I need motivation!!!!!!!!! Too fat and too lazy to exercise!

You've heard the story i am sure - i am just so overweight and too fat and too unmotivated to exercise. I hate exercising actually! I need some motivation!

 And i keep putting it off - i said i will start in June, June came and went. Then it was July, then it was august, and now it's December! HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I just need to know how to motivate myself into exercising!

I bought some exercise video tapes - aerobics, and i am sure i CAN do them, that is not the problem. The problem is that i HATE exercising! And i am sooooooo lazy!

 Help, people please!

If you hate exercise, why force it? Instead just start walking. Walk for 15 minutes as many days of the week as you can. Then gradually add on. I think the secret to being active is finding something you like to do. I like to ride my bike, really love it. I like to walk too, but riding the bike is my passion. Find your passion, it doesn't have to be doing videos. I hate those things :( Good luck!

I find exercising with a partner is fun and does not seem like exercise. Do something you like for example a long time ago I found out that I like boxing and I started a boxing program in the gym I go to. Also me an a pal started playing racquetball. We can play for hours sweating and running but it seems like play not health. Do something or find a program you like.

Plus videos are lame, it's more fun seeing others huff and puff along with you than a bunch of miss tropicana contestants smile and not break a sweat.

No one likes exercising, but you'll find once you do after a while you'll feel BETTER when you do. Walk if you dont want to do anything else, try walking for like 15-20 minuets and increase minuets by five every two days. Then once you get to 30-45 min walks pick up the pace or start going up and down hills.

thanks for the suggestions. However, i hate any form of physical activity - i hate walking and i don't play any games. So, i will never be doing something i "like" - cos i like watching Tv and movies! LOL! But that isn't going to get me slim. I KNOW i need to do activity and it wont be something i like, cos really i like nothing that is physically exerting!

Original Post by figurethefat:

If you hate exercise, why force it? Instead just start walking. Walk for 15 minutes as many days of the week as you can. Then gradually add on. I think the secret to being active is finding something you like to do. I like to ride my bike, really love it. I like to walk too, but riding the bike is my passion. Find your passion, it doesn't have to be doing videos. I hate those things :( Good luck!

 I agree 100%.  You should find some sort of vigorous activity that is something you like and do that, rather than force yourself to do some sort of "program" that reminds you of P.E. class.  For me, it's cycling in summer and walking in winter, plus a few dumbbell exercises.  Also, I found that as I lost more weight on my lower calorie intake, my energy level actually went up a lot more than when I was heavy.  The lighter I got, the more comfortable movement became and the more I exercised.  

I see where you say you hate all physical activity, summer_wine.  Well, I'm sorry, but your body was made to be USED.  Not to sit there and atrophy.  Your muscles and bones and organs need movement in order to stay in proper working order.  You don't need to do some rigorous boot camp routine, but you do need to move all your major muscle groups and get your heartbeat up for 1/2 hour per day.  Please keep trying different things, and when you find the one you hate the least, DO THAT.  Hopefully, as you feel the benefits of exercise, you'll start to like it.

Exercise gets endorphins to your brain - a natural high, it is GREAT for keeping depression at bay. 

Dear summer wine

If you hate something, the chances that you'll stick with it are small. With that, part of 'hating' something is socialization and habit, and these can be changed. I agree with what figurethefat said about walking. If you begin by taking short walks, the more you do it, the more it will become part of your daily routine. I always walk with music and sing along. I can say that I am now addicted to walking and do so whenever and wherever I get the chance and I was not always like this... also I have found that as I lose weight, I just love moving - whether it's bike riding or gardening or yes, now, even doing exercises with DVDs (something I thought that I would NEVER do). Losing weight and feeling much healthier makes the movement so much easier and fun. Start with the 'least worst' for you, and even doing it in small pieces will be great because it already be more than what you did before. Diet is very very important but moving the body is also essential for feeling good

my very best

I agree with what others have said. There's got to be some activity you like - even if it's window shopping, you can walk by those mall windows for 1/2 hour a day and enjoy yourself - take a friend along and chat!

As thickgurl said, most people don't really "like" to exercise.  I know there are plenty of days where I'd rather be curled up on the couch with a good book or movie, rather than pedaling into the annoying wind on my bike.

I used to detest exercise too.  But last year when I decided to start changing my lifestyle, I lost my job and had plenty of free time during the day.  One day, I was walking some envelopes to the post office (one block away) and decided to walk around the block to get home.  The next day, I went out and walked for twenty minutes or so - it was late spring and beautiful outside and I enjoyed it.

Then, I started taking my mp3 player along...and after a couple of weeks, it was part of my regular routine.  Once I got a job again, I found myself looking forward to the evenings when I could get home, strap on the headphones, and head outside for my walk.  It became my "me" time, my "zone-out" time.  It was less about exercise than it was about just getting out there and enjoying my music.

I agree with the others who have said to try walking.  Load up your favorite tunes on your mp3 player, or even better, since you enjoy movies, find some books on tape and load them up and listen to them as you walk.  But if walking is just not your thing, then just try anything and everything until you find something you like - be it pilates, swimming, volleyball league, bowling, walking, running, cycling, dance class, karate....  Anything that gets you up and moving is an improvement over being a couch potato, and if it's an activity you somewhat enjoy, then it becomes easy to do.  For me, once I began to see results, then I wanted to keep on seeing them, and it motivated me.

Good luck! :)

I'll just be rude and to the point. When I decided to lose weight and get fit I was the same way. I hated everything. I didn't want to get out of bed, go to work, and the thought of working out just made me want to eat more!! I finally just looked in the mirror one day and said okay fat-ass, today is the day we do this. I started cutting out junk food, counting calories, and walking. It was amazing how fast the weight came off in the beginning. I think I lost ten pounds that first week and a couple more pounds every week there after. The more I lost, the more I wanted to lose. After 6 months and almost 50 pounds lost I bought a gym membership. Today, almost one year since that talk to myself in the mirror, I am at my goal weight, in the best shape of my life, and happier than I have ever been. In short, sometimes you just have to be mean to yourself to get your lazy ass up and going. Trust me when I say it is very hard in the beginning, but it does get easier, and I know it can be done!!!

Plenty of people who use this site weigh over 300 lbs and still get some exercise in.  There is NO EXCUSE to show this kind of disrespect and disregard to your body...

I used to have the following in my profile:

NO MORE EXCUSES!

Especially not these excuses:

1. Why Bother?  I'll tell you why bother -- to avoid diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer... to have ease of mobility, to not have to endure excruciating pain in my ankles and knees with every step I take... that's why bother.

2. I'm Too Busy.  Yes, life is hectic.  Death will probably be less hectic, but I don't want to get there any time soon.

3. It's So Boring.  It's not boring, you're boring. Do something fun, for heaven's sake! Dance! Swim! Play badminton! Get off your butt and move!

4. My ankle / knee / back hurts.  Yeah, it/they hurt because you let yourself get so out of shape.  Toning - ever hear of it?  Strengthening the back will help you feel so much better, you'll actually want to move around and get frisky.

5. I'm too fat.  Well, OK. Yes, I'm too fat to do some things. But any activity is better than no activity. This is why I will start slow and build up my strength and endurance. Because I actually do not want to be removed from my bed upon my death with a crane coming through my fricking bedroom wall.

6. I have arthritis. True, painful joints make you not want to move much. But guess what?  Lack of movement makes the joints more stiff and more painful. It's a vicious cycle, man! The only way to counteract it is to do gentle, moderate movements and slowly increase mobility. If I can give up caffeine for the sake of my joints, surely I can get my butt in gear and get it in the dang swimming pool!

7. I hate the gym.  Gyms can be intimidating. But geez, who cares if all the skinny people get in their exercise (they do!), what good is a gym if people who really need to burn calories are too afraid to go in there and get the job done?  Find a gym with a 'no judgements' philosophy or just adopt that philosophy yourself! Stop judging yourself for being fat and just get the hell in there and move that butt! Note: you can walk plenty of places - you don't even have to go in a gym until you need the weight machines.

8. I'm too tired.  That's the irony of it all. Ah, sweet, sweet irony. I'm tired because I don't exercise. So I get tired easier. So I'm even less likely to exercise. Push through it woman!  To get to the light at the end of the tunnel, you have to go through the exercise!

9. I don't feel like it.  Yeah? Well you won't feel like living out your remaining years confined to a hospital bed either.  I don't just need to lose weight, I need to be HEALTHY. I don't just want to live a long life. I want to live a long, full, robust life.  I want my golden years to be healthier than they will be if I continue on my past track. And I want to start having a more fulfilling life right now too. Exercise is the way.

None of these excuses have stopped me and I bet I weigh a lot more than you do.  Just DO IT!

NO EXCUSES!

you said it best..NO EXCUSES!

I had to look at it as making myself better.  The only person who can keep you from eating the way you want and exercising the way you want is you.  I can't buy that new corvette, I can't make that stupid driver in front of me go the speed limit, but I CAN feel and look better!  The only person stopping yourself is you.  When I find myself putting something off till tomorrow, I'll write myself a note (or email) for tomorrow.  This way I can remind myself of how much I want to start this. 

Another thing you can do is to set everything up for tomorrow so that you can do it without extra work that day.  I got into the gym for my first time today since I signed up last week.  I said "tomorrow" for a week.  I got tired of it last night and I packed my clothes in a bag and set out my workout clothes to get dressed in the morning.   When I got up this morning, I put on my workout clothes, grabbed my bag, and drove to the gym.

The first step is the hardest and it takes a little while before you start really feeling good.

Take a look at http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2005/04/30-d ays-to-success/

It's about committing to something as a 30 day "trial." New habits are hard to start - you consider them a permanent change and it becomes too huge.  This applies to lots of areas other than dieting and exercise.

Good luck with your goals.

I firmly beleive the people who say "I hate exercise" are setting themselves up for a self fulfilling prophecy.  If I told myself I hated exercise every time right before my workout, do you think I would stick with it?  Heck no!  Be a bit more positive and you'll be amazed at how much it helps.  :) 

Besides, the only person who is too fat to exercise is the person that is not only confined to bed, but cannot physically move their limbs because it will cause their heart rate to increase and be harmful to their heart.  I don't believe there is a single person on this website who fits that description.  Yes, many people may need a doctor's approval to exercise, but I doubt the OP would find a doctor that says not to do any form of exercise (activity) at all.  So get out there and go for it!

I used to "hate" exercise... but I HATED being fat even more. Get off your butt and get started. You'll probably hate it at first but once you start to lose, you won't regret it.

I can relate to what you are saying as that was me a few months ago. I had no reason that I could think off to get off my fat rear end. I joined a group on Monday nights and they made me more accountable as you weigh in. There are many heavy people that attend but there also some that have reached their desired weight. I started walking just 10 minutes a day then it was 15 now I really enjoy walking as I am seeing a difference. I have gone from a 22 to a 16 and am starting to feel better about myself. For a reward I found that buying a new book or movie was great. Before it was a trip down the junk food aisle at the supermarket. Just give yourself a good pep talk and decide why you want to do it. Is it for you?? It is well worth it because you are well worth it. Good Luck!!!!

I was (am) the same way.  I don't really enjoy exercise - until I get started and the endorphins kick in and then I'll challenge myself to keep going.  When I first started exercising I only did maybe 5 -10 min a day.  During the commercials I'd get up and move - walk, lift small weights, jump, stretch, anything. Just move. I'd tell myself that I had to do 5 min then if I really didn't want to do more I would stop.  The next week I'd have to do maybe 7 min before I could quit for the day.  Each week I'd add another few minutes. Now on workout days I must do at least 15 min before stopping.  Often after 15 min I want to continue but if I truly do not want to continue I stop. 

It has also helped me to exercise to music/tv.  I like to ride my exercise bike while watching a dvd.  I don't always get a real strenuous workout but at least I'm moving and when I'm watching a video I don't realize how fast the time goes and I've done 30-45 min.

Another motivational tool I use is to set a goal for the month (with a non food reward for acheiving it) that way if I want to take a day off it's ok I just know that I have to make it up by doing more on another day. 

Good luck!

Wow! Guys, thanks for being honest and for all the inspirational posts! You actually got me thinking i can do this! Yeah, i know i am not going to like it  - i decided not to use the word "hate" - but i NEED to do those darn exercises. I think i am actually going to start today folks! Yeah, i'll log in later today to tell you if  did or not!

To those who said you walked, how long do you walk for? an hour? or more?

I have a last question, am i too old to think about losing weight? I am 37! Is it too late to even think of being slim? Like has the boat passed? Or is it going to be very hard cos i am not young anymroe?

You CAN do this.  I'm 38 and while yes some days are hard I've decided that my health is more important than a few sacrifices.  I've made simple changes to my life.  I'm still eating the same foods just less of them and now I do some moderate exercise for roughly 20-30 min a day. If I can do it anyone can!

I've only been doing this for about 2 1/2 months and already I can see differences in my weight (15 lbs lost), inches lost, and most important my attitude about life in general.  I want to take care of myself and be healthy so that I can spend a long active life with my family and set a good example for my kids.

My advice to you: Take it one day at a time and believe in yourself. 

You will succeed even with small changes. Good luck!

 

I am 55 and am now thinner and in much better health than I have been for years! I've lost over 71 lbs (and still have another 11 that I want to lose) and I feel great. I wish that I had done this when I was a young 37... never too old!

Original Post by summer_wine:

Wow! Guys, thanks for being honest and for all the inspirational posts! You actually got me thinking i can do this! Yeah, i know i am not going to like it  - i decided not to use the word "hate" - but i NEED to do those darn exercises. I think i am actually going to start today folks! Yeah, i'll log in later today to tell you if  did or not!

To those who said you walked, how long do you walk for? an hour? or more?

I have a last question, am i too old to think about losing weight? I am 37! Is it too late to even think of being slim? Like has the boat passed? Or is it going to be very hard cos i am not young anymroe?

I think when I first started I only did 25 minutes of walking, but within a couple of weeks I was doing 45 minutes.

Then I started doing Dance Dance Revolution, the video game. And oh man, that was so fun, I wanted to do it for an hour, but that much would hurt my ankle so I had to pace myself and I backed down to 45 minutes and took advil.

I'm 38 and I've lost a total of 45 lbs so far so NO IT'S NEVER TOO LATE UNTIL YOU'RE DEAD - then it's too late.

:D