I REALLY hate to exercise

When I first started exercising, I hated it.  Everyone told me that it'd get easier as time went on.  "Why," they said to me, "If you just keep on working out, it will become an addiction!"

Riiiiiigghhhhht.  Fat chance there, and I use the term FAT pretty liberally. 

When I started to run, I met up with one of The Hubster's bosses, who complimented me on my weight loss.  When I confided in him that I'd started to run, his face grew animated, and he stared off into the distance.  "Don't you just love it?"  he asked excitedly.  "When you get that runner's high, and you feel like you could run all day?"

Um, no.  I think I've gotten that feeling once.  It's a fleeting thing, lasting less than a minute, and even when I did experience it the one time, it didn't make the running that much more enjoyable.

Let's face it - I hate exercise.  HATE IT.  I force myself to exercise almost daily.   I can come up with more excuses and projects to get out of it, but, ultimately, I buckle down and get it done.   Even if I never get that feel great feeling after as a reward.  I like the results enough to struggle through.

This week, The Hubster took the last bit of his bonus and purchased an inexpensive bike for me. 

I hate biking. 

Thus far, I have avoided riding it. 

Not really for any good reason, except that I'm afraid to fall, and afraid that I won't be able to do it.  You see, I haven't ridden a bike in about, oh, 20 years.  Wait, maybe 10 - I rode one at Disney when Nik was a baby. 

Now, though, we've found a really cheap, used double jog/bike stroller and I think we will buy it.  Then I have no excuse not to get it done, except for my own stupid insecurites.

But, any time that I don't think I can do it, or become afraid that I can't do it, I can just think about this:

And realize that, one year ago this week, I couldn't have dreamt that I'd ever be able to do that.  This was today's walk - sorry that there is no speed available, but I couldn't seem to snap a picture, keep up my pace, and steer the stroller. 

I've come far.  I still have miles - literally - to go, but I'm on the right path.

Comments

[KatieButler]

Ah, yes, I'm so with you on this one. In fact, I just sat down at the computer after a workout tape. I wanted to reach into the TV and smack the woman every time she would say, "Isn't this fun?" N.O. LOL
I do have to say I like the way I feel after I work out, and definately think it evens out my moods. Now to get those things without actually working out. ;)

[Chrissie]

I hate it too. I've been going to the gym since Dec03, with a big old hiatus when I was pregnant with my second child. I still HATE IT.

I like that I have done it, but I hate doing it.

And I do like the results. Down 12lb in 3 weeks. With huge changes in my eating too, of course.

But LOVING the gym? Never gonna happen.

[Mimi]

The only way I like to exercise is to read while I do it - so, love the treadmill.

I'm with you, we have rollerblades, but I'm so afraid of falling I don't like to do it.

[FishyGirl]

I was going to curves for a while before I got too pregnant to be able to use the machines at all. It was social enough that I actually did it. I HATE exercise so very very much. If I can find a way to make it a social thing, I'll suffer through, but it certainly is low on the list of things I want to be doing.

You're doing a great job, Carmen. Keep it up!

[Michelle]

I'm with you. Hate exercise, always have always will. I'm married to a Runner who doesn't understand the rest of us sane people.

[Amah]

We have one of those bike-carts that converts to a jogging stroller. I use it sparingly. I don't like to bike or run ~ with or without the stroller. When it's really, really nice and I feel like "peddeling" a little - I put a kid or 2 in.

For me - it was just a waste of money and another large item to find a place for but you will probably use yours.

It does work really well, when I bother to use it.

What's this 12#'s in 3 weeks? I haven't been able to lose 12#'s in 3 months!!!!

Congrats to all of you that persevere!:~)

[child of Mary]

I think the whole excerciser's 'high' is a lot like the Emperor's New Clothes. It doesn't exist and only the few will admit it.

[liz]

Good going! I've fallen off the exercise wagon, but am slowly getting back on. Thank you for inspiring me.

[Jill Urbane, The Mentor Mom]

I too hate exercise. I don't even want to think about how much money I have spent on something I hate so much, i.e., unused gym memberships, weights, etc. The only exercise I have ever enjoyed was yoga only because of the closing ansana where you lay still on your back for 10 minutes with a lavender sachet over your eyes. Now THAT is my kind of exercise. But in all seriousness, kudos to you and keep up the good work :)

[Kris]

I trained myself to think about how I'd feel after, not during. Now that I haven't had time (or fortitude) to excercise for a while, I think I'd actually enjoy the during too!

[PastorMac's Ann]

You inspire us! You hate it, admit to hating it and yet you still do it!

I tagged your lovely daughter - just some simply questions for her to answer. http://itsalwaysaproduction.blogspot.com/2006/09/what-my-daughter-says.html

[ek]

Um - I will start up again October 1, really!
God I hate it too - used to like it, when it came more naturally and easily :P

I have realized I must set goals. I too have been encouraged and inspired by your determination to keep on keeping on with something so vile. How cool that your hubby is supporting your efforts...

[Blaine]

I know you hate it, but I want you to know that you inspire me! I am just getting started on the journey that you have already been on for some time now. I have a long way to go, but look forward to being able to share the same kind of positive results that you have shared with us. Keep up the good work!

[Pave.Gurl]

I hate the idea of exercise more than I hate the activity itself. I find if I just get myself out there - even if I give myself permission to be slack - I wind up not loathing it as much as I always think I am going to and end up kinda getting into it 'cos I love the pride I feel when I can push myself to go a little further than the time before. I haven't ever had an endorphine "rush" like you hear about - then again, I'm not a runner - but I definately can tell when I am starting to feel stronger and more empowered.

Like everyone else, I like the results - I feel better, I have more energy in the rest of my life, I sleep better, it helps lower my cholesterol (which is the main reason I do it, 'cos I am NOT giving up cheese, and heaven help anyone who tries to take it away from me), and I feel powerful when I realise I can do more than I thought I was capable of. I'm proud that I can walk four miles in an hour when a few months ago I could barely walk two in the same time. That's the "high" I get from it - tracking my body's progress and improvement.

And you help keep me going, 'cos if you can find time between soccer and baseball and dinner and doctor's appointments... Well, I have no excuses :P

Thank you.

[Tara Livesay]

EVERY DAY??? You excercise daily? Dang. I thought I was a big deal running four times a week. I guess not. I am about to add number six and I have no idea how I can still run with a new baby (adopting) but I guess you do it, so maybe I can too!?!?!?
-Tara in Haiti