Reluctant Exercisers Support Group
 

Hi everyone,
I've been debating on starting this group for several reasons. One I was really trying to think of an appropriate name. I don't hate exercise. I dread it. I know it is important and all of the wonderful benefits it provides, blah, blah, etc but motivating myself to do it is difficult. I wouldn't term myself a couch potato because once I get going I love it so finally I came up with "Reluctant Exercisers". Second I was trying to think of where to post. Not the fitness forum because they are exercising over there. Then I thought of the Chicks Up for a Challenge section but then thought I didn't think it really fit. So...decided to make it a support group because that is what I am looking for. Also I was thinking do I want to start another thread but then had to admit I spend a lot of time on 3FC because it is my 24/7 support group so I can keep up with it.

So here we go...anyone that is having difficulty motivating themselves to exercise please join me on this quest to really stop talking about it and doing it.

This is exactly how I feel. Once the exericising is over I am extremely proud of myself for doing it, but I have a hard time becoming motivated. I dread the thought of starting also.

Wilma

HI! I'm here, too!

I don't know if I'm reluctant as much as I just don't have time, and when I do have time, there are a gazillion other things that need to be done so sometimes exercising just seems like trivial self-indulgence. I'm doing better while I'm at work (I do a lot of stair climbing and some occassional strength stuff at my desk). But overall, I'm not so good. I'd rather read a good book, and I haven't figured out how to do aerobic reading yet. I'm working on it, though.

Equipment bores me, I don't have time for classes, and most workout DVDs have me snoring quickly. I've found that more unusual workout DVDs keep my interest better - bellydance, bhangra/bollywood-style aerobics, and (hehehe) Carmen Electra's strippercise are all fun. For some reason, I feel like I'm learning something from those rather than just mindlessly jumping around my living room. Plus, there's an added skill benefit from some (not that I'm looking at becoming a stripper, but I'm sure there's some weird situation where strippercising could come in handy. Again, I'm working on it! :dizzy:)

Let me tell you about my exercise life. I am a Therapeutic Recreation Programmer. So generally I manage recreation programs for individuals with disabilities. I do directly implement programs occasionally. Right now I am leading a Water Exercise program for individuals with MS and other physical disabilities. We use noodles, resistance bands, and weights in the water. I co-lead a program with individuals with TBI. Part of that program includes seated exercise with homemade weights (water bottles filled with water). So until the middle of May I have 3 built in exercise days. I want to add two days of cardio. I think I will go on a Jillian exclusive routine for the first couple of weeks and then revisit. I will attempt to do Jillian's Cardio Kickboxing in about 15 minutes. I aim high don't I? I will check back in after doing that.

:welcome: Slim n up & Havoc!

Slim n up--Look I'm procrastinating now. I need to be gettting my workout gear on and I'm sitting here on the computer :D!

Havoc--I get bored easily too. That's why I have a treadmill, elliptical, and urban rebounder. Countless accessories, a gym membership, and over 50 fitness dvds/vhs. Yet, rarely use them. I also can find a million things to do. I have a lot of movies to watch, tv shows to watch, books to read, people to talk to on the phone, school work to do, errands to run,and sometimes I am plain tired. It seems like you've figured out a way to keep your interest with dvds that aren't just straight exercise but have a fun element too.

Gotta go exercise before I find an excuse not to. I will check back in and let you know if I survived.

Okay I'm back and I survived but.....OMFG! Five minutes in I was hoping it would only be 30 minutes. I waited 1 hour after eating to exercise. Mistake-- next time which I hope to be Saturday I will wait at least 2 hours after eating. I wish I had a HRM because I know it was up there. The jumping jacks were the hardest because I tend to half do them but decided to full out do them. As she got to the 3rd or so set of 30 jumping jacks it got a little easier.

I am hurting today. I still plan to do Cardio Kickboxing with Jillian tomorrow. We'll see if my body agrees.

Can join? Please? I have the hardest time with exercise. Like you, I know that it is good for me, but there are so many other things that I could be doing, that it almost seems like a waste of time. I wear a pedometer all the time, and I get at least 12000 steps a day, but I really need to come up with a better plan. I'm going to start running in the next couple of weeks (waiting on my gear), and I need to start some kind of regime for my *ahem* muffin top. I haven't done any exercise yet today, but when I get home from work I'm going to try to ride my bike for at least a mile or two.

Hi MonteCristo--Of course all are :welcome3:

I'm already making up excuses for tomorrow but I will exercise.

alright i know i need the help in this area. so knowing that i am not alone already helps. so please count me into the group

I want to join too. Right now I am just [I]thinking[I] about exercise, with the goal of actually getting on the treadmill in the next couple of weeks. In the past, once I start exercising (walking, it is the only thing that I stick with) I'm happy...but getting started....that's hard.

I promise that by May 1 I'll be on the treadmill.

Pandora

Hi mrsaugie--We meet again!

Pandora--I know what you mean. I had a goal of exercising by Earth day and that worked. I had been off the bandwagon for a long time. If it wasn't for work I wouldn't have had any exercise. To be honest if you don't make it on the treadmill by May 1st that's fine. I think you have to want to exercise on some level and until you are there its pointless because you may start then just give up.

I will check in after I exercise in the morning.

Okay I did it again. It was better this time. I didn't feel like I was about to die until halfway through. And what's up with that itch in the video asking "Is that it?" Issues!

I wasn't able to ride the bike yesterday as it was pouring down rain all evening. I did still get my walking in, so that is something! Today I went and got myself a new workout outfit, just to jumpstart my motivation for the new running program that I'm going to be starting on the 28th. Silly, I know, but anything that gives me extra motivation is a good thing.

MonteCristo--Good job on still finding a way to exercise!

Oh I love getting new workout dvds/videos and new outfits too. I haven't bought a new outfit in awhile. I wasn't allowing myself to do that because I haven't been working out. Maybe I will set up to reward to buy a new outfit after sticking to my plan for a bit. I need to think about that one.

Shay-- yes we do

so did not do my normal exercising yesterday because i was at a wedding (wedding #1 for this year #2 is in June). i also signed up for the 3FC Memorial Day 5k so starting hopefully today other wise tomorrow i will really start to work on improving my 40 minutes from the last one.

mrsaugie--Talking about the 5K I think I will set my goal at 45 minutes. My little legs can only move so fast on my treadmill and I generally have difficulty with my endurance and breathing so the ultimate goal would be to finish no matter how long it takes.

good luck with that i know that you can do it

I've gotten so hyped about this exercising thing, that I went ahead and jumpstarted my running program. Today during my thirty minutes of power walking, I added three 30 second runs. Not much, I know, but it was 1.5 minutes more than I had done before, and I'm proud of myself. :cheer:

well i have to say that i am proud of myself because even though i have the remnants of an ugly headache i still exercisied. I walked 1.5 miles in half an hour. not my best but at least it is something.

I haven't done any exercise in several months because of a variety of excuses, but today I did a 1-mile Walk Away the Pounds dvd (I was doing 4 miles 6 months ago). The only way I can make myself exercise is to do it the minute I get home from work: put my stuff down, change my clothes and do it, don't look at the mail and for god's sake, don't turn on the computer.

Ahhh!! Something for me, possibly? I have a terrible time with exercising... and I know I really need to start doing that more. Just gotta get my butt up and move..
And you know what? I completely forgot that I even had a bike... I haven't rode it since last year. :] Whoops.
My new goal is to ride for thirty minutes a day, starting Saturday.
And then possibly add more exercise as I go on?

I think this group is a great idea.... :]

Dinahgirl-- i am the same way. i also find that if i exercise right after i get home i also have some ambition to do some of the things around the house i usually do not want to do if they need to be done at the time.

alex19114--welcome i am in the same boat with the bike. i also have atrailer for my son to ride in when i go.

mrsaugi - Way to go on the exercising! I know how debilitaing a bad headache can be, sometime just walking feels like it is jarring your brains lose! Every little bit of exercise is a victory for us over the enemy!

Dinahgirl - Kudos to you for starting the exercising back up. I'm sure you'll be back up to 4 miles in no time. I totally understand what your saying about going straight to exercising. I still live with my parents, and I've got eight little brothers and sisters who are clamoring for my attention as soon as I walk in the door, so if I don't jump straight into my clothes and hit the treadmill, I'm done for.

alex19114 - Welcome, and congratulations for adding an exercise routine! Thirty minutes of bike riding sounds like a great place to start.

Keep up the good work everyone! :cheer:

OK, I am great! :D Two nights in a row, I have walked the Miracle Mile with Leslie. Here's my plan for this week. Every night, except tomorrow night, I am going to do the 15 minute walk. I am going to restrain myself from doing any more than that just for one week. Tomorrow night, my friend and I are going to walk-and-eat after work. After a week of this, I will go up to the 2-mile dvd.

My eating wasn't too good today. But that's ok. Tomorrow I will do better.

Everybody is doing great!:carrot:

walked 3.11 miles in 42 minutes

I need some help guys!
I've had just a really sucky 2 weeks-work, not really followinf WW, and not exercising (I do wear my pedometer every day and get my 10,000 steps), but I can't seem to dredge the energy to go to the gym, even though I have a membership.
I teach pre-k all day, and it's like I'm exhausted by 4pm every night.
I needed to buy shorts today, and I had to buy a 16 to feel comfy. A 14 fit, but a little too tight to look at, ya know? Depressing :(
I want to go to the gym tomorrow, and I am actually eager to get back on the WW wagon.
I need a hug! (I'm such a dork....)

I'm in.. im real good at reading these boards.. getting all pshyced to exercise, then something else comes up cause im lazy lol... maybe this will help.. hope so.. i just get sooo bored... yet when i do get moving i feel so good afterwards.. im weird lmao:hug:

Chickybird & jimaterry welcome! We all have problems getting motivated, that's why we're here! ;) I have a terrible time with boredom, especially on the treadmill, so I listen to audiobooks while I'm working out. There is a great site, www.emusic.com, that has tons of audiobooks. I currently have the one audio book a month membership ($10). You just download the book you want, and listen to it on your iPod or other MP3 player. It really helps me give myself an extra push, since I don't let myself listen to it unless I'm exercising.

Yesterday I added another 30 second run to my workout, which brings me up to 2 whole minutes. I also added a couple additional stretches to my routine, so my program lasts about 45 minutes right now. I've also managed to drink 100oz of water the last two days, which is my minigoal for this week.

Hey, chickybird, I'm on WW too. :] Are you on the flex plan?
It's nice, because you get points back for whenever you exercise. All depends on how much you sweat and how much time you spent doing it.
So far I haven't really done anything... I haven't been feeling so good. Caffeine withdrawls. Hah, or that's what my mom tells me.
:]
Alex

yup, I'm on flex. I had a better day today. no gym, but I got in 13,000 steps! I also ate pretty healthy:) thanks for the pep talk!

Chickybird, you are not a dork. Remember: never anything about yourself that you wouldn't ... oh never mind! LOL

I have walked 3 days in a row now. This could be the start of something good! Tomorrow I have to travel out of town for the day, but I'm really hoping to get back early enough to do a walk, even if it's for only ten minutes.

Bye for now.:wave:

Whew the thread has been busy and so have I so I haven't had a chance to check in.

:welcome2: alex19114, Chickybird, jimaterry!

mrsaugie--Thanks for the positive reinforcement that is always helpful for me.

MonteCristo--Congrats on starting the running program. Running is hard period so even a small start is fantastic! Great advice--I will definitely check out that link.

Dinahgirl & mrsaugie--I do a similar thing. I put on my exercise clothes as soon as I get home but walk around in them until I am ready to exercise. My mom does the same thing. I LOL alot when I'm walking around in my clothes and I wonder to myself is my mom doing the same thing at the same time at her house.

chickybird--:hug:

jimaterry--I'm the same way. That's one of the reasons I started this thread. I knew there were others out there like me :D!

My exercise:
T--Jillian's Cardio Kickboxing
W--Water Exercise

Good morning. I forgot to report that I did Water Exercise on Monday also. I plan to do Jillian's Cardio Kickboxing tonight. Morning exercise is definitely a better guarantee that I will actually do it but lately all I want to do in the morning is basically nothing. I'm an early riser I should use it to my advantage.

Can I join? I can't stand exercising but love it when I'm doing it. I just can't get up and go. I have the hardest time. Plus, my kids get sick everytime I take them out to go for a walk. I need to start walking and exercising because I'm on a plateau and can't get down then somedays I gain and pound or two and get really discouraged. I'm going to Vegas in July and really wanna get to goal by then. I know I can do it, I've done it before. I need motivation.

tkglenn, welcome! You've come to the right place!

Yesterday I added another 30 second sprint, which brings me up to 2.5 total minutes of running. Today is my day of rest in the running program, so I'll probably just run through my Denise Austen ab workout, and maybe bike for a while.

Yesterday 2.57 miles in 35 min. Today 5.17 miles in 60 min. and i did 3 miles in 35 minutes that includes the 3 times i got off because my son wanted to show me something. for those who do not know i am trying to do 3 miles in 30 minutes mainly because at the beginning of April it took me 40-45 minutes to do now half way through April i am at 40-35 minutes pretty consistently 5 minutes is 5 minutes.

tkglenn- welcome.

montecristo-- good job. keep it up and little by little you will do it :)

tkglenn--Of course you can join . Welcome!

MonteCristo & mrsaugie--The small improvements always count. When I first started exercise years ago I was so out of shape I started with 5 minutes. Each time I would add 2 minutes and slowly worked my way up.

I was supposed to do kickboxing yesterday. Didn't happen. I'm off today so I will exercise. I will be walking non stop on Saturday so I will try to remember to wear a pedometer so I can count that.

I've discovered a new (at least to me) problem with exercising. I'm starving all the time! Yesterday was my day of rest, so I didn't do any "real" exercising besides getting my 12000 steps, so I had a lot of free time in the late afternoon to think about food. It was awful! I know that I'm eating plenty, so it's not like I'm starving myself. I tried drinking whenever I thought about eating but that didn't help very much. Fortunately I'll be able to exercise again tonight, plus it is movie night, so I'll have less time to think about eating.

:dust:

That happens to many of us MonteCristo. Just make sure you are eating enough to fuel your exercise.