I used to hate exercise. Then, I pushed myself to do it regularly and the benefits surpassed the negative side of it by a lot. For instance, almost all my chronic pain issues are gone, so I’m saving a couple hundreds yearly on healthcare. I also feel better physically (I can move better, I have better endurance) if I’m exercising regularly compared to when I’m not. Because, let’s face it, I don’t like it, so every now and then I stop for reasons and getting into it back again is very difficult. But it’s always worth it.
I’ve recently taken up swimming. I’m much more inspired to do it if it’s an indoor facility, so the city rec center pass is inexpensive and then I’m inspired to go. Even if all I do is fart around on a pool noodle for an hour, I’m still moving, and the water makes the impact on my bad knee go away.
Bike rides are the only thing that made cardio fun for me. The varied environments and the thrill of exploring massage my brain and I end up not noticing how much it sucks to bike straight up the side of a mountain. Also the alternating grind of ascending and thrilling adrenaline rush of descending keeps things fresh.
Exercise outside (preferably in a natural setting) and with a group. Outdoor bootcamp is the holy grail for me. Reasons:
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Outside air is easier to breathe than stale gym air
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There’s always something interesting to look at while you slowly die
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Clumps of grass don’t mind if I swear under my breath
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PEER PRESSURE. IT WORKS.
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At the end of the training session, trauma bonding with the rest of the group
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i learned to love the feeling of muscles getting stretched
Hiking. I don’t try to climb mountains,just get out and move. The fact I have to watch my footing and have a chance of seeing (or at least hearing) wildlife helps distract from the fact exercising sucks.
I use mental tricks as well. I had to bribe myself to get started. “Look there’s a trail near that takeout place you like, if you hike you can get takeout!” If I run out of breath due to uphill terrain, I’m not stopping because I can’t keep going, it’s clearly to look at this neat bird/bug/plant. If I have an off day and need to turn back early, I remind myself that I’ve already won by getting off the couch.
I take my canoe out on a lake that’s 8 minutes from my house. Relaxing, and the exercise is a side effect.
I’m also delusional enough to think I can box so I hit the punching bag for 40 minutes some days. It’s a joke but makes me feel badass.
Pick up an outdoor hobby like disc golf, tennis, pickleball, golf, something that you can enjoy with other people. You can usually find an amateur league of various sports/games and that’ll keep you going when they ask if you’re coming or you’re signed up to play on a team for the season.
You may even enjoy the company of those people and do other sports/activities together.
Turning it into a game can also help.
Remember, it’s more about slowly creating a sustainable habit of moving your body that’s important. You don’t need to run a 10K tomorrow to be successful.
Maybe you can make a map of the parks around your city and put a fun sticker on each park after you visit for 30 minutes, regardless the activity. Idk, just kinda throwing stuff out there.
Hiking. I don’t try to set speed records climbing mountains, but instead find an easy/moderate trail
I use comfortable earbuds, turn on a podcast, and go outside. I walk as far as I can and loop back around and barely notice because the pod was taking up my mental space preventing me from feeling the pains.
Two ways -
- Really really long walks in the city and people watching, or
- Biking like a madman, not measuring anything, only enjoying the wind.
find an activity that you legitimately enjoy. that’s it
Well, shit.
wasn’t trying to be flippant or trivialize this but at the core it’s what is needed
I found that trying to distract or occupy my mind while trying to work wasn’t enough, for example watching a show or listening to music while using my row erg as a primary workout. Still found myself counting down the time and minutes
I climb shit. In the gym and outside. It feeds my inner child, it’s fun, it’s exciting, and it involves problem solving so stimulates the mind. Rowing and biking are now secondary exercises or activities to support my climbing fitness and ability. I find doing them with less intensity, less often, and as support (shorter duration) makes it easier for me to digest because I know it will better me for what I truly enjoy. Along the way you just may find yourself growing to accept, like or love something.
Kinda gotta find workable angles that suit your mind and goals. eventually you’ll have tricked yourself into becoming a healthy bastard who has some fun along the way
Sorry, I totally wasn’t trying to be dismissive either, but I think it came across like that. When depression gets bad it’s just hard to find anything enjoyable, and sticking with it anyway is real hard. I’ll just have to keep at it until something clicks I guess.
The other side of the coin is that it should be something that you do on a regular schedule with other people who you enjoy being around.
Fun and accountability are the keys.
This is what I did. I joined a football league for fatties and it’s helping keep me active whilst not being massively outclassed by people younger and/or fitter than me 🤣 there’s no pressure to be ‘good’ at it, as the weightloss aspect of the game is more important.
Holy crap, How does one find something like that
I’ve never enjoyed anything at all in my life.
So we need to harness your disdain and hatred and work with that…
what do you hate most?
Opinionated software.
Get a sword and hit things.
I hike/walk daily with my dog. ~8km per day, although some days are shorter, some are longer.
is your dog Clifford?
No, not last I checked… Why?
And ideally also something that doesn’t require too much preparation. If it takes a long time to prepare for or get back after you are usually less likely to do it.
This is the way.
For me at least: getting out into nature. Cycling can easy get you out and into the countryside. And is easy on the joints etc. I prefer road bikes as I can see more.
Otherwise, I often drive to walks or runs with good views etc. I cycle to a nice forest park run.
The other trick that works with me is statistics. Going for Strava or park run segments/records can really motivate me. I also now use the wanderer.earth extension to get ‘points’ for exploring new places I have never been.
Going to the gym sucks. Swimming is nice in moderation.
By doing physical activity that’s intrinsically rewarding.
If you enjoy bike riding, go ride your bike, and don’t even bother thinking about it as exercise. Enjoy, and get into it.
The fitness part is just a side effect.
Playing DDR.
Because then the public won’t see my red, flailing body as I stumble around to sit after a single song.
That and mowing my lawn. …except with my lawn, I’ve had people pull over and ask if I’m okay. Which is embarrassing every time it happens. I’m out of shape and I have a condition!! But I’m not going to explain that to strangers lol
I’ve been trying to get back into DDR! Great call, that didn’t even occur to me when I made this thread lol. I found an arcade near me with a machine, but I’ve lost so much stamina I die after one set so it’s been hard to improve. Mat just arrived though, so hopefully playing at home helps!
Playing what with Double Data Rate?
Dance Dance Revolution?
I forgot that people barely remember what DDR used to stand for these days.
