Exercise is non-negotionable

[nativetxn]

I got an Atkins calendar for Christmas. Today's entry says:

If you're not getting regular physical activity, you're not doing Atkins right. It's that simple.

Exercise is crucial!

There's more but I'm sure you get the idea. I imagine this is true no matter what plan you follow.

I hate exercise. Someone motivate me, PLEASE!

Katholyn

 

[MelanieC]

Hi Katholyn!

That is just so true. The great thing about exercise is that once you start and get into a routine, you begin to enjoy it and want to continue. The hard part is getting into a routine.

Try starting with something easy like committing to 10 minutes a day for a week and see how you feel. Then you can add if you feel you can easily do that. Eventually you won't want to miss your workouts. Leslie Sansone's WATP's is a great one for getting into the habit. Start with one of her 1 mile and then when you feel comfortable build up. After you get to her 3 & 4 mile and get good at those you'll want to find something more challenging.

We could start a commitment thread again. You just committ to whatever you can handle. Take it slow with babysteps! You can do it!

 

[airhead]

I bike during my favorite shows or sometimes to one of those Disney planning DVDs.You won't believe how fast time goes by!!!! Try it!

 

[DVCTiff]

I hear ya Katholyn - I hate exercise too but otherwise I just diet my little heart out (as I've been doing this last year) and the scale doesn't budge! A person can only take such deprivation for so long!

I've gone back to my Slim in 6 videos and I'm doing the easiest one until I'm sick of it. I get energy late at night so that's when I have to go for it. Work with whatever works for you. I know you can do it!

Tiff

 

[KathyTX]

Baby steps, Kath. Baby steps.

 

[Mom of Sleepy Bashful and BabyDoc]

I am soooooooooooo with you on this one, Katholyn. Just the thought of it makes me get tired. hee hee

But I've started this week, and I have to keep going. It's like what Tiff said. The more I exercise now, the sooner I'll be at my normal weight and a "normal" way of eating. I just can't wait for the day when I don't have to obsess about my weight anymore. lol

You can do it, Kath. I know you can if "I" can.

The sad thing to me is, I used to be the athletic one. I played two sports in high school for 5 years. I was nothing but muscle in a size 8 hockey skirt. I'll never have that body again but I can certainly make this one better.

 

[luvmydogs]

Hi Katholyn!

Always remember that you do not have to work at an exhaustive, high-intensity pace to get great benefits from exercise! When you do low-intensity, steady-state workouts, the majority of calories that you burn will come from fat (as opposed to high-intensity/interval exercise which will initially burn glycogen stores).

I second Melanie's recommendation of WATP tapes, which is what I started with when I began exercising two years ago. Back then I weighed 235 pounds and could barely complete one mile. I kept at it (starting 3x/week) and within a few months worked up to 4 miles, 6x/week. My fitness level began increasing and I moved up to The FIRM workouts. Well, here we are two years later and I'm down 110 pounds and working out 1-1.5 hours a day, 6 days/week. There were so many times in the beginning that I wanted to give up and never lace up my sneakers again--I felt so out of shape and always felt so badly when I couldn't keep up with what the instructors were doing on my workout tapes (Did I ever cry? Oh boy, did I)! My key words were modify, modify, modify! Exercise at a comfortable pace and work within your own fitness level--never feel as though you have to be panting and sweating like a madwoman to be doing wonderful things for your health! And always listen to your body--it will tell you when it's time to up the intensity or when it's time to slow down. Do what you can at first--10 minutes is great! I really think the key is finding something you like to do. There's so much out there now to try: pilates, yoga, kickboxing, powerwalking...I just found the WATP tapes a great place to start!

Believe me Katholyn, if anyone would've told me two years ago that I'd eventually love working out, lifting weights, and be able to out-pushup my husband, I would've said they were insane. But I started slowly, did what I could and every day found myself getting stronger and more confident. I'm now 38 years old and in better shape than I've been in my entire life. You can do it Katholyn! Whatever you need for insipation, whenever you need it, we're here for you!

***Oh, sorry so long!

 

[perfectmatch300]

Kath, come join us in the Jan exercise challenge! It really has kept me motivated knowing I had to check in there & report what I'd been doing. Now exercise is a habit with me, I find I'm really enjoying it, & I'm getting much strongeer, too. I started really slow - about 5-10 min a day. Now my goal for the challenges is 2000 min/month & I usually go way over that. Come on now - you CAN do it!

 

[Christine]

Katholyn,
I know how you feel. Not only do I hate exercising but I don't really have time to do it.

I'm also one of those people that have that "all or nothing" mentality. If I don't feel that an exercise is truly wonderful then I just don't want to do it and end up sitting on the couch. I know someone mentioned a stationary bike--well, my mentality is "they don't provide the best exercise, so why should I waste my time?" This is the bad thinking that I have.

I finally started walking again last week. I only have time for 2 miles (30 minutes). I'm trying to get over the fact that *only* going 2 miles is never going to make me lose weight. But, you know what? I feel better. I guess "so what" if I don't lose weight. My body needs the activity.

So just try to start small and don't even pressure yourself to do more.

 

[pixiedust23]

Katholyn,

Make a mix CD of all your favorite pump you up songs, that will help you to keep going! Also before you exercise just remember how great it feels when you finish and you know yhou've accomplished something to make a healthier you, that usually motivates me to get moving...I just looooooooove that feeling!

 

[airhead]

Really!! Especially in the beginning of your program and in bad weather. Don't underestimate the bike!!!

 

[AuroraluvsPhillip]

I'm 45 and I know that even if I drastically cut my calories, the weight loss wouldn't last because I need to rev up my metabolism. As I aged, my metabolism slowed. I need some form of exercise to keep my body burning the calories I take in instead of storing them.

I read a fitness book a few months back that said you have to find some form of exercise you LOVE otherwise you will not stick with it. I know running has always been my fave activity for workouts so that's what I'm, ever so slowly, getting back into. I get frustrated because I can't just go out and run 2-3 miles like I could in my 20's or 30's, but so far I have seen improvement and I have been injury free. That is so much more important to me because it means I can continue my training. I have the rest of my life to run 5, 10 and ?15K's. Baby steps right now.

I am forcing myself to go out and jog/walk around my subdivision now because it is dark and no one can see me....by spring when the days are longer it won't be as embarrassing to me to be slogging along because I will be in better shape!

Weight training is also key. Two great books are "Strong Women Stay Young" and "Strong Women Stay Slim". Very sensible well written books on how anyone, no matter their age or fitness level can begin a strength training program to boost metabolism and lose weight. (As well as prevent bone loss, an important factor for all women!)

Hope this helps!

 

[tiggerlover]

Exercise is crucial!

Katholyn, this is SOOOO true. I have tried it without exercise and know that I can not get beyond maintenance without it. So I am back to the exercise and hope to see the scale moving down because of it. Any physical exercise will do, it can be as simple as walking as long as you do at leat 30 minutes 4 times a week you are on your way to good health.

 

[ZerasPride]

Here's another push to get you to exercise. I think it helps if you find something you like to do. I know I personally never thought I'd be an exercise lover but now I can't stand to take a rest day and usually don't. The Firm and now Cathe tapes work for me but you have to find something you like that way you will find and/or make time to do it.

What motivates me to execise is being able to fit into my size 10 jeans at 189.5 pounds. I know that wouldn't be possible without the work outs that kick my booty (in a good way of course). Now Katholyn, get movin' girlie!!!