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Weight Loss Forum / General Topics / March 2005Why Does Exercise Suck?
Hello Everyone, So last night I went to the gym, hoping to get a little groove going because I've recently eat quite a bit, but when I got there, I only did my typical weight lifting. I planned to do cardio but was really not feeling like it, and, after a ten minute walk on the treadmill, I left the gym an hour early. There was recently a post about this, but I think I have determined that I really, really despise cardio. I hate spending an hour on the treadmill or elliptical, staring off into space when I could be at home reading or writing or something else (here come the attacks about being on this newsgroup vs. working out, etc.). But cardio is a real chore for me, weight lifting not so much so because each set starts and ends within ten minutes or less, and I move onto a different muscle group and so forth. But cardio...that I can really do without. I remember back in the day (read: two months ago) where I'd do about 5-6 hours of really intense (heartrate at 180+) cardio a week. Now I am sick and tired of it. Is there a way to lose weight without having to do so much cardio? Also, here's another fun question: why is exercise so painful (sometimes) and food so delicious? Man, life is unfair! HS. > There was recently a post about this, but I think I have determined > that I really, really despise cardio. I hate spending an hour on the > treadmill or elliptical, staring off into space This is why I can't go to the gym. I don't mind cardio but I hate the "starting into space" bland gym environment. I need to be walking or running outside, not in a gray, stuffy room. I also hate lifting weights. It's boring and difficult. I just kind of like to run around and be active-- jog, walk, play ultimate frisbee, tennis, whatever. I hate having to give it structure and routine; it gets too boring. I agree. The problem with me and the outdoors is that I get sunburned and it's now rather sunny in LA. I think I'll go for a hike at sunset tonight...I *like* hiking up the Santa Monica mountains and I don't even notice I'm treating my body to some much-needed exercise! (I am still pre-menstral right now, btw, and this may be the culprit for my bad gym psychology. I can't wait 'till it's over!) > I agree. The problem with me and the outdoors is that I get sunburned > and it's now rather sunny in LA. I think I'll go for a hike at sunset > tonight...I *like* hiking up the Santa Monica mountains and I don't > even notice I'm treating my body to some much-needed exercise! OMG you live in California? GO OUTSIDE! Buy the strongest sunblock you can find!! I live in Upstate NY. You have no idea how cold it is here in winter. I walked for two hours outside today, my BF and I took a long walk around the campus and plantations because it has finally reached 32 degrees here (the birds recently started chirping more). Last week we had a 10 degree day. I would kill for weather warm enough to be outside and go hiking in the mountains or by the waterfalls/gorges here, which is my favorite outdoor activity. I love to be active and exercise, just not in the 'structured' way of going to the gym for X amount of time X amount of days. All I can really do at this point is take long walks and hope to generate enough body heat to be comfortable. My Spring break is next week and I'll be going home, where it's forecasted to be 45 or so for most days. I can't wait-- so hot. Sara Yes, I am entirely spoiled by the weather. Wait until summer comes around and the temperatures here exceed 100F. I won't be laughing it up too much by then. :) I went out for a bike ride today when dusk fell and it was really pleasant. I probably biked around 10 miles around the traffic-jammed streets: Ocean Park, Santa Monica, etc. Tonight was the first time I realised Santa Monica is really unfriendly towards bike riders. >> There was recently a post about this, but I think I have determined >> that I really, really despise cardio. I hate spending an hour on the [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > and be active-- jog, walk, play ultimate frisbee, tennis, whatever. I > hate having to give it structure and routine; it gets too boring. My gym has their cardio equipment lined up in rows with 7 or 8 TV's mounted from the ceiling so all the machines can view them. They all have the teleprompter on so you can read what's being said - and most machines have a device on it that you plug your own headphones into and select which TV you want to watch. Granted - a couple weeks ago I was in on a Sunday afternoon and non of the TV's had the race on. But - they do have one TV that can be changed on request. If I was doing cardio that day I could have asked them to change the channel to fox so I could see the race - but I was there for weights so I don't concentrate on TV while doing weights. Yea, I hate television so I try not to watch it even if I am "desperate" at the gym. I hav my iPod which I do not leave my house without, but I still get bored with cardio. > Yea, I hate television so I try not to watch it even if I am > "desperate" at the gym. good for you.  Signature223/173.3/180 >Yea, I hate television so I try not to watch it even if I am >"desperate" at the gym. I hav my iPod which I do not leave my house >without, but I still get bored with cardio. I'm not much interested in TV watching either. There are a couple of things I do to avoid mind-numbing boredom on the treadmill: a) Vary the settings (incline, speed) according to some plan I make up, changing every minute or so. I try all different things and enjoy challenging myself to do a little more than the last time. It makes the time pass much faster when you do it this way. b) Only when I do long slow runs -- listen to books on CD. This holds my attention far more than music does. (I do listen to music for shorter sessions, intervals, and such.) Chris 262/130s/130s started dieting July 2002, maintaining since June 2004 > > There was recently a post about this, but I think I have determined > > that I really, really despise cardio. I hate spending an hour on the [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > and be active-- jog, walk, play ultimate frisbee, tennis, whatever. I > hate having to give it structure and routine; it gets too boring. I agree. Man, I hate treadmills. But, if I'm traveling and at a hotel, that might be the only option. Other than that, I'll take, running outside in storms, hot weather, etc. It's a chance to get outside, get some Vitamin D, check out the neighboorhood, window shop, guy watch, :) all the fun things. Martha >> > There was recently a post about this, but I think I have determined >> > that I really, really despise cardio. I hate spending an hour on [quoted text clipped - 15 lines] > > Martha Cool. Come run on our ice covered roads with 5' high snow banks and no shoulders. It's been in the single digits and below zero every morning this week! Signaturethe volleyballchick > >> > There was recently a post about this, but I think I have determined > >> > that I really, really despise cardio. I hate spending an hour on [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > -- > the volleyballchick Actually, I'd love to try out the running crampons that they use in rec.running. Sounds fun and a lot more interesting than a treadmill! Martha > Actually, I'd love to try out the running crampons that they use in > rec.running. Sounds fun and a lot more interesting than a treadmill! But the cars don't have crampons! Drivers are very polite to me here, but I know if I was driving on icy roads, the last thing I'd want to see was someone trying to walk on the same road. The more snow we get, the narrower the roads become and if traffic was travelling in both directions - yikes! The fact it'll be their fault if they hit me gives me little comfort. SignatureSnowshoeing . . . Laurie in Maine 207/115 Start: 2/02 Maintained since 2/03 >> Actually, I'd love to try out the running crampons that they use in >> rec.running. Sounds fun and a lot more interesting than a treadmill! [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > directions - yikes! The fact it'll be their fault if they hit me gives > me little comfort. I've run with the crampons and my screw shoes on ice covered lakes for the reasons you mention. The roads are narrow and downright dangerous. I spun out twice today on the way to work. Both times it was making a turn from a stop sign and trust me I was barely moving. This is the worst time of year because the snow melts a bit during the day and the roads get wet then it all freezes at night and of course it's been lightly snowing on a daily basis for over a week now. The only place to run on the lakes these days are the snowmobile trails because the snow is just way too deep. Snowmobiles don't like sharing with pedestrians. This year I also tried some jogging with snowshoes. Definitely fun but once the snow gets too deep and you move to the longer snowshoes it's just mechanically not possible to run well at all. Most runners up here cross train with XC skis in the winter and of course - the treadmill. Signaturethe volleyballchick > >> Actually, I'd love to try out the running crampons that they use in > >> rec.running. Sounds fun and a lot more interesting than a treadmill! [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > because the snow is just way too deep. Snowmobiles don't like sharing with > pedestrians. Sounds like the bicyclists here. They're a pretty rude bunch. This year I also tried some jogging with snowshoes. > Definitely fun but once the snow gets too deep and you move to the longer > snowshoes it's just mechanically not possible to run well at all. Most > runners up here cross train with XC skis in the winter and of course - the > treadmill. The drivers around here are crazy and dangerous and the weather is hardly ever bad. ;) Martha > -- Leafing through alt.support.diet, I read a message from bastmag666 @yahoo.com of 16 Mar 2005: > Actually, I'd love to try out the running crampons that they use in > rec.running. Sounds fun and a lot more interesting than a treadmill! This seems to work for many runners - http://www.skyrunner.com/screwshoe.htm Phil M. I find running outside much more pleasurable than a rat race on a treadmill. Signature223/173.3/180 > Also, here's another fun question: why is exercise so painful > (sometimes) and food so delicious? Man, life is unfair! Food was scarce and exercise was always required to live so there was no reason to build systems into the body to encourage it. One suggestion is to try and combine exercise with your daily activities instead of as a separate "thing" you have to do. Get up at work every hour and take a walk and stretch. Park far away from entrances. Take stairs. That sort of thing. > Hello Everyone, > [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > within ten minutes or less, and I move onto a different muscle group > and so forth. But cardio...that I can really do without. DH and I just discussed this last night. Granted - in the post the other day, I talked about how I usually make deals w/ myself when I don't feel like exercising. Last night I was feeling blah when I got home and didn't go to the gym. DH suggested I go get on the bike in the bedroom, but I didn't want to. Which led to our discussion. I can ride outside for hours on end without getting bored or tired. I can even walk for an hour or jog without getting bored. At the gym I do 20 to 30 mins on the eliptical and enjoy it. But when it comes to using the bike at home, its a total chore and I would rather do anything else. Even w/ a TV (and control of the remote), wireless internet laptop, stereo w/ full accompaniment of CD's. There is something about indoor exercise - especially at my home, that I just can't do. Get me to a gym and I'll do better. Get my outside and doing something and I'm golden. > I remember back in the day (read: two months ago) where I'd do about > 5-6 hours of really intense (heartrate at 180+) cardio a week. Now I am > sick and tired of it. Is there a way to lose weight without having to > do so much cardio? Sounds like burnout. You did too much, too fast, too often and burnt yourself out which is why you have lost interest. The old rule of thumb was 30 mins 3 times a week. New US standard actually recommends 90 mins of vigorous exercise 5 to 6 times a week to lose weight. Personally I find anywhere from 3 to 5 hrs is a good average for me. 30 mins a day does the trick. But YMMV - we are all different. > The old rule of thumb was 30 mins 3 times a week. New US standard actually > recommends 90 mins of vigorous exercise 5 to 6 times a week to lose weight. Honestly, that seems excessive. I think the new recommendation is to make up for some of the worst eating habits in the world. If people limit their refined carbs and saturated fats, and just eat less of everything in general, it should not be very hard for them to lose weight at the original recommendation. Not enough attention is being paid to good nutrition. Sara >> The old rule of thumb was 30 mins 3 times a week. New US standard > actually [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Sara I know that, you know that - but the general population does not know that. Honestly, the exercise I'm doing to lose weight right now totals about 5 to 6hrs of cardio a week and 3 weight routines about 35 mins each. The new recommendation is about 7.5 to 9hrs a week in vigorous exercise. If you calculate my cardio and weight routine together I do spend about that amount of time, just not at 90mins per day perse. between diet and exercise I'm losing about 2lbs per week right now. So, yeah, if I wanted to slow down to 1lb a week I could either exercise less or eat more (or a bit of both). But the reality is the general public is not educated well enough on nutrition. What - with the USDA changing food guidlines every few years as it is, to revolve around whatever special interest group is giving them the most lobbying money, its hard to learn and hard to keep up. With so much "convienence" being offered in todays fast paced society, the convienence comes with a price - in both calories and preservatives. The key is, how do you educate the masses in proper nutrition and how to figure out for themselves what is good and what to avoid. ASD is a small group - and posts like this end up being "preaching to the chior" posts. We know better because we are here. Those that do come in, we try to teach, but those 1 or 2 a month are not enough of the population whole to matter. > There is something about indoor exercise - especially at my home, that I > just can't do. Get me to a gym and I'll do better. Get my outside and > doing something and I'm golden. I'm pretty much the same way. I don't like to exercise in my house because there are too many distractions. At the gym it's pretty boring if you aren't working out :). I'd take outdoors over everything but with the exception of snowshoeing there isn't a lot to be done outside here these days. Signaturethe volleyballchick > > There is something about indoor exercise - especially at my home, that I > > just can't do. Get me to a gym and I'll do better. Get my outside and [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > exception of snowshoeing there isn't a lot to be done outside here these > days. It certainly is hard to not workout while at the gym. I don't know about others, but I do have this passive competitive spirit. If there is another woman of similar stature and build that is using the machines, I want to lift heavier than her. Or if I'm on the cardio machine and someone is on the same one next to me, I want to go faster and harder than they do. :-) Of course the passive part of me never wants to let on that I actually do this, as if someone thinks i'm competing, I give up. :) I only compete if I can win. :) >It certainly is hard to not workout while at the gym. I don't know about >others, but I do have this passive competitive spirit. If there is another [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >this, as if someone thinks i'm competing, I give up. :) I only compete if >I can win. :) I know what you mean. I do a lot of walking, and I like to pass people. I also hate to be passed by anybody. I will speed up if they are gaining on me. Last week, when I was on those slow rollerblades, while the wheels were too tight, I kept going even though I was exhausted, becaused I'll be damned if somebody walking is going to pass me while I'm on skates, even if they are slowing me down. I did almost take them off and walk back, but I thought that would be giving up, and I just couldn't do it. At home, though, I find it much harder to keep focused. There are just so many other things I should be doing. And honestly, I should skip the computer time, not the exercise time, but I do find myself skipping the exericise with various excuses. I need to find a way to make myself more accountable at home. -- Meghan & the Zoo Crew Equine and Pet Photography http://www.zoocrewphoto.com > Hello Everyone, > [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > HS. I do fine working out at home. I use the stairs in the apartment and do weight training and Pilates in the living room and there is also a wall to wall, ceiling to floor mirror there. SignatureDiva ***** The Best Man For The Job Is A Woman Months ago, because of posts like the ones in this thread, I came to the conclusion that I'm a freak because I like exercise, especially cardio. I also like going to the gym. My life is so wrapped up in work that I relish having a place to go where people aren't involved in my career. My gym also has a row of TV turned to various channels. I also carry my CD player and used to bring my MP3 player (it was stolen and I haven't replaced it) so I have rockin' tunes to fuel my workout. Sometimes, I'll skip the music or TV and just think - plan my lectures, mull personal problems, get mentally prepared for work or ponder my vacations. I've seen people reading while doing to elliptical, bike and treadmill. My fav cardio is aerobics. I can see how working out on the machines can become a grind. But give me a large step or low-impact aerobics class with kick-a.s music and a creative, energetic instructor, and I'll exercise for hours - and be sorry when class ends. As always, YMMV. Kasey 365/213/190 > My fav cardio is aerobics. I can see how working out on the machines > can become a grind. But give me a large step or low-impact aerobics > class with kick-a.s music and a creative, energetic instructor, and > I'll exercise for hours - and be sorry when class ends. I went to my first instructor-lead step aerobics class in years this weekend and it was a blast! Signaturethe volleyballchick > Hello Everyone, Hello. :) > Also, here's another fun question: why is exercise so painful > (sometimes) and food so delicious? Man, life is unfair! Human life used to be active enough that we didn't need to do "cardio." Food was not so easily available or so unhealthy/processed. So, since we are "blessed" to live in modern times, we get to deal with modern problems. Cardio and the foods readily available today are NOT part of any "natural way." IMHO. I guess it's the price we pay for all the niceties. For example: is 5 mins of cardio worth the joy of a hot shower? ;) Anyway... bye! Heidi > I guess it's the price we pay for all the niceties. For example: is > 5 mins of cardio worth the joy of a hot shower? ;) LOL Yay Heidi! I admit there have been a couple evenings this winter when the only thing that drove me to the basement and my treadmill (which is a godsend during the long winter evenings) was the promise of a hot shower 40 minutes later! Rewards come in many forms :-) SignatureSnowshoeing . . . Laurie in Maine 207/115 Start: 2/02 Maintained since 2/03 > Hello Everyone, > [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > HS. If exercise tasted as good as ice cream I'd be willing to do it daily<g> I've never been much of a gym person. I have a membership to a local gym but haven't used it much lately. Is there some type of cardio you really enjoy such as skating, biking, etc? I find it much easier to do something I like. I also enjoy variety so I have quite a few exercise videos to keep myself from getting bored with the same routine. Beverly > If exercise tasted as good as ice cream I'd be willing to do it daily<g> I need to trick my brain into thinking exercise feels as good as ice cream tastes! I always try to think to myself "nothing taste as good as thin feels." Superficial, yes, but entirely true. > I've never been much of a gym person. I have a membership to a local gym > but haven't used it much lately. Is there some type of cardio you really > enjoy such as skating, biking, etc? I find it much easier to do something I > like. I also enjoy variety so I have quite a few exercise videos to keep > myself from getting bored with the same routine. I went to the gym religiously and as of today, I have not done cardio for an entire week. I feel very bad about it. In addition, I have been eating rather, um, let's just say "well" since Thursday, and I haven't gone to the gym to recover from my overeating. But today I went road biking, probably biked around 10 miles or so. I didn't feel really tired, or rather, as tired as I would have been if I did my typical hour of elliptical. Tomorrow I plan on going straight from work to the gym as I do not feel the need to have dinner (today's food intake alone probably exceeded 3000 calories...I feel myself slipping...). Exercise doesn't have to suck - the key is finding an exercise you *enjoy*. If you enjoy it, you'll carry on at it. If you don't enjoy it, life is h*ll and then yes, exercise sucks ;-) I *loathe* going to the gym with a vengeance, but put me on a bicycle and I'll happily pedal away all day. Find the form of exercise *you* enjoy, be it walking, golf, tennis, swimming, cycling, jogging - whatever. Exercise does not have to equal gym. Cheers, helen s > Exercise doesn't have to suck - the key is finding an exercise you *enjoy*. > If you enjoy it, you'll carry on at it. If you don't enjoy it, life is h*ll [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Cheers, helen s I agree 100% with finding an exercise you enjoy. Biking is my favorite form of exercise (thought I recognized your name from another group). I didn't get a change to respond on the other group so I'll say congratulations on your recent weight loss success. Keep it up! Beverly WW lifetime member since '84 177/142/~140 > I agree 100% with finding an exercise you enjoy. Biking is my favorite > form of exercise (thought I recognized your name from another group). [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > WW lifetime member since '84 > 177/142/~140 Thanks :-) Cheers, helen s > Exercise doesn't have to suck - the key is finding an exercise you *enjoy*. > If you enjoy it, you'll carry on at it. If you don't enjoy it, life is h*ll [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > > Cheers, helen s I agree 100% with finding an exercise you enjoy. Biking is my favorite form of exercise (thought I recognized your name from another group). I didn't get a change to respond on the other group so I'll say congratulations on your recent weight loss success. Keep it up! Beverly WW lifetime member since '84 177/142/~140 > I remember back in the day (read: two months ago) where > I'd do about 5-6 hours of really intense (heartrate at > 180+) cardio a week. Now I am sick and tired of it. Is > there a way to lose weight without having to do so much > cardio? As others have said, you should find something you like doing. When you first started posting here you stated that you were running 25-30 miles per week. Did you stop doing that? Did you not enjoy it? You live in the LA area, right? I know there are all sorts of beautiful running trails near you. It beats the heck out of running on a treadmill. Phil M. > Hello Everyone, > [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > HS. Cardio is not necessary for weight loss; and in fact, you may find more benefit from weight lifting (more muscle burns more calories when you do much of anything throughout the rest of the day). Some cardio is good for your heart, but if you want to take a break, do so. When you feel the need, start slow and shoot for about 20 min, 3x a week so that you hopefully do not get burned out again. Genetically we are programmed to work as little as possible (save energy for emergency--like fleeing danger or hunting food) and we want (crave, desire) to eat high calorie food (to get more energy for the stores--i.e. fat). Basically, our bodies are out to do us in, and we must resist it like a rally against the Borg! (resistance is not futile in this case). Remember, the absolutely best, most beneficial exercise ever conceived by the gods above...is simply the one that you will do! SignatureDr. Dickie Skepticult member in good standing #394-00596-438 Poking kooks with a pointy stick. "The most exciting phrase to hear in science, the one that heralds new discoveries, is not 'Eureka!' ('I found it!'), but rather 'hmm....that's funny...'" - Isaac Asimov LOL - I couldn't agree more. Cardio in the gym feels like rats in a machine. Get me outdoors and I'm fine. I did try breaking up a 20 minute elliptical session into 4 5-minute sessions and that helped alot. It's a start anyway. Mel eat less, move more 225/220/160 > Hello Everyone, > [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > > HS. >Hello Everyone, > [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] >sick and tired of it. Is there a way to lose weight without having to >do so much cardio? Sure - there's lots of programs out there. Basically, the main alternatives are: 1) -diet only- (but you need to be really, really, strict). Often low-carb is the recommended way if you go this route 2) -diet and resistance training only- (ie. Fred Hahn's Slow Burn Fitness Revolution). Adding lean muscle mass speeds the metabolism so that you're constantly burning more calories throughout the day (vs. caridio where you're really only burning calories while you're exercising) 3) -diet, resistance training, and high intensity cardio- (no more than 20 minutes per day - this is a very common recommendation now-a-days). Lots of good scientific support, and part of many popular programs. 4) -diet, moderate resistance training exercise, and an active- life-style - (taking the stairs, etc.) This is what I think Walter Willett (Harvard Med) would recommend. For me, it's a 'spectrum'. At one end (diet only) I can only eat the healthiest foods, and in small amounts (no treats or indulgences!) At the other end (lots of exercise, no diet) I can eat whatever I want... but have to pay for it with lots of hard, grueling, serious exercise. I think the ideal solution lies somewhere in the middle, and it's probably at a different spot for each person. > Hello Everyone, > [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > feeling like it, and, after a ten minute walk on the treadmill, I left > the gym an hour early. Are you near water where you can canoe, kayak or row, etc.? That's always so soothing. Beats the gym by a mile, pleasure=wise. Ymmv, Andy Signature"Ladies and gentlemen, The Beatles!" - Ed Sullivan (1964) |
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