Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

I HATE exercising! What Should I do?!



Recommended Posts

Let me be clear that I have always hated exercising, even when I was on active duty. Cardio is the worst!

How do I get started without loathing it? What should I do? Nobody in my healthcare group has really discussed with me where to start and how to stick with it. HELP!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Are you pre op or post op? Before my surgery I used to despise exercise. Once I began losing weight exercise got a lot easier and more fun. I try to stay active with things I enjoy such as kayaking, hiking, & swimming.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Find something you like to do that is also fun. Bike riding, bowling, hiking, dancing. etc.....

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had surgery August 26, so I'm 11 days post-op. I feel like I should start doing something.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

11 days post-op all you really need to be doing is moving. Walking is fine.

For me, I have to find exercise that I enjoy. I'm a Water baby, so anything in the Water is my preference: water aerobics, swimming, etc.

When I am able, I also like dancing. Try signing up for a dance class. You can take exercise classes like Zumba or technique-oriented classes. I've enjoyed belly-dancing in the past. I know people who love to waltz and others who like country line dancing and Salsa. It wouldn't hurt to try something you have never done before.

A lot of people like yoga and I hope to take a yoga class as I become more mobile.

Best of luck. I hope you find exercise that you enjoy doing.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

For now walking is enough. Everything else should be a discussion between you and your doctor. I had a easy surgical experience. I walked in recovery, then walked regularly once home. After my 2 week follow up I started using 3 lb hand weights. By week 3 I resumed Water aerobics. The first month or so I probably went 3 times a week. Currently I go 5 -6 days a week. Listen to your body, double check with your medical team.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

You know, you don't HAVE to excerise to lose weight. It's really 90% diet. Obviously excerise has it's benefits (keeping your muscle that you will lose with the weight loss, increasing your metabolism, good for your heart etc....) but weight loss is mostly diet. How about just walking? Taking your dog on walks, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, parking further away to get a good walk in?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am with you. I HATE any kind of "intentional exercise". So, I just have to find more ways to move more naturally or doing things that I enjoy like gardening. Yesterday, I needed some new clothes badly so I went to the mall. I walked quickly from one end to the other and back before beginning my shopping, and by the end of the day, I had walked over 130000 steps! (I work from home and on days when I don't go anywhere, it's really easy for me to get less than 2000!) And the good thing was I really enjoyed it and it didn't feel like exercise. It wasn't going to a gym, feeling like people were looking at me, being confused about how to use equipment, doing boring exercise videos or anything that I despise. Other days I will find somewhere interesting to explore. I use stairs when I can, park further away from stores and just do whatever I can to add at least a little more activity to my day like getting up during commercials and cleaning something. Every little bit helps.

I have found that I need to do some toning though after losing over 100 lbs. So I have some small hand weights and use tone to try to get rid of my bat wings. I know crunches are the best way to firm my tummy so I don't mind doing a few minutes of those. Since it's a heck of a lot easier now to get up off the floor, those are easier too!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Start by walking - seriously, it's the best thing you can do for recovery.

Once you're cleared for more than walking, maybe try a class like spinning or Zumba. Try getting a personal trainer to get you started. I have also found the buddy system does work - I didn't believe in it at first, but knowing there is someone at the gym waiting for me, got me motivated.

I found hot yoga a year ago - I didn't think I would like it, but I stuck with it for the first 2 week trial membership. I absolutely love it. I never thought I would. It is now my passion. But I know that I have to do other things as well - I have found I love hiking. I have also found a renewed passion for biking.

One thing that keeps me motivated is goals - I set out to log 1000 miles of intentional exercise this year. I set out each month with a goal (maybe 100 miles and 15 yoga practices or something like that). I verbalize my goals to friends and co-workers - that helps me with accountability. They check in on my progress periodically.

Just find something you like to do and do it - commit to it. If that gets boring, find something else.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Once i reached the point where I could do more than walk, I went to a local gym and spoke to a trainer and told him he had to keep me going. I go three days a week to the gym and other days I get on my elliptical at home for a little bit in the morning. I try and be active on non-gym days by mowing the lawn or parking a block away from things.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have been simply walking as I have been on restriction for nearly 4 months. I am not a fan of exercise myself but I do love the way I feel after.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am with you. I HATE any kind of "intentional exercise". So, I just have to find more ways to move more naturally or doing things that I enjoy like gardening. Yesterday, I needed some new clothes badly so I went to the mall. I walked quickly from one end to the other and back before beginning my shopping, and by the end of the day, I had walked over 130000 steps! (I work from home and on days when I don't go anywhere, it's really easy for me to get less than 2000!) And the good thing was I really enjoyed it and it didn't feel like exercise. It wasn't going to a gym, feeling like people were looking at me, being confused about how to use equipment, doing boring exercise videos or anything that I despise. Other days I will find somewhere interesting to explore. I use stairs when I can, park further away from stores and just do whatever I can to add at least a little more activity to my day like getting up during commercials and cleaning something. Every little bit helps.

I have found that I need to do some toning though after losing over 100 lbs. So I have some small hand weights and use tone to try to get rid of my bat wings. I know crunches are the best way to firm my tummy so I don't mind doing a few minutes of those. Since it's a heck of a lot easier now to get up off the floor, those are easier too!

I am of the school of thought that any strenuous activity is exercise. I count gardening and walking as exercise. People get too caught up in traditional gym related activities and it can impede them from exercising. The key is to move more. Find something you love. If it's gardening do that. If it's dancing, do that. Just get your body moving!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

@@Sunshine3073 - As well stated by Babbs, most of the weight loss will come from food choices. However, the tone, contour of your body as well the quality of your life are going to be determined by exercise. So you have some choices, if you have the mind set that I can take my medicine in small doses - use this method: http://www.mercola.com/infographics/what-is-peak-fitness.htm - best results, small time commitment. Or if you want to get it all done in one or two weekends a month, climb a mountain (6000 calories burned in one day:  http://www.bariatricpal.com/topic/346873-once-a-wish-now-done-what-makes-you-proud/).

Now my personal experience has been I have been so turned on by how much more I can do because of the weight loss it has turned me on and I've become a gym rat and I like 5K's. My neighbors commented at my Home Owners meeting "what in the world happened to you, you've lost weight, your coming running down the street all the time."

Now, my favorite trick that I am only sharing with you is really good audio books. I load those on my iPod. I am only allowed to listen when I am working out. So if I want to continue listening, I have to take a walk or run.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I hate it too! I've lost over 100 pounds and I still have to make myself exercise. I did find a few things I can do that I don't HATE. I do Zumba on Monday, Body Pump on Tuesday and thursday, Aquacize on Saturdays, hit the treadmill on Wednesdays, and the row machine on Fridays. I schedule it in my planner. I have become a regular so I feel as if I need to be there. Find something that is bearable. I cannot just run on the treadmill everyday...boring! I am NOT a runner anyway. If I can't make it to the gym I just turn on some music and dance like no one is watching! I burn as many calories doing that as I do at the gym. DVDs are a great way to work out at home. There are some really good ones out there.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I hated it, too. Do it anyway. Have music, a friend, a movie... something or someone to focus on and just get it done. Eventually you'll find something you hate less and less. Swimming has gotten to be very enjoyable. The treadmill and I are discussing terms...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×