How can I get into exercising?

[Guest Angelica Alice]

I really want to exercise. I did, today! It was great. I like the feeling AFTER you exercise.

I'm really stubborn and can't keep promises to myself. Whenever I start a exercise plan, I FAIL. I ignore it the third day. I'm lazy. I'm not really over weight, but I want to be more skinny like teenage girls my age. So how can I motivate myself?

[Charlize]

I found that once i started it was hard to stop. It became part of my life when i need it. Now i'm retired but fortunately stay active working on the farm. Not quite the same but helps to keep me in some kind of reasonable shape. I guess to get started you have to just kick your own backside a few times to start the ball rolling.

Hugs,

Charlie

[JenniferB]

Take it very slow to begin. Don't work out to where it becomes more a chore. The key to exercise is to start small and gradually build up as your body adjusts. If you push yourself too hard at first you will hate it. Even if it's like run for 5 minutes to start. The next time, make it 6.

Jenny

[Guest Carla_Davis]

Hi Angelica,

Don't look at it as exercise.

The only exercise I do is walking whenever possible.

You don't need any expensive exercise machine or expensive gym membership.

Instead of driving every ware, instead take public transportation.

My PCP old me that Walking is the Best Exercise.

If you take a bus or train, get off 1 or 2 stops earlier and walk the rest of the distance. What is nice about walking is you can stop whenever you want and rest.

In 2007, I lost 90 lbs and have kept it off since only by portioning my meals and walking whenever possible.

After you start, it becomes easier.

Hope this helps.

Hugs,

Carla

[Guest ValerieD]

Take it very slow to begin. Don't work out to where it becomes more a chore. The key to exercise is to start small and gradually build up as your body adjusts. If you push yourself too hard at first you will hate it. Even if it's like run for 5 minutes to start. The next time, make it 6.

Jenny

Is that why I can't get myself to exercise? I tried swimming for an hour a day last year and it was such a chore that I just gave up. I've never understood the people that say they get to the point where they "need" to exercise; to me it's just boring exertion (and in the case of swimming, water fit for polar bears rather than humans).

[Guest Jenn348]

I lost 40 pounds in 8 months. Here's how I did it:

The Couch to 5K program. Google it. It's available as a table you do yourself with a stopwatch or as smartphone/iPod apps that coach you through the running. Only three times per week, and it gradually builds to running 30 minutes straight. As others have said, don't try to do too much too fast.

Also, invest in some minimalist running shoes like Vibram Five Fingers or something similar. Padded running shoes desensitize your feet, making it easier to run wrong and harm yourself. There are natives in various parts of the world who run 30+ miles a day barefoot and they are much healthier than people who run in padded shoes. Plus, your legs will get sexier faster with minimalist shoes because you work more muscle groups, especially in the lower legs.

For strength training, concentrate on repetitions of various exercises instead of messing with increasing resistance/weight. Do pushups, situps and other body-only exercises, because those sorts of things can easily fit into a schedule. Gym time and weights are great, but going to a dedicated place for exercise eats up time and makes the exercise seem harder, making it easier to give up.

[Guest Kaylee234]

I'm about to start the C25K program myself, since one of the girls I work with convinced me to sign up for a 5K in October with her. No backing out now! Gotta get runnin'

~ Kay

[JJ]

It took me nearly 60 years to reach a point I'd do something if someone ordered me to do it-and that includes myself. Yet if I made up my mind and wanted to do something hell and high water couldn't stop me. And though I love the feeling after exercising I absolutely loathe traditional exercise and with physical problems from back and knee injuries along with Lupus can always find reasons and excuses not to do it. But I found a way to get in better shape than most men my age.

First and most importantly I shifted my approach within myself. This isn't something I am making me do. IIt is something I am going to do because I want to. My choice. And second there are no excuses. None. Stops all that arguing with yourself and the "just today" stuff that ends up being forever. Also I had to find a way of exercising that had an element I enjoyed. At one time I only let myself play my favorite video game when I rode my exercise bike. Set up the bike and Playstation so I could do that. Boss battles were especially good for the exercise. Sometimes I'd find I'd gone further and faster than I planned

Now I hike the national forest. I'm an amateur photographer and love capturing the changes I see from day to day-but it also keeps it fresh for me and keeps me engaged while giving me the alone time I need. I find my workouts I also do during the hike aren't so bad doing them out there although I hate doing them at home.

Those are the things that work for me. How I approach it. No excuses and finding a way to make it something I like. I find those hikes have become a necessary part of my life now.

Johnny

[Guest texmc26]

I was a personal trainer for several years and now I'm in the physical therapy field and I tell clients and patients it's important to try find something you like doing it can make it feel like less of a chore. Try different activities swimming, walking/running, cycling. But then think outside the box tennis, raquetball, ice or roller skating, volleyball, hiking, canoeing. Anything that gets you moving and your heart rate up.

I'm one of those people who hates doing just about any type of cardio but riding my bike, but only outside I can't do it in a gym. For me it's not just a workout its a stress reliever. It gets me outside and seeing a bunch of different scenery and helps me clear my head.

Good luck and have fun with it

Megan