Friday, 20th of August 2010 at 08:28:10 AM 
Not my actual bed. You can tell that because I'm not in it.
Sure, I have excuses. Which one would you like? The one where I blame this (minor, hardly incapacitating) cold I’m nursing? The one where it rained every morning this week and walking to school in the rain is a big bummer? The one where I show you how at lunchtime—when I could conceivably take a break, take a stroll—the temperature has averaged 95 degrees? The one where I point out that it was my birthday, you know, and I shouldn’t have to do things I don’t liiiiiike while it’s my birthday? The one where I show you my calendar, point out the deadlines and the appointments and the kids’ endless requirements to be driven here and there for various things?
They’re not very good excuses, and I know that. I feel guilt about it. And then I take a nap until it passes.
I once spent about an hour on the phone with Joshilyn while she hiked around the hills behind her house, trying to convince her that it would be a good day to skip her workout and just take it easy. She maintained that she was taking it easy and that without this tromping around she’d be useless for the rest of the day. I maintained that the number of times she had to stop and cough up a lung were evidence that she should be home in bed, or at the very least, sitting still at her desk. She didn’t hang up on me, but she marched the full measure of her planned path, regardless. She also had a nasty case of bronchitis while this was happening. (It is not terribly surprising that later she ripped out her post-surgical stitches by accident with an “easy” workout.)
Joss and I are polar opposites when it comes to exercise. She loves it; I hate it. She craves it; I have to psych myself up. She insists I can develop an endorphin addiction if I keep at it, but I never seem to be able to maintain a routine long enough that it feels like an important part of my life. I want to believe, but I also fear that I am… just… lazy.
Earlier this year I came very close to developing good exercise habits, but the first time I got off my routine, getting back on it again was as hard as starting over. And once I’d lost my goal amount of weight? Forget it. Vanity, it turns out, is a pretty good motivator. Just general I-want-to-be-healthier inclinations? Not so much.
Do you think some people are just hard-wired to enjoy exercise more than others? Or have I just not hit upon the magical combination of exercise/circumstance/whatever that makes that cartoon lightbulb over my head glow and me jump around exclaiming, “YES! I LOVE THIS!”?
I never have and probably never will love, or even remotely like exercise. I do it, but I hate every second of it. I am one of those lucky folks who doesn’t eat horribly, exercises regularly, yet does not lose a single ounce of weight. I am 5’7 and I hover between 200 and 210 lbs. Yes, I tone up and yes, I am strong/have built up endurance, but I HAAAAAAATE it. The only thing that keeps me on any cardio machine is my Nook, which I LOVE LOVE LOVE (!). I can forget I’m even on a machine if I get into a book. And my motivation for lifting is that I like to see the weight go up as I get stronger. But trust me, I don’t like either of those things well enough to even try to pretend I like exercising.
I’m thinking it may be genetic. The only exercise I like is randomly rambling around in the woods, which takes at least a good 5-hour chunk of time, which rarely happens.
The closest eqipment I could find to approximate it (I still didn’t like it, but I could deal) was my old Nordic Trak if I was looking out the window at the woods. I exercised religiously for a year, and lost tons of weight, and NEVER got any endorphin high. Just sweaty and tired and irritable. Or do you have to exercise for TWO years to develop endorphins?
Then my Nordiccing room got taken up for a two-week (shudder) FIL visit, and I never exercised again. :-O
Well. This is just my personal opinion, of course; I think people are hard-wired to love exercise, to NEED to move every day. Others are not hard-wired to NEED it, we are most happy lounging about.
I’m a lounger, married to a die-hard exerciser.
I’ve learned to try to find something that I think is fun, and do it regularly (I like taking long walks ALONE. I’m a teacher and a mom and being all by myself to work on my writing projects in my head…it feels like luxury somehow).
I also have a horrible family history with heart disease and diabetes, so I’ve just learned that I have to suck it up and do some activity that I don’t especially enjoy. I work out with my daughter, and that makes things a little easier for both of us. I reward myself for consistent exercise by making sure I have a rest day during which I eschew any sort of physical exertion. Sometimes that helps when I’m sweating and swearing my way through a workout.
Sometimes it doesn’t.
Certainly some people are hard-wired differently. I certainly didn’t. But just like some people have no innate talent at music, but through practice end up as decent musicians… you can learn to like exercise. At least I did. The trick, for me, was getting a gym membership with someone I look forward to spending time with. For me, with a busy schedule, being able to go to the gym a couple times a week regularly serves a dual purpose, which is efficient! That plus seeing my dad gives me the incentive to start up again after a spell of sickness or a trip. AND I enjoy it now.
I think yes and no. Some people are more likely to be excited by the opportunity to get moving. I don’t say work-out b/c being active includes things like hiking, biking, etc that could easily pass for leisure activities. I am a pretty active person and I generally like working out or running (not the act sometimes) but the time. Just time to myself. To zone out and listen to my music and just Be. While I grew up on swimming teams, dancing, biking, hiking, etc. I think what motivates me is a goal. For instance, running a half marathon by setting each segment: a 5k, 2 10ks, then a half. I’m extremely driven to perform and excel, so setting goals NOT related to weight is a huge motivator for me.
That’s a really long way of saying (shocking, I know) yes and no.
I’m a goal-oriented exerciser. This year I have run two half marathons, a 3 mile race, a 5 mile race, 6 5k races, and am planning to do 3 more half marathons, 2 10k races, and a few more 5k races. I’m also considering doing a full marathon and a short triathlon next year. I regularly run 18 – 25 miles a week. If you knew how easy it is for me to to fall into the sit on my couch and watch tv, read, or knit routine your jaw would hit the floor. There are many nights I would much rather veg on the couch than go run, but I know I always feel better after I run so I drag myself out the door and do it. The instant I finish a major race I slack off if I’m not signed up for another one. Having a plan isn’t even enough, I have to actually be signed up. Your weight loss goal might have been enough to get you going, maybe try signing up for a 5k? (You do NOT have to run it – find one sponsored by a charity you believe in and walk it, I promise you that you will not be the only one walking. A lot of 5k’s even have walking categories now.)
I have to agree with those who say that its a genetic or at least personality type thing. I hate exercising. The only thing that gets me walking everyday is the thought of turning into one of those people who can’t reach their feet and the fear of dying of a heart attack.
I want to learn to love exercise, too, but I’ve never been able to before. Maybe because I’ve always had an easy time leaving the exercise regimen rather than sticking with it. We are going skiing over the Christmas holiday for the first time in 8 years, so I NEED to do something to increase my lung capacity and get me generally in better shape for it. I started the 9-week “Couch 2 5K” program last Saturday. And got sick this week, of course, so day 3 of the first week is on the back burner. Hopefully I can do it tomorrow, which is really the start of week 2, but who’s counting. I KNOW that I need to do this for my health and all, but hopefully I enjoy doing it so that I can stick with it. I could stand to shed 20 pounds, but we’ll see.
I personally think the trick is finding the *right* exercise, that activity that doesn’t feel like exercise at all because you enjoy it so much. If you want to see me at my most miserable, make me ride a stationary bike. HATE IT. Yet, I truly enjoy taking a 10-mile bike ride around the city with my family. It kinda scares me how much I like it.
Yes, this. I cannot put up with a stationary bike at all, but I’m very happy when riding my bike. Yoga classes I also like. Everything else, not so much, but those two things, if I make the time for them, are enough. The problem for me is that since I enjoy them, they seem like indulgences that I should give up when I’m busy.
I’m a born-again exerciser. I grew up as a slug, a skinny little book-inhaling slug, and I thought that the fact that I love nothing more than to lie down with a good book meant that I am incapable of exercising. I thought I was a weakling, and I WAS, but I thought I was destined to always be weak and uncoordinated.
I didn’t start exercising until the scrawniness of youth was replaced by the pudge of my mid-twenties. I started with T-Tapp, and along with a return of my skinny body, I was amazed to find that I could train my body to be strong, coordinated, well-balanced. Pretty cool.
Over the years I’ve developed some theories about what motivates me to exercise. I’m happiest with form-based exercise like yoga, Pilates, or T-Tapp because it appeals to my love of learning. I’m most motivated to exercise in a group setting, because as a work-at-home-er my classes at the Y are a rare opportunity to get out and spend time with other adults. I am very, very sad when circumstances force me to miss my yoga classes!
In a nutshell, I firmly believe that it’s very important to find the right type of exercise for you, but it’s even more important to change your mindset and realize that a slug is not destined to be a slug forever.
You know how they claim that you can form a good habit in three weeks? Or something like that. Pffft. A couple summers ago, I got my behind out of bed an hour early and walked a couple miles every day. All summer. Then winter came. The End.
Yep, in the “hate ALL FORMS of exercise with the heat of 1,000 burning suns” camp.
It doesn’t matter if it’s in a group, alone, inside or outside. HATE, HATE, HATE every damn minute.
I’m “better” at doing it, if I’ve made a commitment to meet someone. I keep my promises. But I STILL HATE IT. And I don’t want to be yakky, or perky, or friendly while I’m doing it either.
Any form of exertion is the same as being forced to eat Velveeta Cheese. I’ll only do it if there are no other options and I can’t scrape if off.
Blruggg – I think endorphins are a myth.
I’ll put in a good word for those folks who once hated exercise, but have come to…well, if not exactly LOVE exercise, at least not mind it too much. I tried running off and on for years, felt like I was dying every time I jogged down the sidewalk, struggled with post-college/late-20′s weight gain, etc etc. And then one day just decided that I was going to run. Every day. I would stop debating it or making it something extreme, and just do it. And I did. (Unless it was raining. Of course.)
I don’t know what switch flipped in my brain, but it worked. I definitely don’t love it, and there are days when I moan and groan about it, but on the whole I don’t mind. I’m not pushing myself to run a marathon. Some days I walk more than run. Listening to podcasts helps.
I dunno. There’s no magic solution that’s universal for everyone. I agree with Summer that the mindset is important. For me, I needed to relax my expectations and also my idea that unless I was running 5 miles uphill both ways with sweat in my eyes, I wasn’t really working out.
Also, endorphins, shmdorphins.
I’m 99% sure I’m one of the many here who have said that they’re not exercisers because they’re not hardwired to be. At least that’s going to be my excuse this week
I use to think I would never like exercise (other than long, time-consuming so occasional hikes) and then I discovered mountain biking – the thrill of a well executed move, the rush of adventure. I haven’t been out since prego with my now 18 month old and I crave it something fierce!! – yes, I know I should make time but it’s been a rough year
-Enjoyed weightlifting, especially seeing the results by being able to increase weights but don’t crave it like mb … I think also childhood environment might play a role – never saw either of my folks exercise …
I think there’s a difference between loving exercise and loving the effects; the four mile walk is boring in and of itself but I love the stress relief and being able to eat 300 more calories of food guilt free. It’s definately easier to motivate when you have a goal: lose weight, 5k, meet friends, lower blood pressure, etc. If you hate your exercise of choice pick something new to try until you find one that’s tolerable while still gets you to your goals.
I have tried different forms of exercise over the years, including walking, exercise bike, yoga, and a program at the Y that had me working out on the machines three times a week for three months. I have never once felt the slightest endorphin rush, not one positive feeling from anything. I get hot and tired and I hate it.
And to those who say I’m not working hard enough or long enough to see benefits, eff you. My hardest may not look hard enough to you, but it is the most I can do, and did I mention that I hate it? Because I hate it. I don’t have unlimited time or unlimited money to try everything, so while it’s possible that the perfect form of exercise is out there for me, it’s probably hanging out with Mr. Right wherever the hell he’s hiding.
Totally disagree with the hardwired thing. I grew up as a very unathletic child and, as an adult, became one of the obese, carrying 234 pounds on my 5’2″ frame. When the non-profit I work for was going to hold their own 5K in May 2010, and I knew I would be given one of the race T-shirts just because I work there, I decided I wasn’t going to wear that shirt unless I earned it. I started eating better and moving more, reaching my goal of earning that shirt by walking the 5K. I have now completed 12 5Ks, dropping my time by 15 minutes and losing 79 pounds along the way. I’m still losing weight, can run some now, and do some form of exercise for at least 30 minutes EVERY day. And I love it. Sure there are days when I don’t want to change clothes and exercise, but I never regret working out and always feel better afterward. My body, despite its lumps and bumps and sagging skin, amazes me, and I’m having the time of my life.
Sorry Mir, but I’m going to disagree with most of the commenters. I was an 18 stone couch potato, until one day my neighbour started running a slimming group, which I went along to ‘just to support her’. Three years and five stone later, I am a gym FREAK. I do think it’s just a matter of finding the exercise you love. I really miss the gym when I can’t get there, four years ago I’d never even been in one!
Don’t give up, just find something you like doing.
Lisa x
I don’t like exercise, for the sake of it. When I was in high school running cross country or track sometimes I would get a runner’s high, but this hasn’t happened in years as I never seem to stick to it long enough to get it. Occasionally I feel really great after a Yoga class, or even more occasionally after weight lifting- a task I must do to fend off tendonitis in my arms. I do enjoy walking or biking somewhere that I need to get to such as the post office, the local market, the bank, my husband’s office, take my kid on a stroller ride or exploration. I think an answer is found in more walkable communities. There is a reason to go somewhere nearby, and its enjoyable when there are pleasant sidewalks to walk on. Even more enjoyable is doing it with a friend, so that you focus on having a nice conversation rather than the exercise for the sake of exercising. If you’d like some extra time with your son in the morning or want to make a date with a friend, make it a walking date. You won’t even notice that you are getting some exercise in.
I’d rather read or spend the day in front of the sewing machine. I’ll even read while the family is watching a movie! I can’t run anymore or do anything too strenuous because of arthritis. But I need to do something! Everyone on my mom’s side of the family has diabetes, and if I don’t get some more of this extra padding off, I will have it full time. So I will walk! .
I did walk DD#5 to her first day of school today, a 2 mile round trip for me. We both need it. I was trying to tell myself that 3x a week would be enough, but this afternoon, I believe that 5 times a week will be more realistically helpful. DD#5 has Down Syndrome, so it may be best to say we do this every morning now instead of only on M/W/F. So that is my new goal, and the bluetooth headphones and my favorite song mix on my phone help make the walk better.
I ran cross-country in high school and got the runner’s high once. It wasn’t enough to keep me running. I was my absolute skinniest when we lived in Germany and rode bicycles everywhere…
“She insists I can develop an endorphin addiction if I keep at it, but I never seem to be able to maintain a routine long enough that it feels like an important part of my life.”
Yes, I do wonder at that. I’d love to be addicted to endorphins, but I think I’m not inhaling, or something…