I hate strength training

I've been working out at the gym for about two years. I am only 17 years old so my decision to start eating healthy and excersizing two years ago helped me go from overweight to in the healthy range. I have continued doing what I was doing and plateaued at 115 for about a year. I'd like to lose the final 10 lbs and get to my goal weight of 105. (I'm 4'11", btw). When I started working out I did exclusively cardio because I was under the impression that that was the "only" way to lose weight. In my mind, weights would make me bulky, cardio would make me slim. The cardio worked for a while I think because I was so sedentary before but now it's simply ineffective when it's done alone without some resistance training.

My problem? I HATE resistance training. I went to the gym today for the first time in a couple weeks because I was sick and I did my normal 30 minutes on the elliptical and began to do my stength training. I did 3 sets of 10 planks with 5 second holds. I did 1 set of squats and a half a set of lunges before getting so bored. I messed around with free weights for like 30 seconds. Then I flitted around to all the machines and I swear I got more of a cardio workout switching between them then I did get a resistance work out. I don't know what to do. I've read all the posts and I know WHAT is most effective, I just can't do it. I get embarrassed in the weights section of the gym and spend a lot of time hiding from the football players at my school. I think if I had something easy to do at home I might be able to (I do planks daily at home) but I don't have ANY weights or workout equipment.

Please help, how can I like it more? What can I do to enjoy myself while I resistance train? I can run on an elliptical for an hour and a half if I get myself distracted enough and fully enjoy it, but more than 15 minutes of resistance training is torture.

To me it sounds like you need a routine - something to guide your time in the weight room, so that it isn't just whatever you feel like doing. Lots of people are recommending New Rules of Lifting for Women, and that has workout plans that will last you for a while. Also, are you bringing a notebook, so you can record what you are doing, how many reps/sets, and how much weight? That has helped me a lot, because I am always aware of my progress, and I can remind myself when I need to increase the amount of weight I use. Until I was writing it down, I was using the same weight, every time, and was making no progress.

You can also buy adjustable dumbbells or barbells at places like Dick's Sporting Goods, if you'd like to try at home, but you want to make sure that you have learned proper form so you don't hurt yourself.

I can't offer any support there, because I hate it too! I have a home set up and I still hate it! I walk, run and bike outside for my cardio and, because I like being outdoors, I really enjoy it. I wait 'till after dark to do my weights so I don't feel like I'm missing out on an outdoor activity I could be doing.

Best I can do is say what I tell myself--I know you don't like this, but you must do it to have good results, and the sooner you get going on it the sooner it'll be done. Adding a high def radio to my gym room has helped a bit as I've found a pretty good channel without commercials and the only way to listen to it is on a high def radio and the gym is the only place I have one setup.

Maybe make a goal like say not skipping a regularly scheduled weight workout for 4 weeks running and if you keep that goal, reward yourself with a piece of clothing or something.

Do the weights before the cardio, if you're already tired when you start the weight you'll get distracted easier (not to mention you results won't be as good) and are more likely to give up.

I also second the idea about finding a professionally-designed routine.

Amythyst....where can I find this routine? Should I start googling or should I buy a video or something? Also, I do pilates every once in a while...is that effective?

Original Post by lafoutloud01:

Amythyst....where can I find this routine? Should I start googling or should I buy a video or something? Also, I do pilates every once in a while...is that effective?

The New Rules of Lifting is a book, you can check your local library or Amazon.com to get a copy.

Pilates is good if you want to get better at pilates, there are more effective ways of improving all the other aspects of your fitness. 

Ooh, I'm the opposite...I love weight training, and I've begun to hate cardio!  I used to be a super cardio bunny, haha.  Now I have to force myself to do cardio (unless I'm running...still love that) and force myself to leave the weight room.  I think once you start seeing results in your weight lifting, you'll love it a lot more.  Just keep with it!!

Oh girl, I know how you feel!! I rather go run 10 miles than 30 minutes with weights. But you know what, I do not think that the free lifting is the only way to do resistance exercises. Did you try the rowing machine? When you sit there in the gym and row for like 20 minutes your body will hurt plenty. Do you have those in your gym? And I can promise you, your entire body will get the workout, and you do not even have to row fast.

Also what worked for me, is group lifting. I have signed myslef into this little group, and because I comitted to this, I know I would go. Soemone else is running the workout and you just follow. This way you know you are doing it right.

Good Luck!

I've been looking into incorporating more strength training into my routine, and while I don't hate it, it is certainly not my favorite form of exercise.  However, as stated in the OP, I realize that to go further with my fitness training and to get the results where I want them, it's something I need to find time to do. 

Per the recommendations of several on these forums, I've looked into The New Rules of Lifting - and it looks very promising.   In addition, there are lots of good tips and advice on stumptuous.com.

Another thing you might want to condsider is power (ashtanga) yoga.  It's a form of yoga that is faster paced, and has strength building poses in it.  It does have its limits, which is why I'm looking into weights, but it's a good starting point (for me, at least).

Good luck!

As others have stated, having a routine helps.  Track your progress, so you can have goals you are shooting for (i.e. moving up in weight).

I found weights effective but boring as well - I was doing them at home (dumbells not machines).  Then I started Ashtanga yoga which is just excellent because it is mentally challenging, great for the mind and physically very demanding and there is great delight in seeing progress.  The other big bonus is that as you do the positions / asanas you are strengthening your muscles big time but you're also stretching them so you're working toward a strong but lean and light body.  It also balances your body out - my backpain used to be the bain of my life but it is gone now as it corrected the imbalances in my lower back muscles.  I thought yoga was never my cup of tea but I tried it because pilates (for my back) bored me, now I'll never look back.

I wish I could help but, I am the opposite...I hate the cardio but love the strength training. I have to force myself to do cardio.