I started working out Jan 1 to help lose weight. I’ve been good and work out at least 3 days a week. I lift weights because that is the only excersize that I have ever stuck with. I’m seeing some results too.
But every night it is still a chore. I have to force myself to do it. Wil it ever become a habit that I “just do.” Or even look forward to?
I know, I know, some of you well-meaning folks are gonna say that I should try other excersizes. I’ve tried them all. Walking, running, swimming, aerobics (at least the women were hot) etc, etc. If I stuck with any of them, I would be doing them. The only one I have ever stuck with is lifting. But it is stil a chore. Anyone else start a program this year? Has it become a habit yet?
I stated Riding an exrices bike back in september. It has become a habit. What I di thought was set the bike infront of the TV and choose A show that I watch regularly watched while riding the bike.
I’ve found that aerobic exercise usually becomes less of a chore, despite the fact that I hate doing it. The only reason is that when I do it (stationary bike), it frees up my mind to think of all sorts of other stuff. No distractions, no nonsense, just time to think about whatever may be on my mind that day.
Also, and this may sound weird, but I found that working out more often makes a difference – esp. after the workout, cause I usually feel quite invigorated and alive.
Anyway, that’s my 2cents. Probably worth less though…
Exercise has always been a chore with me, I seem to be naturally lazy and fighting to get or stay fit all the time. I have always exercised, but the amount has varied greatly. At my fittest, I was walking 30 minutes each way to work, all weather, and going to the gym at least 3 times per week. I got bored with the gym after a year and getting busier at work meant it was harder to fit in the walking time. Now I have a puppy, I’m getting to walk again, because I have to. I rarely feel like exercising, no matter how fit I am.
I’m starting to wonder if it has something to do with my body drug of choice - I appear to be a melatonin addict, and get most of my energy from sleep. Perhaps those who are adrenalin/seratonin junkies, love exercising?
I have a couple of “bellydance for fitness” videos- haven’t worked out with them in a while because of some physical problems I developed over the past year and a half or so, but
when I was working out with them, I looked forward to it. I actually picked up some pretty good moves and would often just dance for a while after working out.
So, maybe you could find some workout videos based around some form of dance or other activity you enjoy and use those.
Khadaji, how long are your gym sessions? I used to train for hours, and by train I mean that I spent my time inefficiently, with a lot of long rest periods between exercises. It meant a couple of hours at the gym, after cardio, stretches, a shower etc.
However, one of the aims of my current program is to do it as quickly as possible (while staying safe and keeping good technique of course). So you don’t spend more than half an hour of weights - about 5 different exercises, 3 sets done to positive failure, with only about 45-60 seconds break b/w sets / exercises. It’s a split program, so I still cover all major muscles. Also replaced the long bike / jogging sessions with some shorter sessions on the erg - rowing machine.
So now it takes just more than an hour all up, which gives me a lot more time of an evening and makes going to the gym less of a chore. Best thing I’ve ever done - I’m attending every time.
Alternatively, could you arrange to meet a friend at the gym and spot each other / chat through your workout? Good motivation too.
lambchops my work out is much like you describe yours to be. 6 excersices of 3 sets, split and it all takes around 30 minutes.
Most of my co-workers are married and/or live far enough away that they don’t want to join a gym. I have equipment at home, and that is where I work out.
This may be part of your problem - at least, it was for me. I had just enough discipline to go to the weights, provided there wasn’t something more interesting to do, or something on TV I wanted to see. There was no reason to go work out, other than my own steely resolve (which turned out to be very putty-like a times).
My exercise regime got more disciplined when my wife started taking Tai Chi classes. When she would trot off for class, I’d go do weights until she returned. I sort of piggy-backed on her discipline.
Until I realized how silly it was to rely on her schedule to get me moving. Part of what got her up and out was the community aspect of the classes she was taking - other people expected her to be there, and she felt obligated not to disappoint. It worked for her, so I signed up (for Kung Fu, not Tai Chi - I didn’t want to move slow).
Now I have a few more crutches to lean on when my discipline falters. There’s obligation (don’t knock obligation, it’s handy when the will is weak), since I’m paid-up ahead of time for Kung Fu. There’s fun, since the workout, while intense, is also more varied that lifting weights. Kung Fu also has the advantage of being skills-based, so it engages the brain as well as the body; I’m not sure that aerobics can make the same claim (caveat - it may be able to, I just don’t have any experience with aerobics) And there’s social - it’s just plain more interesting to work out with a bunch of people, especially as you get to know them.
I can’t say for sure about you, but for me, I definitely reach a point after starting an exercise program when I start looking forward to work-outs. For the first couple of weeks (at least) I’m still building up muscle and stamina, and it’s damn hard work, but after a while I start to look forward to the endorphin rush. But that’s with an aerobic exercise. I’ve never gotten even the slightest emotional playoff from weightlifting at all. Also, I don’t know nothin’ about nothin’, but 1/2 hour of weightlifting doesn’t sound like a good program for weight loss to me.
Some folks are recommending working out with people, but I’m definitely a solitary exerciser. It irritates me to have to adjust my routine to anyone else, and it drives me batty to be stuck with someone who wants to chatter the whole time. YMMV. I’m also allergic to pep talk and encouragement, though, so I’m pretty weird.
I usually meet up with friends when I work out. I used to prefer working out by myself, but if I have to meet people, I’m more motivated to go. Plus, I don’t get to see these friends all that often otherwise, so it’s nice to have the time to hang out with them. So it becomes almost as much of a social event as it does a track workout or a weight lifting session or some other kind of workout. Also, they’re all faster runners than I am, even though I began running long before they ever did. And I have a competitive streak a mile wide, so I work a lot harder to be just as fast as they are, and it takes my mind off the weight-loss aspect of it.
I need to have the energy of the gym to get me going. When I get there, it doesn’t matter that I don’t know anybody and I’m not about to get buddy-buddy with them – they are there for one unified purpose: working out. This keeps me focused and I actually feel good when I walk in the door.
I have found that I have begun to look forward to the workout whenever work is getting annoying. Some days I go home in a particularly foul mood, then I go to the gym and it all melts away.
Oh yes… I will agree with the folks who are recommending some cardio. I can’t imagine making any serious impact on my fat content by weightlifting alone. You can develop some absolutely ripped abs and still have them covered by two inches of fat.
The thing that helped me the most was moving my workouts to the morning. I get up early and do my weightlifting before work, and there’s nothing to distract me. Another perk is that I get it over with, and then I don’t have to worry about it hte rest of the day. I do my cardio in the evenings, and I find myself skipping that more often than I do my toning. Although, I do aim for 7 days of cardio per week so I always end up actually doing the cardio at least 5 days…
In college I took judo. It was the only way I could get any exercise simply because it was interesting & fun. Now I’m taking bjj for the same reason. It’s fun, mentally challenging, and interesting. I didn’t see those in your list of Tried Them All.
BTW, I wouldn’t be able to do karate or anything like that. W/ judo & bjj you move bodies in every class, and get out there and do it.
It still sucks. And it’s been years - I go out of a sense of guilt that I’m not going. I know people who claim to miss working out if they don’t do it for a while. I’m not one of those people. It’s still a chore that must be done. Even working out with friends isn’t that great. (Though having to meet someone gets me there. When I do meet people.)But it’s still on par with “taking out the garbage” or “doing the dishes.”
And it’s been years since I started working out regularly.
I suppose it depends on the person and how you look at it.
I can really tell a difference if I miss a couple workouts - I don’t feel as good (either mentally or physically). My workouts are a time for me to focus on me, what’s good for me, what makes me feel good, meeting my goals. A hard workout, followed by a steam or sauna, and a shower have become things I look forward to.
I’ve been working out about twice a week for, oh, three years now. I usually feel better (if sometimes tired) after the workout. I’m seeing results – I’ve lost 30+ pounds and several waist inches and added some muscle in that time period. I read while I do cardio and generally enjoy the time to think about stuff.
But I still don’t enjoy working out. It’s a pain, it’s inconvenient, and I’m still too ready to let my wife tempt me to stay home and skip it on any given night. I just never learned to enjoy exercise when I was a kid (hence the weight I need to lose) and that’s held up over the decades.
I never thought I would advocate this, but it seems to work much better for me. There are several advantages:
[ul]
[li] You need to take a shower in the morning anyway, so why not do your excercise then, too? That saves you the trouble of another shower. during the day.[/li][li] It’s much easier to stay with the program. If you work out in the evening, problems at work can force you to stay late, or stress you out to the point where you feel physically too tired to work out. If you go in the morning you avoid most of that. And if you do need to stay late at the office, you can do so without missing your workout.[/li][li] You may save yourself some driving and traffic. Usually there’s less traffic in the morning than in the evening rush. If you can find a gym near your work, it works really well to go there in the morning, and then on to the office when you’re done. [/li][/ul]
Aside from that, you could try learning some new excercises. A little variety can be helpful.
Don’t know if I can help you out, I love exercising. once I GET there. But I do occasionally reach “burnout” phase.
When that happens, I make sure I’ve got some really good workout music. I like heavy metal for weight training, and light mindless dance music for aerobics.