What's Your Choice?

There are lots of ways to exercise.  Lots of ways to get it done, lots of ways to make sure you get your body moving, your heart pumping and your blood moving.  If you really, really HATE running - and I'm not such a fan of it when it's cold outside - then don't.  No one says that you have to run. 

Some people really like to swim.  I don't.  I can, but I just don't enjoy it.

My husband loves to play tennis.  I never did, but this past week we got new tennis rackets and I was surprisingly, not quite as sucky as I once was.  Not even remotely good, by any stretch of the imagination, but it was fun.  (Don't tell him that I said so - he'll never let me forget it!) It wasn't a huge amount of exercise, although I know it can and will be in the future, but I was moving around and not sitting on my behind, watching it grow.

I do love my Muay Thai and Capoeira classes.  I also love weight training at the gym - it's the getting up at 5 I can do without.  I have taken aerobic classes in the past, but now I don't think I'd enjoy them.  Same with bike riding - I'm not there.

What about you?  What are your preferred methods of exercise?  What do you hate?
___________________

It's been three weeks of sickness for me - at least three days each week I've been sick, and the sit up plan has fallen dismally by the wayside.  I'm back for more.  I'm not giving up.  I'm going to do it again and again until I get it, and myself, moving in the right direction. I AM going to DO IT.

Thanks for the prodding.

Comments

[Monique]

I have just discovered exercise DVDs. I used to love doing the circuit at my gym before I moved (new gym does not have one). Now it's freezing out (-30 CELSIUS kids) and I just can't be motivated to get bundled up to run either. For my first go at this indoors business, I'm working out to Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred, old-school style with soup cans as weights. So far, so good. The best part is that I leave my runners and my "weights" right in front of the TV when I'm done so when I feel like just plopping down to sit on my duff, I remember to turn on the DVD instead. I feel like I've discovered sliced bread!

[Annika]

It turns out I REALLY like hiking. I am as surprised as you are. It's been too rainy for me to check out the trails that are actually close enough for daily use, and I GUESS I can't drive an hour each way every day just to hike. Though Sam would not mind one bit.

Until I got sick last week I was walking (in my boring flat neighborhood, with Sam in the new-to-us jogging stroller) every day with spurts of running. My plan is to keep going further, and hike when I can.

What I can't figure out is any way to work out indoors (at home) that I don't hate and that I actually have space for.

[Wendy E]

I really really do not like to run. I finally found a Wii Fit in stores and am now completely addicted to it. I do enjoy riding my recumbant exercise bike, but it gets boring quite often. I have yet to be bored with the Wii Fit, although I've only had it a little over a week, so time will tell.

[Emily C]

I really dig walking and jogging--but I never do it by myself. It's my one social time.

I currently live with my sister and my parents while my husband is at basic training, and it's been heaven getting up at 5 and going walking with my sis while my Mom watches the babies for me.

[kyoot]

I really enjoy walking when with a friend, but I did go and do it alone last Tuesday, it's just soooooo dark here at night, from 6pm -7am it's DARK. I like walking because I can talk my head off, adult interaction. I like bowling with my kids but really that's just my lunges, so I don't count it as a work out. I park at the furthest parking spot to everywhere, and I love ot dance. I used to do a lot of DDR but since my hernia hates me, I've cut that out.I like it but my hernia pops with every jump!

[Anna]

I bought a pair of rollerblades recently! But, eek, I'm not sure if it's safe while I'm pregnant.

[Barbie]

I love weight training. I also have developed a like of the elliptical trainer and treadmill. I read senseless magazines, get my sweat on, and focus on clearing toxins out of my shrinking body.

I love mat Pilates - it is so challenging, yet relatively simple for a clumsy person like me. I am able to completely clear my head. It is strange to feel so relaxed while working so hard.

[jb]

They started a Zumba class at the gym at my school, and I love it! I would totally go every day if I could.

[Megan]

Figure skating is my exercise of choice. I would have to pick something that costs a fortune and can't be done in the living room or on the sidewalk. I've developed some great leg muscles and it also helps with core control. Running can be fun, but I feel like I have to do it several times a week to build up any endurance and it's always too hot/cold/windy/rainy. I enjoy martial arts, particularly kickboxing, but I'm taking a self-defense class and it's been a jarring reminder that I really am not coordinated.

[Bama Cheryl]

I love to walk fast and have been doing that with a friend early in the morning about 3-4 days a week. But that's not enough. And it gets boring at the community center where 16 laps is a mile. So we get outside when we can -- when the snow and ice aren't too much to handle. We have a Wii Fit but haven't done much with it. I know we should. I just bought the Jillian Michaels Shred DVD and hope to get into it when it arrives. I have to do something besides dread looking in the mirror.

[Headless Mom]

You know that my fave is walking, floor work, and an old copy of a Cher Fitness video. Cheesy, but it works. Maybe that's what I need to get off my butt and move a little more. I'd also love to have a walking partner-one who can go as fast and as far as I can. *sigh* someday, right?

Or maybe we just need to meet for cupcakes more often? ;-)

[Karell]

I've also just discovered workout DVDs. The boyfriend and I just got Netflix and with the Watch Instantly thing I have a bunch of new workouts in my rotation. If I get bored, I can replace it with something else in the queue. I really enjoy it and it feels like something hard NOT to stick to (whereas I despise running and always end up finding a reason to justify skipping a day, then getting out of the habit again).

[Amy]

I never liked running, but decided to give it another try. Much to my suprise I loved it. It was hard, but I felt great after. Although the weather holds me back some days, it has been the only thing I can stick to. Just put on my shoes and out the door I go. I am starting to enjoy a few yoga videos too.

[christian louboutin]

I've also just discovered workout DVDs. The boyfriend and I just got Netflix and with the Watch Instantly thing I have a bunch of new workouts in my rotation. If I get bored, I can replace it with something else in the queue. I really enjoy it and it feels like something hard NOT to stick to (whereas I despise running and always end up finding a reason to justify skipping a day, then getting out of the habit again).