my routine falls by the wayside.
What’s always worked for me as far as actually getting to the gym (I’m way too embarrassed to just get outside and run/walk/wog) is not thinking about going. If I just schedule the gym as part of my day and say, “Okay, what’s next on the list? The gym. Okay, let’s go,” then I am so much more likely to go, than if I said, “Well, I have some free time. Should probably go to the gym. Or I could watch House reruns. Or get on The Goddess Blogs. Or do anything else besides put on exercise clothes and get in the car.”
Really, it’s all mental. If you even think about maybe not going, you won’t go. So just don’t even let the thought enter your brain. Just think that not exercising is not an option.
My mom’s been really stressed about her weight, so we are going to go to the gym together during my Christmas break. Maybe I can continue the habit when I return to school.
Becky on 01 Dec 2008 at 7:59 am #
I hate to run with a passion. I will only do so if being chased by someone or something trying to kill me. But I was a swimmer msot of my life, so that is what I do to exercise. It may seem boring to some, but it’s not very painful and is a fantastic work out.
That or I just walk. Not run, but just walk. I focus on long, quick strides that let me ‘feel the burn’ where it counts…my backside and thighs.
cail on 01 Dec 2008 at 8:03 am #
we tend to take walks for exercise, and every once in a while go for a run. I’m getting better at the running stuff, but its really painful even with a few support bras… sigh. but as i said, i’m definitely better than I used to be. we also hike and ski depending on the weather.
LisaK on 01 Dec 2008 at 8:16 am #
My best friend’s father owns a gym only two villages away from here and I can go there for free (I used to go at least three times a week, but lately I don’t have so much time and twice is maximum) - and I love it!
I’m not the sporty kind of person and my thighs are far from lean, but I’m getting muscles and strength by doing all the exercise. Let alone the fun company - I’ve been going there since I was fifteen and they all view me as some kind of their baby there. Really. They’re honest-to-goodness Bavarian musclemen, the kind you can be really scared of, and they’re as protecting over me as some mother hen.
And that’s how I came to love exercising!
amy1242 on 01 Dec 2008 at 8:44 am #
I loved to work out when I was young and fit. Now, that I’m older and have given birth several times, not so much. It feels good when i finish a workout, but getting the motivation going can be somewhat troublesome. There’s always something more important to do and not enough time in the day to get it all done. I keep thinking that life will slow down at some point, but it never does. I do eat healthy and I wog, do sit-ups and lunges, but need to work on my wimpy arms. Since August, I’ve lost 26 pounds. So I am getting healthier. I don’t mind the eating right part, but the exercising is a constant battle with my inner self. To motivate myself, I look at my ass in the mirror, shake my head, and put on my wogging shoes.
elsiehogarth on 01 Dec 2008 at 8:51 am #
I never had to exercise or diet in my life until 10 years ago…..when I hit 40 everything changed. I don’t even recognize the body I have. It all had to do with my metabolisim changing with the age per my doctor. Another thing he said is that I had to exercise at least 1 hour a day for the rest of my life. Great news! I do walk but I get bored so I try to find different tapes that will keep my attention. The best ones: Dancing with the Stars, Jillian MIchaels: Shred, Brazilian Dance, Gilad(sometimes I just sit there and watch him because he is so good looking) and of course Richard Simmons Sweatin’ to the Oldies.
Karen Hawkins on 01 Dec 2008 at 9:14 am #
Rachel, great topic! I need the motivation.
amy, congrats on your weight loss! That’s AWESOME!
And LisaK, I want to go to YOUR gym. Mine is full of teenagers wearing make-up and talking on their iphones.
Huzzah to our walking peeps! That’s the best exercise ever and they say that so long as you mix it up with the speed, you can get a complete, tummy trimming workout.
I hate exercise … until I’m done and then I love it. I love the feeling of being really tired afterwards, and that little ‘exercise high’ you get when you sweat. I’m going to start working out again. I used to be trim, but I’ve gotten chunky as my relationship has gotten better . . . Happy Fat is still fat.
Ayse on 01 Dec 2008 at 9:27 am #
I did the whole gym thing for a year. I went 4x a week, watched what I ate, joined classes like spinning and fitbox, lost 9 pounds the 1st 3 months and then it stopped. My trainer was like oh you’re gaining muscle now (like I want muscle. He had a difficult time understanding that I like being curvy in certain places
Once you stop, you gain back more argh. I lost more weight eating more, but being active and happy during my 2 week vacation in NY.
Although I can only read during warm up and cool down 
its definitely gotten me to stay on the treadmill longer.
I’ve finally accepted that as long as I have an office job I won’t be as slim as I used to be.
My gym membership expires December 30th (woohoo). I won’t be renewing!
I am slowly preparing myself for life w/o the gym :). I bought a treadmill, TV, and a portable media player that I loaded up with movies, shows and ebooks
I want a wii fit, but my room is packed.
The only dance lessons available here are Latin and belly. Weirdo that I am, I wanna learn Scottish and Southern dances.
When I meet up with my friends I make them walk instead of sitting in a cafe all day. The longer you sit, the more obligated you feel to eat.
Ayse on 01 Dec 2008 at 9:43 am #
My boyfriend did this last year and had a blast.
http://bournemouth.gumtree.com/bournemouth/82/20068582.html
The SILLY ARMY - recruiting grown-ups of all ages and fitness levels to play silly outdoor games just for fun!
I wish I could find people to do this
JudyPatooty on 01 Dec 2008 at 10:19 am #
I’m struggling with the same thing right now, myself. A couple of years ago I had gotten into a very good exercise routine and had lost some pounds and was really enjoying all the added energy. But then after my father passed away and then my mother got sick, bit by bit my exercise routine has bitten the dust!
One thing I did learn (and am now trying to re-establish for myself) is that I need to have a strong enough “WHY” to keep me moving. The WHY I had before was that I wanted to be able to be able to easily use the stairs without getting winded. And to be able to walk for a couple of hours without my legs feeling like they were going to fall off.
One thing that helped was renting audiobooks from the library (on CD preferably so I can import them into iTunes and use my iPod). Walking is so much more fun when I can listen to a good story. I also created my own playlists of music that makes me happy! I also invested in a Polar F6 heartrate monitor and started tracking the data at the Polar website (since I’m a numbers nerd at heart). I loved to see my fitness improvement in such a graphic way.
Claudia Dain on 01 Dec 2008 at 10:33 am #
I hate to exercise. As long as I don’t realize I’m exercising, I’m fine.
Dancing works for me. Fun! I’m dancing!
Walking on the treadmill works, my eyes fixed on the taped TV show in front of me. I’m watching TV! I like this show! I just happen to be walking at the same time.
The treadmill has been the best purchase of my life. I walk 6 days a week and feel more healthy. The problem is that I don’t think I’ve lost any “real” weight. I’m trying to be brave about it.
RachelG on 01 Dec 2008 at 10:34 am #
I wish my t v was powered by a treadmill.
PJane, thanks for the link. And what is a wii fit?
Freedom Writer on 01 Dec 2008 at 11:01 am #
I like to walk, but the weather can give me a good excuse not to. I also like walking on a treadmill while listening to music, unfortunately DH broke ours last year. Sometimes I get on the Wii Fit. That is usually fun, but my real problem with exercise is that I don’t make it a priority. In other words I just can’t find the time.
SheridanLA on 01 Dec 2008 at 11:04 am #
yeah, right now, I never want to walk again… but I am sure the farther the 3Day gets in the past, that will change.
I enjoy cycling a lot, an awesome way to see things.. I used to participate and mentor for TNT for the leukemia society for the century events (100 miles in one day) but I was injured last year and that all ended… *sigh* now I have to work on getting back up to speed, so to speak with that one. I like step workouts and I like working out with a good trainer. I found if I have a goal or something I work toward, it help. There is a BIG goal coming up for 2010.
Now to defluff from being sidelined so long. It is amazing how much better I feel when I exercise. I have noticed a huge difference in energy, etc. Not sure I LOVE it - but I like it and how it makes me feel. Next, I want to try a 5k.. scary…but I want to conquer it. I have never been a dainty flower…but most of the time, I am at least fit - and fluffy.
SheridanLA on 01 Dec 2008 at 11:07 am #
Wii fit.. sooo much fun…. it is a balance board that you buy for the Wii game system. It has balance activities as well as cardio workouts. There are strength training workouts, yoga poses, you can ski or walk a tightrope to work your core… step workout or hula hooping. All with fun little characters, silly music and a log to track your progress.
The workouts are not insanely intense, but they are fun and you get benefits from it.. and it can make you WANT to exercise because it is disguised more as a game.
Sabrina Jeffries on 01 Dec 2008 at 11:09 am #
I couldn’t believe it when I got on the recumbent bike (for the first time since surgery) and clicked to Goddess Blogs and you were talking about exercise! Because, believe me, the last thing I wanted to do this morning was get on the bike. But they said we were supposed to do it at 2 weeks. I just couldn’t. I still get exhausted taking a shower.
Today, however, I was determined. I did 10 minutes, 1.8 miles. How pathetic is that? But it’s a start.
Like Claudia, my only way to maintain an exercise program is to do something else while exercising. I can surf the internet and read e-mail on the bike. On the treadmill, I can actually answer e-mail. Of course, there’s also reading and watching TV, but when I’m pressed for time with a deadline, I tend to cut both of those. I NEVER cut e-mail, so it’s a good incentive.
Now I’m exhausted, but I’m hoping that exercise will renew my energy. Sleeping certainly hasn’t (I’m still sleeping 10 to 11 hours a day! What’s up with that?).
SheridanLA on 01 Dec 2008 at 11:29 am #
way to go, Sabrina… you had major surgery, of course it will take a bit to get back into the swing of everything.
Louisa Edwards on 01 Dec 2008 at 12:26 pm #
I don’t love exercising, but I love the way I feel afterward. However, it’s hard to remember that when it comes time to lace up my running shoes. I do better with swimming laps–the weightless feeling, the peace and quiet, the lack of yucky sweat…
Janae on 01 Dec 2008 at 1:05 pm #
Do I like to exercise? Not really. I do love the way I feel afterwards. I lost 15lbs this past July and August when I started doing the Abs Diet 2 workout every day. Since school started it hasn’t been easy working out every day because I’m volunteering in two classrooms. I haven’t regained any of the weight, but I’ve losted inches everywhere. I thinking adding weight training as opposed to just cardio has helped the most for me. I realize that I need to mix it up more, so I’m pulling out my other workout dvds. I’m hoping to find another dvd that interval cardio like the Abs Diet 2 dvd because it makes exercise more palatable.
I’d like to get Wii Fit, too. Maybe I will after Christmas. I’d really like to find some activities that don’t feel like exercise. I’d really like to learn how to fence. I did find a local fencing club that meets twice a week. I think I’m going to email the president to see if they offer lessons for beginners.
amanda on 01 Dec 2008 at 1:17 pm #
I’ve never liked running either and the only way I can do it is by listening to music and pretending I’m in some fantasy world with a hot guy. Or I just pretend something is chasing me….that works too.
RachelG on 01 Dec 2008 at 2:49 pm #
Wow Sabrina. Already on a recumbent bike. That’s very impressive. Congrats on your progress.
rachelg
ericaleigh on 01 Dec 2008 at 3:17 pm #
I think the key to exercising is finding something you like and sticking with it. For the past few months I’ve been going to fitness yoga. It took some doing to actually go to the class but once I made myself try it and found that I really enjoyed it, its been an addiction ever since. Of course, every class I go to kicks my but, but I’m finally seeing progress in what I can do now versus when I first started. Also, music is key. I’m constantly looking for good music with a beat so that I can forget I’m actually doing hard work. And isnt’t the feeling of trying on pants in a smaller size worth all the sweat and tears?
evlqn on 01 Dec 2008 at 4:00 pm #
Sabrina you must be so proud of yourself, in between going “Ewie-ouchie, ewie-ouchie!”
When we took the boys to the coast they wanted me to see how beautiful it was on the other side of the sand dune. They were right it was beautiful, so beautiful I stayed at the top and took pictures of them running in the surf. No way was I going to make THAT hike up and down twice! My muscles burned for days!
Karen Hawkins on 01 Dec 2008 at 4:15 pm #
Go, Sabrina! Btw, my friend who had that surgery slept hours and hours afterwards, too, and said it took four weeks before they were feeling energetic. Some of it’s the diet, too. I’m so proud of you for getting on the bike to start with! One step/wheel turn at a time, m’dear. You’re going to get there!
eviqn, climbing is SO good for you. When I used to walk in TN, I’d go up and down the steep hills in my mother’s subdivision. Now, here in FL, I’m lucky if I have to step up on a curb. It’s really reduced my workout and I have to make up for it with speed, which is no fun at all.
Ann M. on 01 Dec 2008 at 4:20 pm #
I found an exercise class that I loved - pilates. I loved the class and the teacher. She also did private training and I took the plunge and added training with her once a week.
I now have two standing appointments with her and I try to run at least 3-4 times a week. Amazing what paying for a trainer will do to help get one motivated. I know that I’m paying her to help keep me in shape. I also know that if I don’t get out running at least 2-3 times a week I’ll get a push from my trainer.
Jami Alden on 01 Dec 2008 at 4:32 pm #
I was a sporadic exerciser until I met my husband. He was in great shape, and his ex who couldn’t let go was this unbelievably fit, skinny, former cross country runner who shamed me with her flat abs and gravity defying butt. I figured I better get my ass in shape if I wanted to compete. Who knew I’d end up loving to run? since then I’ve run 2 marathons, ran through both pregnancies and have a double jogger to push the kids.
Ayse on 01 Dec 2008 at 4:43 pm #
Treadmill powered TV lol Rachel I’d buy that
LauraR on 01 Dec 2008 at 5:06 pm #
go figure that someone has figured out how to power your tv with peddling!
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/08/human_power.php
evlqn on 01 Dec 2008 at 5:09 pm #
Back in the day,when dinosaurs roamed the earth, I could and would dance until dawn and then sleep for 2 hours and put in 8 to 10 hours on my feet. Well the dinosaurs are gone and so are my marathon dancing days. But I did have one fine looking butt and strong legs back then.
Nicole Jordan on 01 Dec 2008 at 6:24 pm #
Oh, Rachel, I feel for you! I’m lucky that I have a hobby that is also great excercise, but I only get to do it once a week. My best advice?
– find something fun like dancing to do once or twice a week that is also excercise
– mix up your routines so you get the most benefit (cardio AND weights)
– find at least one routine to do at home so you don’t have to get dressed and go out. That often is a big barrier to motivation
– include weights and/or weight resistance such a bands in your program. The main reason we gain weight over 40 is that our bodies lose muscle mass at the rate of 1 pound per year (our muscle turns to fat!). Fat cells burn 100 times less calories than muscle, so our metabolisms go way down as we get older. The best way to rev it up again (or at least maintain) is to rebuild you muscle mass. The good thing about barbels/bands is that you can do excercies in front of the TV.
I try to follow those guidelines above, but I admit it’s getting harder and harder as the years go by, both the keep the pounds off and to keep motivated!
Gibb on 01 Dec 2008 at 8:15 pm #
Shooooot Rachel, if I knew how to love exercising I wouldn’t have packed on ten pounds per kid. I’ve recently started doing the 15-20 minute per day with light hand weights. It gets my body moving so I don’t feel like a creaking along. In my younger days I had the time to dedicate to exercising 40 minutes 3-4 times a week. With 3 kids and two jobs, I’m lucky to find the energy for those 15-20 spurts.
But honestly, what I’ve found to be most helpful was to keep a workout calendar. I give myself a BIG FAT E on dates I exercise and a BIG FAT W for days with weights. Just having that visual helps me want to do something to make some kind of mark.
I wish you and all the ladies luck. Hopefully this little bit here and there daily helps me control the waistline. Maybe I’ll be able to increase the time. It’s a bummer but I keep reminding myself that I want to be a healthy mom around for a long time for the kids.
Wear a pedometer - it helps you realize if you haven’t moved much in the course of the day.
Aly on 01 Dec 2008 at 8:37 pm #
I am not a lover of exercise either! But I happen to be friends with a lot of guys that are currently over in Iraq and Afghanistan! And let me tell you - you want to be motivated - just get a guilt trip from one of them! LOL!
Billy told me that in order for him to feel good about defending my freedom, I needed to get out and take my 45 minute walk at least 5 times a week. So OK, he was kidding with me but the more I thought about it — well the more I felt guilty for not taking advantage of the freedom to walk where and when I wanted to.
Yeah I know that is a little heavy….
So, part #2? I have a few girlfriends that don’t mind listening to heavy breathing
and will talk to me on the phone while I walk! It makes the time go by so fast!
KWilde on 01 Dec 2008 at 10:45 pm #
Marisa, LOL!
Yay for Sabrina’s 10 minutes!
OMG, Aly, that’s serious motivation.
I started running again sometime during my mid-life crisis when I realized I only ever got to listen to my six-year-old son’s music in the car and my dh’s banjo playing at home. I bought an Ipod and downloaded all my favorite songs from high school and college. Now when I run I feel like I’m 20 again. Well it’s better than buying a red sports car and having an affair with a guy half my age, isn’t it?
-KWilde, who is now doing a Google search for a treadmill-powered chocolate chip cookie maker.