Exercise - Aaaargggh!

I just joined.  I really don't have a big problem with what I eat (except a lot of time).  My goal according to height and weight is to lose 40 lbs ~ to be honest, I'd be happy with 10 and downright giddy with 20.  I have never been very active and I find exercise boring and repetitive.  Any suggestions?

well, is there ANY physical activity that you like to do?  walking?  swimming?  gardening?  yoga?  dancing? the idea is to get moving for at least 30 minutes per day...every day.  the best way to stay motivated to do this, for me anyway, is to find things you actually LIKE to do.  that way, it doesn't feel like exercise but, rather, like a treat you give yourself that's also good for your health. 

I know I'm completely biased on this, but I recommend martial arts. It's lots of fun, and there's usually nice people. (or at least at the place I'm at; go check it out first to make sure you like it)

There's a large variety of things to do, such as forms, sparring, one-steps, kicks, blocks, etc. so you never get bored of anything. Plus, depending on where you go, you can learn weapons and more advanced things, which is a lot of fun.

If that doesn't interest you, just try walking around outside. It's amazing what a nice walk while just thinking can do for your emotions ^^

Anyway, I hope you find something interesting to do; I just don't recommend a treadmill- dead boring! XD

in addition to what the others said, yoga is really good for starting out. It doesn't involve a lot of moving around and it's very relaxing. And don't think "oh i'm not flexible enough to do yoga" - that's what yoga's for! to make you more flexible and stronger. Then start doing some cardio (I do the elliptical - just starting - and doing it with my boyfriend makes it less boring!)

Find a friend to exercise with! That will make it less boring and also motivate you. If you take a class, you're paying, so you're motivated to not be wasting your money!

I have a hard time with repetitious activity too.  I have gotten in the routine of walking. I take a different route every time and sometimes listen to music.  Helps if you have a dog (which I do) because then when I feel too lazy, I still go because the dog needs a walk too!  Another thing I have been doing is to free style dance (which is not a pretty sight) to various music..whatever I'm in the mood for.  Salsa music is pretty good.  I have absolutely no skillz in the dancing department but it sure burns up calories if you keep moving for a straight half hour or 45 minutes.  Another thing I have been doing is taking an active role in the yard work. Mowing the lawn burns tons of calories!  Good luck finding what works for you!

I agree with all the previous posters.  I used to absolutely hate exercising.  I find the gym incredibly boring, depressing even, I can't stand staring at the wall for that long!

I found a physical activity I love in the form of mountain biking.  I went from almost no physical activity 4 months ago to biking every chance I get.  I get really cranky if I'm off my bike for more than a day.  So I suppose my suggestion is to find something you can get excited about!

Friends are really great too.  Having a buddy you exercise with helps loads with actually getting out there and doing it.  You don't want to ditch them, and they don't want to ditch you, so you both get some great motivation!

There are countless number of things you can do for exercise, I'm sure you'll find something that works for you!

I'd suggest not making exercise the goal, but rather the means. For example, I like to animal watch, and one good way to do that is to walk to someplace that is good for watching birds and other animals.

I enjoy bikeriding, but even if I didn't like it in and of itself, it's a good way to get around to certain places such as cool places to look for birds and other animals. And now that I know a bike trail goes to within two blocks of my doctor's office, I am tempted to ride there, though haven't yet.

I've been trying to build a little more activity (not exercise, mind you, but activity!) into my coach potato living style. I am taking a different subway route to work these days so that I have two extra blocks to walk, try to walk to the station from work twice a week, use the bathroom one floor below my office so I have to walk up one flight of stairs... that sort of thing. I know I'm unlikely to become someone who goes to the gym faithfully three times a week, so building activity into my day is going to have to do it for me. And so far, that's been working pretty well!

You might look at Dance Dance Revolution or a similar product, too. Fun to do, and you can do it in the comfort of your own home. :-)

And if you want to pursue the mowing the lawn thing, I would like to offer up my yard -- you are guaranteed a workout, believe me!!!

Now I have a question, you say to move about 30 min a day,  it takes me 10 to ride my bike to class at 15 to ride home (slight incline), would that count or should I do more?

*Sorry for asking in your post pookydent*

That counts, in my book.

I would definitely say that riding to and from class counts.  I mean, biking is biking.  Whether or not you have a destination, you're still spinning those pedals for 25 minutes right?

Kate, totally counts.  Just watch it when you graduate.  *Frowns* That's when my eating habits started to catch up to me!

I like DDR (DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION), any one of them. If you have access the a PS2 or Gamecube, the pad is $20 and the game is $20. It keeps count of the calories you burn when you play in workout mode and it converts them into miles you have jogged or distance you swam. It's also fun and musically fufilling. It makes you sweat a whole lot and gets your heart rate going.

Angel

I appreciate input from ya'll ~ Athena, I like 'activity' versus exercise.  J-wystup, my doctor just suggest yoga; as you said I thought I had to be more limber to particpate, but she assured I would be okay and that I would benefit from serenity of it as well. 

Lesslisa (great name) I'm goning to checkout the DDR; as long as I can do it at home and just put up the sign 'if you see me doing this, I'll have to kill you'.  Actually, I could video it and send it to my granddaughter.  She was here for two weeks and I embarrassed her at every opportunity by trying to dance.  As you said, NOT PRETTY!

Thanks again for your input, I love this forum - someone is always talking about something that is applicable on that day.

Can we talk about Carbs? Is 25 to 30 really the number we're looking for - I get that may from toothpaste!

Pookydent... I just joined Curves.. I hate gyms.. despise them actually but so far this hasn't been too bad. It's all women. I tried gyms with the 'mixed' crowd... and became overwelmed and felt so darned out of place that a team of wild horses couldn't drag me there. The one that we have here is great.. all ages.. all abilities.. and well I'm the type of person who gives Klutzes lessons on how to perfect Klutziness... and they do these things that even I can almost manage in a standing position!!! I've only joined until April until when I can actually get outside again. (I miss the 'warmer' times!) but it may motivate me more to do more than just lay around the house and hibernate for the winter!

Wow! You never know what will work for you. I never thought that I would "like" the treadmill, we have always had one and I thought it was more of a chore than anything. Well, since the first of the year, I "get" to have my quiet time on the treadmill, by myself, away from everyone and everything.  I turn on my favorite radio station with headphones (and blaring) and tune out EVERYTHING! I look forward to it every day!

Another thing I am doing is DDR. My children love this and I decided to give it a try. Granted, we laugh a WHOLE lot at me, but I get a good workout and get to spend more time with my children.

Keep looking Pookydent, it may be the strangest thing, but keep looking!

Mistymom: how long do you treadmill each day? I'm on my second day of working it for 1/2 hour and starting to like it already! Are you still keeping up with it?

I have started walking a mile everyday and once you get in the routine of it... its not that bad.  It just becomes habit to ya and you actually start to feel better.  It gives you more energy in the long run.

Hi Mostarburst! (cute name!)

I sooo agree with you! Today was day 2 of doing 30 minutes each day..I'm going to try and do 5 days a week. I have to do this in fact! I'm looking forward to it becoming a habit as I am off work in the summertime and need to get some form of exercise. During the school year I have a super physical job but staying active when I am off work is a challenge. I refuse to get lazy this summer!

Thanks for your comment!

I am gonna try to do my walking 5 days a week too.  Mon-Fri because normally on the weekends we are always out and about doing other things.  I can imagine it being hard for you during the summer but you can do it. 

;) That's the ticket..just get up evey morning and say "I can do it!" and then make it happen!
Weekends are definetely for other things! I don't know why but it's harder for me to workout if my husband is home. I do great when I'm home alone. I guess I just don't get distracted to do other things. As you say, on the weekends it's always something else!