Get thee a music player and good playlist. makes it easier to enjoy exercise and ignore others.

You need to slow way down. Slow enough that you could talk while exercising. In time you can build speed.

I'm slow too and sometimes embarrassed to slow the treadmill down to my level because I think others will judgeme. Truly, no one cares!! Everyone is just doing their own thing and maybe the people looking over at you are admiring you for working hard. You're doing this for your health, not for others, so who cares what they think?

Listen to some music you enjoy & just go with a steady/fast walk. I think you are pushing herself too hard & not enjoying it so the adrenaline is turning into anger.

10:43 here - I'm a daily exerciser, so people assume I love working out so it's not hard for me. I don't always love working out and sometimes it is hard. The difference for me is that I know that everything in life does not have to be fun or easy or what I *want* to do right then, and I can push myself to do it anyway and 99% of the time, I"ll be glad afterward that I did it.

It's ok if workouts are sometimes not fun. Work is not usually fun for me. Driving in traffic is rarely fun. A lot of the stuff that goes into parenting is not fun. But it's stuff that has a purpose, so I do it, and it pays off.

If you're angry, what are you actually angry about? Are you hungry? If your blood sugar drops because you aren't eating enough (or at the right times) to fuel your exercise, you might get angry. Are you more likely to work out when you're already pissed off about something because the adrenaline makes you want to work out?

Who cares if people are looking at you? I don't ever assume anyone is looking at me when I work out.

if you're struggling for breath, you may have allergies or asthma or you're going out too hard and need to dial it back. That said, when I feel like I'm having to make a ton of effort during my runs, those are usually the days when I'm running faster than usual. Running faster than usual hurts a little, but breaking out of your comfort zone is the best way I know to set new personal records.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have worked out my whole life and love the feeling I get from exercise. There's nothing like a good hard, sweaty workout and a hot shower afterwards. I really don't understand people who don't exercise. If I go more than a day or two without a workout, I don't feel right.

Well isn't that special.


Exercise is a habit; fortunately you have it. It doesn't come naturally to a lot of people. It's something to be learned. You're fortunate that you enjoy it. Even though you may not understand people who don't exercise, I hope you encourage those who try.

Seriously. I also love the feeling of a good hard workout, but that doesn't mean I "don't understand" people who don't share that experience. I remember when I first started running at age 13; I couldn't run a mile, and huffed and puffed my way around the tiny track outside the Y near my house. It sucked. Fast forward 20-some years later, and I love my workouts.

That feeling takes time, OP. You have to find something you enjoy doing, whether it's walking, weights, swimming, etc., and then persevere. You can absolutely do it!! Make it a habit and take pride in your efforts. I just started running again after having my second child four months ago, and this past weekend my 2yo daughter told me I was walking as I slowly jogged with her in the stroller. I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry, but I kept going. And I'm damn proud of it, too. You'll get there. Keep at it!

Anonymous wrote:I have worked out my whole life and love the feeling I get from exercise. There's nothing like a good hard, sweaty workout and a hot shower afterwards. I really don't understand people who don't exercise. If I go more than a day or two without a workout, I don't feel right.

Well isn't that special.


Exercise is a habit; fortunately you have it. It doesn't come naturally to a lot of people. It's something to be learned. You're fortunate that you enjoy it. Even though you may not understand people who don't exercise, I hope you encourage those who try.

Anonymous wrote:Why are you doing cardio? Start lifting Bd you'll feel great and can add in cardio! I'm behind you 110%!!!

Do the weights, but first warm up for 15 minutes by walking on the treadmill or riding bike. Don't lift weights on cold muscles.

I have worked out my whole life and love the feeling I get from exercise. There's nothing like a good hard, sweaty workout and a hot shower afterwards. I really don't understand people who don't exercise. If I go more than a day or two without a workout, I don't feel right.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I'm just doing fast walking and the trying to jog a bit. I'm VERY out of shape. Like I said, I like to swim, because that way I can move my body and I won't be sweaty. I want to go to a yoga class too, but I know I will be intimidated by all the tight ass ponytailed 25 year olds. Anyone know an yoga place that welcomes old (I'm 44) and fat (size 16) women?

Pretty much every yoga class I've ever been to is very welcoming to all comers. Highly, highly recommend St Mark's Yoga on the Hill for this.

Why are you doing cardio? Start lifting Bd you'll feel great and can add in cardio! I'm behind you 110%!!!

Just keep at it. I was there too. Lost 120 lbs and put on a lot of muscle. I still get massively sweaty, but I am HIGH as hell most of the day. And I don't believe you should slow down or take it easier. I'm in great shape and push myself to your level of discomfort through every workout. It works.

Sticky to fast walking if jogging bothers you--or work up to it. Even walking is great--you are moving your body, outdoors, etc..

Don't worry about what other people think!

BalletNova (Virginia, Bailey's Crossroads) takes all kinds for all sorts of adult classes--not just ballet, but also tap, modern, yoga, stretch, pilates...

I also recommend _watching_ Indian dance for a _completely_ different aesthetic--these dancers are amazing, and the thin body type is the exception.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I'm just doing fast walking and the trying to jog a bit. I'm VERY out of shape. Like I said, I like to swim, because that way I can move my body and I won't be sweaty. I want to go to a yoga class too, but I know I will be intimidated by all the tight ass ponytailed 25 year olds. Anyone know an yoga place that welcomes old (I'm 44) and fat (size 16) women?

I don't do yoga, but don't be intimidated OP. I was a size 14 (at 5'2") red-faced woman, and now am comfortably in a size 6. A lot of the "tight ass ponytailed" women you see exercising weren't always that way. I don't judge others, because I know where I was at one point. You can't see where people were or will be, and it's pointless to compare yourself to others (though I know its inevitable). Just be you, and focus on slowly pushing yourself according to your own levels.

I do aqua aerobics and don't sweat. In fact, the pool is cold!

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I'm just doing fast walking and the trying to jog a bit. I'm VERY out of shape. Like I said, I like to swim, because that way I can move my body and I won't be sweaty. I want to go to a yoga class too, but I know I will be intimidated by all the tight ass ponytailed 25 year olds. Anyone know an yoga place that welcomes old (I'm 44) and fat (size 16) women?

I take yoga at Sun and Moon, and the most popular teacher, Amir, is quite overweight himself. I take Level 2 and most of the women are older. Even in Level 1 there were people in their 50s and 60s.