Started exercising 01-13-07.

[Mermaid02]

I have to say I hate EVERYTHING about it. I have an elliptical trainer and I am up to 1/2 hour a day on that sucker. I have not missed a day since I started because I know the day I miss is the day that I stop. There is NO exercise that I enjoy. I drag myself onto that thing every day, but I do feel a sense of accomplishment after I'm done. I watch my Disney Vacation planning DVD every morning while I'm on it. I need to go change and do it now.

So now I've told you all- feel free to ask me (frequently) if I'm still using the elliptical..... maybe it'll keep me going. Thanks for listening.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

I hated exercise too until I got a personal trainer. I never thought I'd hear myself say this, but I love it now.

 

[MushyMushy]

I'm another hater!

I was kind of wondering about those tae bo videos, or some kind of boxing type of exercise. I was punching at my dog the other day (don't ask ) and I realized that it was a whole lot of fun, and I actually felt winded after we were done playing. I felt some muscles in the backs of my arms and back that I didn't know I had!

Do you like to dance? When I was a whole lot thinner, I used to go dancing a lot. Probably what kept me thin. But now that I'm fat, I don't dance. it's a vicious cycle.

 

[lovemygoofy]

I love kickboxing and I'm no skinny minnie myself. I have started taking yoga, I need some inner zen or something maybe alchol lol. Ive also started taking up a dance class at the gym and its alot of fun and I like learning the new moves to try out when we go somewhere. There are all kinds of people in the class including people with rhythm and people with not an ounce but its still a good time for all. I hate things like the elypitcal or the treadmill and had to keep looking for things that I do enjoy to keep me interested. Like Lindsay said a personal trainer does make alot of difference also.

 

[Tantor]

I have been doing my treadmill for going on 4 years now. I have gotten to the point that if I DON'T do it I feel lousy.
I also just started Pilates. Now THAT is tough..................

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Variety is the spice of life--in a 2-4 weeks, you might mix it up and throw another workout into the mix. A DVD...walking/jogging around the neighborhood....anything.

But repeating the same exercise everyday--won't make the boredom/hatred go away.

I miss exercise!!!! Can't wait until I can hop on the treadmill again!

 

[Mermaid02]

We've had the elliptical since last summer and I used it off and on. I started Weight Watchers on line Dec 30th and a couple weeks into it I decided to really start using the elliptical. I do like the fact that it's here at home- I don't have to go out and I do it in the morning before my shower. When I'm done I feel a sense of accomplishment and relief that now it's done and if anyone asks me I can still say that I am using it.

It's a Kettler which I believe is a German company and it counts in kilojoules... does anyone know how to convert that to calories?

 

[Mermaid02]

Found out my kilojoule conversion.... I burned 323 calories already this morning!

 

[Jennifer S]

I hated it too until I lost 30 pounds Now I love it. I feel good. Don't get me wrong I still have to drag myself some days but as a whole I think I'll do it forever. If you stop it's hard to get started again and the pounds may come back.

I think the key is to spice it up - try different exercises. You will get hooked. I never exercised my whole life until I hit 36- it's been two years now.

 

[clarabelle]

I teach spinning -so I like to put in a plug for that.
Lots of good music and you have a very individualized workout.

 

[ZuZugal]

Try doing the elliptical every other day, and on your off days do some light weight training, abdominal exercises, jump rope, etc. That way you are still getting some exercise in but it's not the "same old thing" every day.

I have to admit that being on the elliptical is how I got completely caught up w/Sex and the City. I would watch a different episode every day. Always gave me something to look forward to!

 

[SeaShelley]

YOU GO GIRL!

It's not easy and I find SO many reasons not to exercise....you're doing much better than I am!

I try to walk when it's not bitterly cold out or put in a workout DVD. So far, I only average twice a week, but it's something.

I'm down six pounds since January 1st......19 to go before Grand Cayman!

Keep up the great work my friend!

 

[lborne]

The problem with excercise equipment at home is that there are too many distractions and no one to encourage you along. Most home treadmils / elipticals wind up being expensive clothes racks.

Joining the gym is slightly better, but unless you have a routine with one or more partners, this too can easily be forgotten. How many people skip once for some reason or other, and then never get back to the gym? The gym I go to is packed in January when everyone makes their resolutions. By February, attendence is down 50%.

I've found the best thing to do is have a partner. Someone you can trust. Someone who you don't want to let down and vice versa. Someone you can talk to while excercising. For me, this is my wife. We hit the elipticals twice a week, yoga once a week, and spin once a week together. But on days I am out of town or can't make it, she has a friend who she goes with. The gym has a kids club which our boys like.

So if you end up hating your eliptical so much you stop doing it, realize you are not alone. But don't give up - try a gym, or as was suggested, walk around the block with some friends. I think training at home by yourself is THE hardest program to do. Good luck.

 

[Tink-in-Training]

I don't LOVE to exercise...but I do it. I almost always feel great (and beat) after a good workout. I used to just do cardio (mostly the treadmill) but I found I hit a plateau a lot faster and that was discouraging.

Now I go to the gym 3 days a week and do 40 minutes of weight training and 40 minutes of cardio (the eliptical or if I'm feeling lazy, the bike). Combined with eating right 6 days a week (Sunday, cheat day, is my FAVORITE day!) and a ton of water and I've lost almost 50lbs in less than a year.

I agree that the key is to switch it up. Every few months my BF and I review my workout program (he's in great shape and is always researching workout plans) and decide whether or not to change it up.

Stick with it! It's good for you and...look at it this way. It's like training for days spent walking around WDW!

 

[CapeCodTenor]

I hate going to the gym and working out, but once I get there and get going I feel great. So in the long run, I love working out...once I get going that is.

 

[Mom2Ashli]

Could someone please do some for me? I hate it and I don't have time for it.

I have really bad knees which stops me from doing alot of things other than walking. Which just doesn't help the areas that I feel I need it.

 

[RSoxFan]

I'm kinda the opposite of the OP. I enjoy exercising. I love the elliptical machine and the weight machines, and I love the way I feel after I work out. But I hate going to the gym. I feel like everyone there is saying "Look at the fat girl trying to work out."

 

[Jennifer S]

Rsoxfan - please don't feel like that. We all have to start somewhere. I think it's great you get there. If I see someone heavy at the gym I always think "Good for them". Way to go - keep it up. The pounds will just melt off.

 

[grlpwrd]

Yup, you gotta mix it up.

I've been exercising for years and been a member of fitness boards, too. The one common variable of folks who stick with it long-term and to make improvements until you reach your goal is to rotate your workouts and/or to cross train.

I'm on a strength-Pilates-and-Taebo rotation right now. My next 6 weeks will be free weights-plyometrics-and-elliptical.

You might want to rotate or crosstrain, too. GL!

 

[TEENEE]

Mom2Ashli, I too have a bad knee. I started going to Curves last March. Since then my knee is a lot stronger. I don't have as many aches or pains as I did prior to working out. Give a try, but go slowly, you won't notice the difference right away. I didn't realize my knee was getting stronger until one day it hit me, my knee didn't hurt and hadn't hurt for awhile.