[camjen1]

Hello all,

I need some tips on exercising. I would just love to hear what exercises have been beneficial to others. I HATE exercising. Lately I have been doing it everyday but my ideal workout is doing 2 minutes here doing 2 minutes later and so on. I just get so bored. I have tried many workout videos as well and well lets say now they are dust collectors. Please also tell me if you think if I am always moving if it is considered exercise such as while cooking dinner I will lift my legs up and down or dance. Any help and ideas would be great. Thanks!

~Sandi

[dixiepixie64]

Hi Sandi,
I think for any form of exercise to be successful that you have to find something you really like to do and that you get enjoyment from. Otherwise it requires effort to get motivated each time and sooner or later one is tempted to "fall off the wagon." Personally I get really bored in gyms and like to be outdoors so I try to find things to do like running, hiking and bicycling so I can enjoy the countryside, spring flowers, birds, etc. at the same time. I have explored a lot of the surrounding countryside by bicycle and on foot and it is amazing what you miss riding around in a car - beautiful streams, wildlife, etc.

Another thing you could do is set a goal for yourself like choose a local 5K race that you would like to run in, get a pal involved and train for it together and then plan a special reward when you achieve your goal. I started running that way - by training for a local women's four mile race with a group over one summer. The camaraderie was excellent - I made many new friends and one thing led to another and now I can honestly say I like running and look forward to it for many reasons.

[nantomsuethom]

Not only do I think excerise is boring (I am a little lazy), I don't have a lot of time...boyscouts, piano, katate (3days a week).

But I have made time for myself. Somedays dinner is a little late but I give myself about 1 hour to use my treadmill 3x a week. I dread the thought of getting on it but know I have to. My hubby and kids got me cordless headphones for my birthday that work with the tv and the cd player, these make it a little more tolerable.

[happypumper]

I get bored really fast on anything done indoors such as an exercise bike, etc. If I go outside, I can ride a bike for an hour or more, walk for 45 minutes. Even in front of a TV, I get very bored with exercise inside. I used to go to a health club and had the same exerience. I recently got an iPod and found that listening to my favorite music allows me to spend even more time walking the dog. I actually look forward to it!
Dave

[camjen1]

Thanks for the tips. I do have a treadmill that is 3 years old but let's say it has never been broken into. Better get to running. I do agree walking outside gives you more things to enjoy and look at during your walk or run. May I ask has any of the females ever considered Curves gym. I have but I have heard it is a pretty penny and knowing me I will do it once or twice and never show my face again.

[dixiepixie64]

My mother-in-law goes to Curves and likes it when she goes, but she falls off the wagon a lot. Years ago I would go and sign myself up for aerobics classes at the "Y" and never would finish the session...I'd start out all motivated and then *poof* one day I wouldn't go and it would be so easy not to go the next time, etc. etc. I was bored out of my mind indoors in a gym. Today I have to go run three of my six miles for today on a treadmill at lunch because I won't have time after work to do all six.... the only thing that's getting me there is the race I've been training for all winter is only four weeks away and I have three new songs I downloaded into my MP3 to listen to....

Here's my next suggestion: how about getting a friend to meet you and go for walks or go exercise together? Then you will have an excuse to get out there (supporting your friend!) and someone to chat with to pass the time.

[TAutry]

Sandi,

Interestingly enough my wife and I were discussing this topic recently. She is not particularly motivated when it comes to exercise. I am. It is one of those differences that occur among people. While she will occasionally complain about clothing sizes or not having energy or her wait, she hasn't found the motivation to do anything about it.

Lest you think I am running her down, let me say that in her defense, her day is spent caring for our very active 15 month old. As you know, that is a day that extends through all 24 hours and seems to last more like 30 hours on some days. However, she has never really been interested in exercise, even before the baby.

We are all motivated differently. It seems that I came into the world motivated. I am very optimistic and rarely believe in the word 'impossible'.

Why do you feel the need to exercise? What do you hope to accomplish? In other words, what's your motivation? Once you honestly answer those questions, in light of your overall lifestyle, then you might be able to find an exercise system that suits you. There isn't a one-size-fits-all approach to exercise, no matter what the infomercials tell us.

Travis

[camjen1]

The goal I want to achieve is to look good once again. My weight has been all over the chart . Before I found out I was diabetic I weighed in at around 190 lbs. After finding out I was diabetic I went all the way down to 110 lbs. With me it seems like a 2 step forward 1 step back type of deal. I lose weight and then I gain double back, lose weight again and double the weight back. I am extremely depressed when my weight is up. Literally in my closet I have every womans size possible because I know if today those size 10 jeans don't fit me I know the 12 will or maybe the 14. When I get the motivation to exercise though it good week filled with exercising and a good diet after that week its down hill and eventually is stopped all together. I was so determined one time to get my weight down in the beginnging that I actually stopped taking my insulin and dealt with the sickness just to lose some extra pounds . I know I know there is about a dozen people yelling at their screens right now, believe me I have learned my lesson and would not even think of doing that ever again. Well I guess I should get off the computer and get to exercising.

~Sandi

[Lee73]

Hi Sandi,

I have a rule that works for me (so far):

If it feels like exercise, it is exercise.
I fall into the catagory of highly active (read: hyperactive) and highly disorganized. I have a hard time with any form of exercise that feels regimented. I get bored pretty easily. Can't stand working out in the gym, but love dancing (around my apartment or out with friends) and swimming (belong to the neighborhood public pool) and riding my bicycle (alas, it was stolen for the second time). I live in a city where I don't need a car and so I walk everywhere (or ride my bike inbetween thefts). In other words, there are plenty of ways to get your exercise without joining a gym or buying a video. Exercise doesn't have to be a drag and it should never be painful. Find something that feels right that can be easily and realistically incorporated into your daily routine. Anything that gets your heart rate up a bit and gets your blood circulating. A long walk does the trick and is free. It is different for everyone. So...stir that soup, lift those legs, do a little dance, repeat.

Lee

P.S. If anyone sees a mint green "chopper" style bicycle with a rusty chain and a gold, gliterry banana seat, circa 1970's..... lemme know...it's my baby.

[ksa01]

I agree -- If it feels like exercise, it is exercise.

I too have a difficult time sticking with a regular regime. Recently I've started pushing the issue again with myself and have managed to exercise 3-4 times a week (aerobics, yoga, cleaning, walking...) in the last month. This my sound sillly, but I use chart. In a calendar, I mark when I exercise and for how long. To make it less overwhelming, I use a calendar that only shows 1 week at a time and I set a goal of 3 times a week or 3 hours total. This allows my the flexibility to procrastinate, quit when I get bored or tired, or go crazy when I'm really energetic. I know this isn't necessarily ideal but it's better than nothing.

[duck]

I'm going to disagree with the "if it feels like exercise it is exercise" school of thought (but just a little). Being active doesn't necessarily qualify as being fit, so you have to decide which you are trying to achieve.

For instance: How many movers working for a moving company have you seen that have a beer gut? These guys move refrigerators and couches, yet I wonder how much they can bench and how long/far they can jog.

And on the other hand, I know a bunch of gym-rats who look like Adonis but once they are out of the gym you won't find them doing anything more active than playing a video game or watching football (instead of playing it).

And last, there are those people who garden, mow, till, plant, do yardwork without breaking a sweat, yet they don't look like Adonis and wouldn't pass for being physically fit.

So in my mind it depends on what your goals are, and then you have to take specific steps toward that goal (or goals). If your intent is to run a marathon, power-lifting probably isn't what you want to use as a training regimen. If your intent is to become very strong, jogging all the time won't get you there. If your intent is to look like Baywatch lifeguard, gardening and tilling your garden won't get you there...

I do agree it is very important to keep records. And lee hit on a point that people miss all the time; it has been shown that ten minutes of exercise three times daily is almost as effective as 30 minutes of continuous exercise. So start slowly if you have to, just perservere and stick with it.

[KickStart101]

Hi Sandi: My first thought is: you have a Baby. If you like fast dancing you and your baby will bond and get exercise. I did alot of that to keep me in shape and I still dance to my fave fast dance music. I also do the treadmill for 20 mnutres, I used to always wrestle with my hubbie, but he's too tired now, we still walk around six square blocks and I sometimes bike with my daughter 6 square blocks if my knees hold out in the spring and summer and fall, plus the exercise I do with my big Pro Ball.

[KickStart101]

By The Way Sandi: A Big Congrats on your Baby Girl!!!!! I know
you are enjoying her.......

[camjen1]

Thanks for eveyone's advice. My baby does keep me on my feet and going. I actually use her as a dumbell sometimes . I have been exercising everyday now and feel good. I have been increasing the time each day. My Dr. also put me on a pill to help with my weight loss. I have had to boost my basal rate up dramatically from the weight gain. My average daily total of insulin basal and bolus was around 56-60 units in a day before the weight gain. Now I am on a daily total of 75-79. Big difference but I am going to keep exercising and telling myself to keep up with it. I really hope this all works out before summer.

~Sandi

[duck]

The most important thing about exercise is consistency...You'll be fine.