A love/hate relationship with exercise

I can definitely relate to this. Winter is extra challenging - so I admire your daily exercise!

At the moment my main exercise is commuting to work or uni by bike - otherwise, it's hard to motivate myself to find time to exercise - it's as quick to ride as it is to take public transport which is great, and I like to listen to various podcasts on the way. The only downside is that when it's too cold and windy I miss out - so I probably need to get over my hatred of gyms - or find some other alternative..

I'm the same, I know I want to, I know I need to but I just can't find the motivation. I really do like to stick on headphones and walk but then I think about how hot it is and kind of procrastinate then it's too late to do anything. Shame procrastination isn't an exercise

I love the idea of procrastination being a form of exercise JT. I am still smiling about it. I would be super good at it too

Personally I find the music I'm listening to helps. Faster songs tend to make me go faster subconsiously.

I refuse to excercise, it is a terrible thing, but everyday I walk and I have lost most of the weight I had put on due to medication. I found that what works for me is not saying "Twice a day I MUST walk for this long no matter what" becuase that makes it a burden rather than a pleasure, rather if I work it into the things I need to do anyway. Going to the supermarket, walk instead of catching the bus, need to go further walk 4 or 5 bus/tram stops before getting onto PT, and the last thing I like to do is use it as an excuse to explore an area of my city. I have tricked my mind into enjoying it rather than resisting it 🙂

I can definitely relate to this, especially in Winter when the days are so short (and, alas, in Summer when the days are so HOT!).

Over the years I have furnished up quite a bit of gym equipment so I can do a pretty good workout at home, but the thing that is best for getting me going is walking at least part way to and from work - if I can do that a few days in a row I get way more motivated to do other forms of exercise because it makes me feel good physically, and feel good about myself.

I also recently discovered that I LOVE jogging (slower than a snail) and when the weather is suitable that is one of my favorite things. I highly reccomend the Couch to 5k program for non-runners who would like to start running - it is SO simple (especially as there are a couple of free podcasts that do the pace changes for you) and makes it really easy to progress. It gave me such a feeling of accomplishment,not to mention the famous 'runner's high'.

Working out is one of my most reliable ways to improve my mood (so long as I can actually make myself start) and I love that it will pick me up form depression, AND calm me down from anxiety. I have never regretted a workout, it is always a good choice for me.

That said it can still be hard to start. It can be frustrating that something I really enjoy, and that really benefits me can still be so hard to just DO.