Wellness

[Ainhisg]

Making yourself exercise when you really don't want to is hard.  Developing or continuing health issues from lack of exercise is hard.  Choose your hard.

I had a painful bout of arthritis in my hip a few years ago when I was in my mid-50's!  I had no idea what was wrong, but when I told the doctor that it had been a particularly cold winter, so I hadn't been walking, he told me I needed to walk in some way shape or form to keep the arthritis at bay.  Motion is lotion.  Thanks to a heavy regimen of ibuprofen, I got over it and have never had it again, since I power walk three times a week for about 45 minutes each time.

I can't exercise inside--too boring for me!  I power walk (a very fast walk) outside.  I drive to interesting neighborhoods, walking trails, lakes...anywhere close by that I can walk and see something different.  I walk every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.  When it's super hot like it has been, I roll out of bed, throw on my clothes, and get out there before sunrise.  Yes, I'd rather have my coffee and sit around, but I know I can't for my health.  Scheduling is the key.  I am fortunate to live in a city where I am very close to lakes, a conservation center, walking trails, even just pretty neighborhoods with stately homes.  That has always been the key for me--to walk outside!  And, yes...unless it's 32 degrees or lower (actual temp or wind chill), I am out walking.  I bundle up and go.  Surprisingly, I have found walking in colder weather to be so invigorating.  It makes me feel alive.  

A couple of years ago, I started doing weights.  I watch Netflix or whatever while doing them, but it is still boring to me, and I dread it.  Well, a bout of achilles tendonitis, torn cartilage in my wrist, hip bursitis, and sciatica have stopped the weights for about the last year.  My doctor recommended some exercises/stretches to get over "all of that," so I have been doing them.  I was lucky to find some YouTube videos from Caroline Jordan addressing some of these concerns, and wow...her stretches/exercises have been the key.  And I don't find her "too" boring to watch, since I do the exercises right along with her.  I try to do them every day.

You can do this!  Someone else had a good suggestion to just time yourself doing something for 10 minutes.  If you want to continue, then you can.  Anything is better than nothing.  Find something you like to do, schedule time to do it, and as Nike says, "Just do it!"  

[Laura14]

I find really great music or just doing it in front of the tv helps my motivation.

If you have no tv where the equipment is, stream it on your tablet.

A good book works too if you are doing cycling or something that can accommodate that. Or audio books work for anything. 

You could also join a group and log your activity. Even online, you get held to account if they start missing your posts. 

[Icegoddess]

I guess it must be different for everyong.  If there was just one answer, I would also like to know.  Not for me, but for my husband.  He pretty much has checked out for the last 9 months.  Not just exercise, but things like maintenance that needs to be done around the house.  

For me, I don't want to lose what I worked so hard for over the years.  My gynecologist told me a few years ago that once you hit menopause you WILL lose muscle, no way around it.  Well that just put me in the mode to prove her wrong.  So far, I'm winning, but I'm still on HRT, so that may change once I taper off of it.  Also, I see other people my age with mobility problems.  That alone keeps me going to the gym.

I WON'T work out at home.  It just won't happen.  I MUST make myself get up at 6:30 and go to the gym or I just won't go.  I do find excuses not to go, like if it's raining.  And I really dread when it starts being dark at 6:30 becuase I despise having to get up in the dark.  I will, on occasion, do several laps just walking around the neighborhood.  That was really all I had during the pandemic, but luckily my gym opened back up fairly quickly compared to the rest of the country.  

[ID2]

I have an exercise room consisting of a treadmill and elliptical and a television. I prefer to walk outdoors. I seem only to use my indoor gym during the winter when the weather is horrible. My dh and I walk twice a day four seasons of the year. We've lost over 130 lbs. between the two of us and refuse to gain it back. It's just our lifestyle now to get up in the morning putting on our walking clothes and walk early in the morning and again in the evening. 

[m0rgan]

I hated to exercise but after physical therapy for a torn meniscus ended, I went right down to the gym in the same building at my hospital and signed up for a personal trainer.  He works with just me for 1 hour Tuesdays and Thursdays.  I must say I still don't like going there but always feel better when I leave.  It isn't cheap but if you miss with no notice they charge you for that day.  That helps to keep me on track.  As I leave I see all the people my age with canes or walkers and say I don't want that to happen to me.  If you need something to get you started sit in a hospital waiting room and watch.

[SilleeMee]

Find a partner or group to help you stay focused on an exercise routine, someone or several people who might give you motivation and challenges you so you stay on track to keep in a long-term program.

That doesn't mean it has to be someone in person but it could be an online program as well. 

[Harpa]

Incentives!

I can relate to a lot of what you wrote, except that I very rarely miss a brisk walk, no matter the weather. So much better when the dog is here, because he, like me, enjoys them so much. I would not use a treadmill, unless I lived in the city. Which was why I got the Pilates.

So, I used to do that, and I felt so good. But the city was only a temporary arrangement years ago. I don't have a basement, and now I do not want the clutter in my large master bedroom! Otherwise, I'd probably do 10-15 minutes of Pilates, too.

I know the body is stronger when you use it. Everything works better. I sleep better. I think better. I don't gain weight. I have energy way more than people half my age.

Mainly, those are my incentives.

Also, nobody is going to do it for you.

[SloopJohnB]

I see you have gotten a lot of answers and good advice. My answer is very simple and has worked for me thru the years and still does.......I exercise first thing when I get up.  Otherwise, I have all day to dwell on it and make excuses not to. 🏋🚴🏃

[jubilant]

I have been having the same problem. It finally dawned on me that I have more energy for exercise when I sleep better at night.  Normally, I am a good sleeper but I have a few more aches and pains than I used to so I wake up more. I am back on my treadmill. Sometimes it's 15 minutes and sometimes it 25 to 30 but at least I'm on it again. This week I'll be happy if I can do 3 days.  I also do stretches.  Those I never give up. If I do the pain gets worse. I do notice my balance getting better when I walk.

[Tinkrbl44]

@SeaMaiden 

Huh ...  While I admire those who can do the same treadmill or same bike or same whatever .... I just don't think it's sustainable for decades.

Personally, I exercise most when I mix it up and have a bigger variety of options.   Plus, the excessive heat factors in.

I have RA, and while I still use my Pilates machine,  some days I prefer a walk in the park.  In summer, it's a walk in an air conditioned mall that has benches here and there.  Or walking the perimeter at Target.

I know it's important to keep moving, but I have never "moved" the same amount each and every day.  If I'm having a low energy day, I do a low energy exercise.

I could be the exception here .... but using the exact same piece of equipment for long periods just isn't sustainable.