Exercise is not fun! Or, Am I doing it wrong?

In My Humble Opinion
1

This thread started from a hijack that I caused over here. Basically, I’ve started exercising recently, and as of yet, I have not started to feel better, feel less stress, or feel any of the benefits that my doctors and peers have told me that I would. In fact, I often feel MORE stressed and WORSE after exercising for 30 minutes on an elliptical using the “fat burn” resistance. I feel hot (and I hate that feeling), and sometimes I develop a tension headache.

I have been medically cleared for exercise by my doctor (my BP for instance, was 102/78 most recently in an office visit), and my heart rate, according to the built-in monitors on the machines, is safely in the area of 140-150. I’m 27 and male.

So, is it normal to feel terrible after working out when just starting? Or, am I doing it wrong?

2

It takes about 7-8 weeks for the body to adjust to the demands of a new activity.
Everyone is different, swimming or cycling (or something else) may be your sport.

Running always came easily to me yet I’m a unremarkable cyclist and swimming is just staying alive in the water.

Try different things to see what clicks.

3

You are supposed to feel ‘hot’. That is a good sign for most people. However, if you hate that, you might have not picked a good exercise for you. You could try swimming which shouldn’t give you those problems or fast long-distance walking. Exercise isn’t supposed to be torture if you expect to keep it up for any length of time at all. You won’t be able to with what you are describing. Take up bike riding or karate lessons or rock climbing if that suits you better. You shouldn’t feel like a hamster on a wheel. Pick something that you enjoy and make it work although breaking out of your previous routine takes some effort for everyone no matter what it is.

4

To echo the “try other things” bit…

I tried weight training for three years. I really gave it a fair shake, going to the gym four times per week, working out different muscle groups, doing as much as I could with free weights.

I never got into it. It was boring and tiring.

Then I started ramping up my running. I like running. Just did 10mi this afternoon and though I have never felt the mythical runner’s high, there is something very satisfying to me about coming home after such a run.

You might just like the weights and hate running. Try it all out.

5

I have been exercising rather regularly for about 20 years. Stuff like 150 bicep curls each arm, 30 push-ups, a bunch of sit-ups (icky things like that), for 30 minutes a day roughly four times a week. It is always the most boring 30 minutes of the day, and I basically hate it. However, on the off chance that it will help health-wise, and as, at the age of 80 I can start to see Heaven looming menacingly on the skyline, I keep it up.

6

Somet6hing else: set yourself goals. Sometimes exercise may seem pointless without an endpoint. By focusing, you eliminate that 30 min of “this is dull, I’m bored, when will this ever end?” You know each workout has a focus and is progressing you towards a goal.
Of course, you set new goals as you achieve each one.

7

I hate the elliptical machine, but I love the treadmill. The various stationary bikes are pretty good, too. So I would suggest trying some of the different cardio machines as a start.

As far as feeling hot and sweaty goes, I do think it’s something you’ll get more used to once you associate exercise with feeling good (like, yeah I’m really burning a lot of calories, or burning off a lot of stress, etc.). These are probably really obvious things, but it makes sense to invest a little bit of money in the the right lightweight workout clothes, and carry a bottle of water with you so you can drink without stopping exercising.

8

I agree with everyone else here that you might just need to try something else, but also its important to start easy and work your way up. Be the judge of what is your limit. Try starting on a lower resistance/speed and gradually challenge yourself to go further, longer, with more resistance…

And truthfully, exercise is often quite dull so some music or an audio book can make it much more enjoyable.

9

Have you considered another form of exercise such as yoga, Pilates, or martial arts? You might find something like that more engaging.

10

Thats is why I play racketball. It is exercise, fun and competition. it never gets boring.
It is important to find something that you look forward to doing. If it is a drudge, you will probably quit.

11

62-year-old checking in here, and echoing the above sentiment. Daylate, you are my hero. I hate exercising, and spend an hour a day at the gym beating myself up just in the hopes that I’ll get to your age and still be in the gym.

12

On thing that helps me out when I run is I don’t run for time. If I know I have to run for 30 minutes I will slack off because there is no reason for me to go faster. But, all I have to do is run this course I mapped out, the faster I run it the sooner I can not he running.

13

This was so true for me. Even music didn’t motivate me that much, because it still left my mind free to think about how tired I was and how much I hurt. When I switched my old mp3 player for a Zune with podcast software, the time I spent exercising skyrocketed. There are shows that I only allow myself to listen to while running so if i want to listen, I have to get out there.

14

Have you tried rock climbing? The thing about rock climbing is that it creates a sense of satisfaction even outside of the workout, because it is a mentally and strategically challenging sport with a lot to learn about technique-wise. Nevertheless, it gives a good workout for your upper and lower body and if you go at it for a long time you can get a decent aerobic workout.

Don’t just do exercises because you’re supposed to enjoy them. I tried lifting weights and got nothing out of it whatsoever. I do rock climbing because I get a lot of satisfaction out of it.

I notice, from your profile, that you’re a Texas Tech student. According to their site, they have a climbing center. So check it out if you might be into it.

15

At my college you could do all kinds of activities for 1 credit per semester. It a good way to try something out, with instruction but not too much commitment. Plus, that credit will keep you going every week. :slight_smile:

You can see Texas Tech’s listings of a similar nature here:
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/officialpublications/courses/PFW.php

16

No, it isn’t. But it is necessary.

Why is it that almost everything that is good for us either hurts or tastes bad?

17

I’ve tried lots of things, and I hate them all. I’m just not an athletic person. I’ve been steadfastly going to the gym nearly every other day for several years. I do a varietly of things as advised by the trainers both at my current gym and previously by a physical therapist. They are all boring, and sweaty. (The exercises, not the trainers.) I do swim, and that’s o.k., but I’d really rather be home relaxing with a good book.

I can’t do any high-impact things because of a previous knee injury, so most sports other than swimming, even if I liked them, which I don’t, are out.

I go because it at least helps keep me from getting fatter (I have been at a plateau for over 6 months that I can’t seem to break through) and it helps my blood pressure and general health. My spinal arthritis and sciatica are better now than they were when I started this, and I guess it’s worth it to be able to walk most of the time without undue pain.

By the end of my session I am a total grouch, likely to snap at anybody. Sometimes I wonder if it’s worth it after all. I hope I’m adding more hours to my life span than I am spending in this horrid endeavor.

18

I’m also of the opinion that not everyone finds an exercise they actually like - sometimes the best you can do is find one you don’t bitterly loathe. I can stand walking and biking while watching tv, so that’s what I do (I try to do something every day, because one day off turns into two which turns into forever). I look at exercising like flossing my teeth - I don’t have to enjoy it; I just have to do it.

19

You shouldn’t be hurting 30 minutes after you’re done lifting weights or cardio. If you are, you’re not doing it right.

If you hurt and take an aspirin (or Tylenol or whatever) and that one dose doesn’t stop the pain, then you’re REALLY doing it wrong.

It may take a long while to build up to things. I recall I used to have really bad asthma. It was so bad, there were times, I would hesistate to cross Michigan Avenue (in Chicago) 'cause I didn’t think I had enough breath to make it all the way across.

My doctor said I should start cardio to help my blood pressure, (The upper number is in the high 120, the lower number is fine in the 60s). I was like, “I can’t walk without issues, how can I run.” She said to try. It took a LONG time, but in about 2 years I was able to run for 60 minutes straight keeping my pulse in the 140.

Oddly enough the blood pressure stayed the same but the asthma almost completely disappeared. Whereas I was using two or three inhalers a month, my current inhaler is almost two years old and I still haven’t used it all up.

So it may just take time. A long time, especially if you’re out of shape.

Also you could be very bored. Have music when you run. Or better yet, what I do is get books on tape. This is GREAT. I have “read” every book I was meaning to read, but didn’t have time to get around to by listening while running.

Also remember to vary your machines, don’t always do one. Try the bike, try the elliptical, try the stair climber (boy is that hard) and even swimming which is great, but make sure you actually swim and not just float around :slight_smile:

I really think if you’re otherwise healthy that it’s probably a combination of boredom mixed in with trying too much.

Perhaps you could split your routine. Do half on the elliptical, while listing to music, then get a book on tape from the library and listen to that while you bike.

20

Jack Lalanne, long-time fitness enthusiast, at age 90 (San Antonio Express-News, Oct 4, 2004):

Also http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/10/25/health/main651223.shtml