Exercise *RANT*

I hate exercise.  I hate getting all sweaty and I hate the burning in my muscles and the gasping for air.  I am trying so hard to switch from walking to a more strenuous form of exercise but I'm having such a hard time getting the motivation.  Don't get me wrong, I am exercising.  I am able to ride my stationary bike for 30 minutes and that's basically all I'm doing for exercise right now.  I sometimes to circuit training with hand weights but I HATE it so much that most days I just can't get the motivation to do it.  After all is said and done, I'm probably only exercising 3 days a week.

Let's face it, most of us got here because we weren't exercising and we weren't eating right.   I've got the eating thing down.  I'm good with that.  I have my plan and I measure and weigh my food and I know how to hit my protein goals.  Exercise is an entirely different world to me.  I live a very sedentary lifestyle.  I work a desk job for 8-10 hours a day and in the evening my boyfriend and I are big nerds who love to play PC games such as Diablo 3 and Tera.  It's how we bond.  Don't judge!  So forcing myself off the couch to hop on the bike or attempt a jog so that I can gasp for air and sweat and be miserable for 30-60 minutes is literally like my own personal Hell.

My question is HOW did you do it?!?! When I was in my first month post op after a very slow 1 mile walk I would be exhausted and ready to die.  Then I would look at the forum and read about someone 2 weeks post op walking 3 miles a day like it's nothing.  It was extremely frustrating and I didn't understand how someone who JUST had surgery could already be so far along in exercising.  I would really love to be one of those people who enjoy working out and running 5k's but I just hate it.  And because I hate it I'm having the most difficult time getting into the right mindset.  When I was younger my dad would take us backpacking and hiking and kayaking and mountain biking and I loved all of those activities but they aren't something that you can do on a daily basis, especially now that it's getting colder and winter is just around the corner. 

I need help! Any suggestions? I'm just looking for some support here, no judgment.

I'm with you. I hate exercise as well. I mean really hate it. I don't know that you need to be a marathon runner to get the appropriate amount of exercise. Can you make your walking or biking faster or more intense? Can you move your bike in front of the TV and play video games from there? Part of my issue is that I feel exercise wastes my time as it is its own end goal, but if I make it part of my regular day then it isn't so bad. I take the stairs instead of the elevator. I walk to area businesses to do my shopping instead of taking the car. I park at the end of the parking lot so my walk to the front door is as long as possible. Look for a class in something you might like to do anyway - belly dancing, fencing, swing dance, whatever. If I am doing something for another purpose and exercise happens to be part of it then I don't resent it so much. Hope you find something that inspires you!

Thank you for your response! Maybe I'll look into some local dance classes and drag the boyfriend with me.  We both need to get out more!

Can you drag him out for evening walks?  Sometimes when I'm short on exercise for the day I'll do that. And a nice evening walk can be romantic in the winter chill.  

I've dragged him out a couple times but he hates cardio.  Whenever he does a workout it's strictly weight lifting.  It's hard to get the motivation when your significant other also has no motivation!

I totally hear you there.  :/

I love exercising, but I haven't always.  When I wasn't enjoying it, I would watch a tv show while exercising.  A show I really wanted to see.  Do you have an Ipad?  Comcast -- you can download on demand shows, nextflix, amazon prime?  It helps the 30, 50 or 60 minutes fly by.  

You don't need to do more strenuous exercise -- just moving everyday is good.  Do the bike, walk, elliptical whatever.  

Also maybe try some workout classes.  I find those are really helpful on days that I don't want to workout.  You get the group motivation.  

I don't exercise, but I'm very active. I get my 10,000 steps per day. I use my stationary bike most days, and I walk whenever I can --  I park at the end of parking lots, I take the stairs, I arrive early for things and walk around a little, etc. You don't have to be a gym rat to succeed.

So is walking 10,000 steps a day throughout the day sufficient enough for exercise or do you think I need to mix in the bike as well in order to succeed?

Staying active is enough for a lot of us. About the 7 month mark I started exercising, then became a super-fanatic, then like many of us "quit" for the most part. Like Grim, I stay active now an get in at least 10000 steps but do not do any formal exercise right now. I have no trouble maintaining my weight. Some people need it, but some of us do not.