How often do you exercise/ How do you get motivated?

[Mulholland Drive]

Long distance running is my principle form of exercise, and have bee doing it for many years, primarily for competing in marathons.

I run nearly every day because I am in constant fear that if I take a long enough break I'll suddenly put on a ton of weight - which has happened to a degree.

I also like brisk walks, swimming and cardio, although I don't bother with a gym - too many poseurs in those places.

I think as I get older (almost 28), the harder it is to find the motivation, and yet at the same time it is important to keep fit and stay healthy as you approach middle or old age.

 

[Saddlesoap]

I voted every other day, but it's generally 4-5 times a week.

I do some yoga most days and try and run three times a week.

I hate the thought of running, tolerate it when I'm out, but feel great once it's done. I don't go far, between 4-5km

 

[Nolongerjustalurker]

I do barre 2-3x per week (currently on zoom but I’m happy to support my teacher as she’s been amazing and run all her classes throughout every lockdown) and a yoga class on zoom, again to support my local studio. I also walk every day. I actually bought an exercise bike back in March but I think I’ve used it twice.. it was a cheap one and it’s rubbish so I feel like it’s doing nothing!

 

[Dogtanian]

I voted every day. I motivate myself by remembering I'm a large git

 

[WilmaHun]

After reading all your replies I decided to give a youtube workout a go last night. Lasted 10 mins before giving up. Partner was laughing at me. Dog thought it was a fun game and kept trying to jump on me. Could see a bag of giant wotsits out of the corner of my eye and that was me done

Today is a new day and I think I'll take myself off to the beach this evening on my own where noone can laugh at me, the dog won't be invited and there'll be no wotsit distractions and try for a little run.

 

[SunshineDreamer]

I’m one of those people who loves exercise, but I’m also extremely lucky as we have a gym and a pool.
I typically use the gym equipment every other day. On the days where I’m not doing anything on the equipment I’ll do some form of yoga or Pilates. I’ll also swim every day. I absolutely love swimming (bonus points if I’m taming my 3 children as well)

I have always love running too but whilst training for the London marathon I’ve damaged my knee so I’m trying to build up my strength and distance again on the treadmill.

 

[Saddlesoap]

After reading all your replies I decided to give a youtube workout a go last night. Lasted 10 mins before giving up. Partner was laughing at me. Dog thought it was a fun game and kept trying to jump on me. Could see a bag of giant wotsits out of the corner of my eye and that was me done

Today is a new day and I think I'll take myself off to the beach this evening on my own where noone can laugh at me, the dog won't be invited and there'll be no wotsit distractions and try for a little run.

Download Couch to 5km before you go x

 

[skvallertant]

Do any of the runners have any tips for getting over running in public? I love to run and when I lived in the countryside I could run for hours and not see another soul. Now I live in the city and even at 5am there's people about and I really don't like the thought of people seeing me out running. I know it's pathetic, but I just don't like it

Edit. In the spirit of the thread, now that I "can't" run, I just do lots of step ups using a chair, sit ups and press ups. I try to do at least 20 minutes every other day or so.

 

[no-no]

Do any of the runners have any tips for getting over running in public? I love to run and when I lived in the countryside I could run for hours and not see another soul. Now I live in the city and even at 5am there's people about and I really don't like the thought of people seeing me out running. I know it's pathetic, but I just don't like it

Edit. In the spirit of the thread, now that I "can't" run, I just do lots of step ups using a chair, sit ups and press ups. I try to do at least 20 minutes every other day or so.

Wear a baseball cap I was the same when I first started but when you next go out just look at all the people running, there’s loads of all different abilities. I always wear a cap and if I’m feeling self-conscious I just pull it low. You should be looking down at an angle anyway for posture.

I’m unable to run atm due to a knee injury as well as being royally f*cking bored of running in my area. I hate home workouts or lifting weights. I need the quick hit of cardio.

Those homemade workout plans by influencers/“boss HIIT babes” or Joe Wicks make my toes curl, I would literally have more fun starving myself than doing them just no.

I’ve got some equipment recently so will be able to work out most days I used to be a big walker but it bores me now having to stay local and takes me at least double/triple the time to burn the calories I do running even with clunky ankle weights on.

OP - is there anything active from childhood you loved? I was big on skipping but have no space in my tiny yard so I got a mini trampoline the other day which is basically the same. I absolutely love it. Both those are easy to get hold of and are a better workout calorie expenditure wise if you incorporate light weights than following some YTer video (IME).

 

[HowlOwl]

Walking is all I do. I have done workouts in the past, Davina, Elle, etc, but quite honestly I can’t be arsed and I‘m not that bothered if my arms, bum and tum aren‘t honed. What I do enjoy is, out the house for 30 - 60 mins, look at stuff even if it’s the same local streets I know off by heart, it’s surprising what details you notice; good music on the headphones, maybe take some photos.

 

[bellinibobble]

Anyone looking for workout recommendations or motivation/support - join us on the weight loss and healthy living thread!

Back at the start of the month I hadn’t done any exercise in years. This week I’ve exercised every day It really helps having some mutual support.

 

[skvallertant]

Wear a baseball cap I was the same when I first started but when you next go out just look at all the people running, there’s loads of all different abilities. I always wear a cap and if I’m feeling self-conscious I just pull it low. You should be looking down at an angle anyway for Posture.

Thanks for this! In future I'll do that.

Also I totally understand the being bored with walking/running the same routes. Hopefully it'll be better in spring when the trees and flowers are changing all the time!

 

[LittleMy]

Does playing Just Dance and chasing after your children around the park count?

I move a lot in work for 12 hours a night and go for walks with the kids on days off (not much lately due to awful weather and mood). At my healthiest I used to go to gym for an hour at least 3 times a week and also some fitness classes in between. One of my best friends is an instructor, which motivated me.

 

[skvallertant]

Does playing Just Dance and chasing after your children around the park count?

Definitely! When I used to babysit I was quite muscly by accident because of carrying toddlers around all the time I also knew someone who was quite overweight and lost a bunch of weight using dance machines at arcades and switching to diet coke!

 

[Milliehaha123]

Biggest tip I’ve got and what others have said is find something you like.
I honestly bleeping hate running and for a long time blamed my lack of exercise on how much I despised it. I hate the looks, the fact people can get in the way, how boring it is, how it made me feel etc.

I discovered body by ciara about 10 months ago and honestly never looked back. Her classes are hit / body part focused but also has loads of other options like Pilates yoga etc. I’m a stone and a half down and haven’t changed my diet. I honestly love it, plus it makes you feel amazing (a feeling which is pretty rare these days!)

 

[Rbarb-bkini]

I am such a sendetary person, I hate exercise and the last time I lost a lot of weight was when I was walking to and from work before I met my partner five years ago and then I went up three dress sizes and hate my body now.
My main motivation to lose weight now is for my wedding as I don't want to look back at my photos and see my awful double chin and chunky arms
I loved swimming when I was younger and was planning on taking it back up before Covid hit last year.
During my furlough I went on the exercise bike a lot and went for a few longer bike rides, but with winter and being back working I don't have the motivation.
Instead me and my partner go for a brisk walk every day during our lunch break, and then I try and do a long walk on the weekend as well. When we're able to again I'm definitely going to start swimming.

 

[HideTheHunter]

I walk the dog each day, but its more of an amble around rather than a proper-out-of-breath walk. I go up and down stairs about 3 or 4 times a day, and use the WiiFit for various step or Just Dance exercises. It keeps me ticking over I suppose, nothing too strenuous. I really should put more effort in. At work I was always rushing around, hardly had time to eat and was pretty fit.
I want one of those bars that you fasten to the door frame for lift ups (or however its called) and plan to go wild swimming when lockdown ends.

 

[openbook1]

I walk the dog each day, but its more of an amble around rather than a proper-out-of-breath walk. I go up and down stairs about 3 or 4 times a day, and use the WiiFit for various step or Just Dance exercises. It keeps me ticking over I suppose, nothing too strenuous. I really should put more effort in. At work I was always rushing around, hardly had time to eat and was pretty fit.
I want one of those bars that you fasten to the door frame for lift ups (or however its called) and plan to go wild swimming when lockdown ends.

Pull ups!! We have one of those, they are really hard. I am trying to build up muscle and strength so I can do them properly, lol.

 

[HideTheHunter]

Pull ups!! We have one of those, they are really hard. I am trying to build up muscle and strength so I can do them properly, lol.

Haha! I was thinking of lift because you have to *lift* your body, forgetting that you actually pull yourself up! Yeah I want to flatten my tummy. I used to do kickboxing years ago and did situps with medicine balls being thrown at me. God, I had abs of steel back then now I feel like a flump

 

[Cupcakeapple]

I always hated any form of exercise and sports growing up. I don’t think I had seen the inside of a gym until the age of about 21. I was lucky that I found something I enjoy (weights) and it’s just so much a part of my life now I’d feel very lost if I just stopped doing it. I do sometimes go too far and start to feel guilty if I have a break, which isn’t healthy either. I do wish I had motivation for cardio though as my fitness isn’t good, I can barely run a mile and sometimes get out of breath climbing stairs
Ps I selected “every other day” but at the moment it’s more like 2/3x a week

Im the opposite I love doing cardio but just can’t get in on weights. I really want to start doing weights though. do you mind me asking what weight you started off lifting I don’t even know where to start with it or what I’m at