I hate exercise!

[pearl]

Welcome to the group! I am also former military. One of the things I have learned over the years is to find what feeds your soul. For quite a while I did a beginner yoga several times a week with a youtube video. After a small health scare Sir decided he needed to actually do regular exercise instead of just living an active lifestyle. He required me to do the same amount of exercise he did. At first we both walked on the treadmill several times a week. We then added weight training. I finally found what feeds my soul! I do weight training 5 days a week for 45 minutes and 2-3 times a week cardio for 30 minutes. (We have a home gym.)

What I found that helped me the most was setting goals. These goals need to be specific and measurable. I recommend setting both long and short term goals. Your short term goals should help you get to your long term goal. My major long term goal last year was to be able to do one unassisted pull up. I can now do 2 or three with out assist bands. Every week I had short term goals for each exercise I would do and made sure to do things that would help strengthen my back, shoulders and arms. That, in turn, helped me reach my long term goal.

So look around try some different workouts (there are lots on youtube). Find the thing that you enjoy doing. Set some long term goals and short term goals and talk with your Sir about some sort of reward system if that helps motivate you.

One other thing to think about…what is your why. Why do you want to get fit, why do you care? Sir and I adopted 2 children and that put our “life without children” plans on hold for at least 10 years. One of my major ‘whys’ was that I wanted to be in good shape to enjoy the traveling we plan to do at the end of that 10 years.

[elsklingprema-norseman]

<font color=”#000016″>As a senior citizen (yup! but not the oldest sub in captivity) I know exercise is essential for a quality life. I realized this when I turned 40 and began to notice the changes to come and found out that things fall apart without exercise. I joined a gym at that time and it was hell getting started. The place made you sign a year contract and they assigned a trainer for the first six week program which they set up. Each six weeks they’d change the exercises. I found out it was a lot more fun to go to classes for the cardio and then do the weights afterward. </font>

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<font color=”#000016″>Yes it was hard but one thing changed my attitude. The gym shared space with a hospital rehab center and the PT people would bring these very old and damaged people in coming back from strokes or injuries or to just make them stronger. While I watched them struggle through their routines just to regain the ability to walk or care for themselves I realized how ridiculous it was for me to look at exercise as a negative in any way. It was just like eating, going to the toilet or sleeping. It was a necessity and that changed my attitude about exercise and strength training.</font>

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<font color=”#000022″>Now almost 30 years later I can enjoy a body I’m proud of and hike and bike and feel good. Getting through the few hours a week that got me here was easier if I looked at it through a different viewpoint. When I came down with a debilitating autoimmune disease my doctor sent me to PT to help get my muscle mass built up again (it caused muscle wasting). I complained to the therapist about working out so hard and so consistently all the years before just to lose muscle to the disease. She said “do you realize what you’d be like if you had NOT done all that exercise?” And she was so right. Once the disease went into remission all the muscles remembered what to do and I came back quickly.</font>

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<font color=”#000022″>Moral of the story – one thing we can change always is our attitude. For me it was a simple change in attitude that enabled me to be who I am today (my Sir is the same-works out daily). </font>

<font color=”#000022″>hugs </font>

<font color=”#000022″>elskling</font>

[blossom]

Good Morning Discretesub!

The secret is finding something you like to do. Have you tried walking? It is much softer on the knees and back. I was a running for years, but I developed back and hip problems. I then discovered the Peloton Bike! I know cross train with the bike, walking, elliptical, pilates, and some weights.

Find something you like! Since COVID-19, I have really gotten into mediation and it has helped to center me.

Keep us posted on how you are doing!

Much Love and Support – Blossom

[Zie]

Yep ex-military and havent done a thing in 7 years. I have the time and just had my 1st pole dancing class today. $10 a class. Heck, I am gonna be sore and now must address my fear of falling and complete lack of rhythm. I wanted to tell someone when I got out of the class but…yeah…that ain’t happening with my vanillas. Then I thought of you guys! I just bought bright red pole dancing boots. I and the most uncoordinated person I know and an just OLD enough to not CARE now- woo hoo! I may be the oldest person there but Whatever! I’m gonna be in much better shape when I die from over stimulation!

[macescheri]

I did pool dancing years ago. I loved it but I have had multiple shoulder surgeries and my dr said I needed to stop. Good luck with your classes.