Aside from possible low energy levels or just flat out laziness…
Why do so many people absolutely HATE working out or exercising?
Why do YOU? Why did I?
Speaking for myself, I hated (or at least THOUGHT I hated) working out because of how fatigued and winded I would get so quickly.
I mean, most work out videos, shows, etc. indicated that I must work out at LEAST 30 minutes a day, at a minimum of 3 days a week to see any viable results.
I would shudder at the thought of the next workout because of the bad feelings I got when doing the previous workout and eventually, I found myself simply not working out at all!
So that’s MY story. But YOU have to ask yourself why is it that you hate working out…what is it that causes the ill feelings.
Maybe I can help you figure it out.
In doing a little bit of research, I’ve found that most other people tend to hate working out because:
- Most people hate the strain and pain. It’s simply in our human nature to want to protect ourselves from pain and discomfort.
- Most people hate having to do it daily. Fitness centers are making a KILLING off of people who have memberships that they rarely or never use! I hear it all the time, “I don’t want to go to the gym today” or they grudgingly say, “I gotta go to the gym today”
- Most people hate the time they have to spend working out in order for it to be effective…an hour in the gym, here or 30 minutes on the treadmill, there.
- Most people hate being instructed to work those same (SORE) muscles the next day (or day after next) because it HURTS! Again, the idea is to protect ourselves from pain at all costs. So when you’re being told to “work through the pain…press past the pain!”, it causes feelings of disdain towards your next workout…you DREAD it!
So you ask…
“What can be done? I HATE working out,
but I know I NEED to… HELP!”
What can people like you and I do to not allow ill feelings towards exercise to cause us to become sedentary?
What can we do to get these ole’ bones a movin’?
The solution is to find a workout that you ENJOY doing!
Find something that resonates with you and that you will actually look forward to as opposed to dread.
A few suggestions are:
Start out with simply walking. Don’t make it necessarily about speed walking or anything, but just walking around – enjoying the scenery. It’s also good if you have someone to walk with – like a neighbor, relative or friend.
Then later, as you do it more, you can then increase intensity by power walking or even graduating to jogging and eventually, running.
Or, if you enjoy dancing, then DANCE! Even if you can’t dance…put on your favorite tunes and move around like no one’s watching! Just be sure no one IS or you may find yourself as the next viral sensation! LOL
But seriously, there are videos out there that are dance-based workouts such as Zumba, Hip Hop Abs, etc.
*Check out this fun Cha-Cha Slide Plank workout!*
Look into weight training! This is one of my favorites. Even if it’s using your body weight or stuff you have around the house (water jugs filled partially or all the way with water, canned good cans, etc.) strength training is a great way to get your heart rate up and build up some muscle tone at the same time.
Muscle DOES help burn fat, so even if it’s not your main focus, incorporate at least some light weight/strength training into your regimen.
BONUS TIP: Don’t allow yourself to be constrained to a particular time frame in which to work out. Many trainers and just folks in general will be quick to tell you that you HAVE to or NEED to work out 30 minutes to an HOUR in order to see results. MY thought process is…
“Which is better? Working out for 10 minutes to get my body moving OR… not working out AT ALL?”
So, workout as much as you can each day (or every other day) but the important thing is to be consistent and eventually, you and your body will begin to adapt and you will actually DESIRE and CRAVE doing more!
I used to use an online strength training program called, “7-Minute Workout” by Joel Therien.
I’m no longer a member of this program because I don’t agree with some of their marketing practices – but I LOVE and have really become accustomed to the CONCEPT of what they teach.
The Concept in a Nutshell…
From the 7minuteworkout.com website:
“In short…something called Positive Momentary Muscular Failure! Much like a stick of dynamite, you only need to “IGNITE” your muscle to failure once, and it responds. Exercise provides the stimulus, but it is the rest and recuperation in between the exercise that provides the benefit. What most people do is they “OVER-train” their muscles, never giving them the chance to improve and to grow.”
Therefore, the “magic” behind 7 Minute Workout concept is that you only train 7 minutes a day… 3 days a week!
It can be done from the comfort of your own home (although you can do your workouts at the gym) and you can choose to use equipment or not.
Now I know what you’re probably thinking, ESPECIALLY if you’re one (like most of us) who has been conditioned in the old school, “Ya gotta train HARD!”, thought processes concerning fitness and working out.
Well, not only is it POSSIBLE but best of all… it really WORKS!
Just take a look at my results after 3 months of working out and using a solid nutrition program!
Now again, I no longer am a member of the ACTUAL 7-Minute Workout program – however, I take pretty much ANY workout program and I simply disregard any instruction to do “x” amount of sets and reps and I do it until muscular failure.
I currently use HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) workouts, coupled with light weight lifting.
But whatever type of workout YOU decide to do, just do SOMETHING and be sure to drink a good quality, high-protein meal replacement shake afterward to feed and replenish those muscles! 😉
