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Growing up I played sports all year round. It was mandatory, fun, unknowing exercise every day. I played hockey, lacrosse, and soccer so there wasn't any weight training involved. The summers were filled with swimming and biking all over creation. Never set foot inside a health club, ever.
When I went to college, that all went to a screeching halt. No more mandatory practices or games to get my exercise in. I packed on the pounds and tried to go exercise at the gym like everyone else. That motivation soon went to 0.0%. I could not focus on just exercising. Being on a machine and reading or watching TV, there was no competition associated with it, it just was not for me.
Luckily the college gym had spinning class', hockey once a week, and some other more active exercise options. I was just wondering if others who played sports and never officially exercised run into the same problems I do?
I have been able to find thing I like doing that include cycling, hiking, hockey once a week, xcountry skiing, snow shoeing. Don't get me wrong I enjoy doing them, but they are much more time consuming than going to the gym after work or riding the stationary bike at home. I especially struggle with this in the winter when its dark when I leave for work and dark when I come home. I hope to build a back yard ice rink next year so I hope that will help.
Why not make the exercise the sport? Competing against yourself can be the best motivator. I think the problem you are having is there is no "point" to your working out, except aesthetics...which is a subjective destination and about which one can lie to one's self. I talk about them all the time, but how about doing sprinting? It is high intensity, NEVER boring, and you can time yourself...and the watch never lies. Just go to a track and do 100m intervals, timing yourself...always trying to best yourself. Another good route to go is Escalating Density Training with weights...look it up...I can't get into all the details, but it treats the workout as a performance metric, with the goal being to perform as much work as possible moving weights in 15 minute intervals.
In both of the above situations you can be done with your workout in 30 minutes, and you will be devastated. Along with this, you will grow muscle and your metabolism will be off the charts for hours afterwards.
High volume cardio is a losing battle...and this is coming from someone who has run some decent marathons and used to run 50-70 miles per week. Unless your goal is an endurance sport, or you legit love grinding away on a bike or running, you are better served doing shorter duration, but more explosive and intense workouts (and it will save your joints as well).
I officially exercised for years and no longer do so. Try cross training- do something different every day- intense workouts you can do at home with equipment like kettlebells alternated with walking etc.
I completely agree. I can't handle more than about 20 minutes on a cardio machine before I go cuckoo from boredom. My solution:
1. I only do intervals on the cardio machine. The time flies by.
2. If I don't do intervals, I do sprints (especially on the rower) so I can beat my last time
3. I compete with the person next to me. :P They have no idea probably.
4. I create playlists of new high energy music so I have new stuff to listen to or use pandora
And then I work on strength training in different formats: free weights, machines, slow sets, heavy sets, circuit training. A different thing every time.
I am in and out of the gym in an hour. Anymore cuts into play time.
And then for non-exercise purposes do a fun activity: tennis, walking errands...
I completely agree. I can't handle more than about 20 minutes on a cardio machine before I go cuckoo from boredom. My solution:
1. I only do intervals on the cardio machine. The time flies by.
[...]
4. I create playlists of new high energy music so I have new stuff to listen to or use pandora.
I do the same. I hate exercising and I really need my high energy music to motivate and even distract myself a bit.
I used to practice martial arts but after I busted my knee and had PT for several months, I never went back. I gained weight and I haven't been able to get a new routine. That's why I'm going to the gym every time I have some motivation. Actually I just got home. (Yep, this late).
I'm trying to walk more often and for longer periods. Time to get moving. (Actually I'm getting a new cell phone next month and I think I'll try that Couch to 5K app) Good luck, OP. I know it's hard.
Growing up I played sports all year round. It was mandatory, fun, unknowing exercise every day. I played hockey, lacrosse, and soccer so there wasn't any weight training involved. The summers were filled with swimming and biking all over creation. Never set foot inside a health club, ever.
When I went to college, that all went to a screeching halt. No more mandatory practices or games to get my exercise in. I packed on the pounds and tried to go exercise at the gym like everyone else. That motivation soon went to 0.0%. I could not focus on just exercising. Being on a machine and reading or watching TV, there was no competition associated with it, it just was not for me.
Luckily the college gym had spinning class', hockey once a week, and some other more active exercise options. I was just wondering if others who played sports and never officially exercised run into the same problems I do?
I have been able to find thing I like doing that include cycling, hiking, hockey once a week, xcountry skiing, snow shoeing. Don't get me wrong I enjoy doing them, but they are much more time consuming than going to the gym after work or riding the stationary bike at home. I especially struggle with this in the winter when its dark when I leave for work and dark when I come home. I hope to build a back yard ice rink next year so I hope that will help.
I know I will send Tom and Bosco into a tizzy with this, but have you looked at CrossFit?
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