During the worst of last year when my gym was closed, I signed up for StepBet to make myself accountable to walk every day. I committed to taking one picture of something beautiful while I walked and posting it to Facebook every day. And I listened to a ton of podcasts. I also walked weekly with a friend, found the path to Starbucks and walked in circles around the block.

Now I’m back at the gym and taking strength training classes, plus walking and elliptical. I have music I love to work out to and I really do look forward to seeing my gym pals.

Can you find a friend and workout together, or sign up for a class together, or even just meet up early on a weekend morning and go on a long walk? That helps me.

The peloton app has great strength training programs and monthly membership is pretty reasonable when you don’t have bike/tread. I’d start with a yoga mat, 2 lb, 5 lb, 8 lb weights and get the app.

The only thing I really like is my kids wii with just dance songs from the 80s and 90s. Those are fun, not too hard and if you really get into them, a good workout.

The best workout if you hate working out is a short one. Seriously! even shoot for 10 to 15 mins but MAKE yourself do 5x/week at least. I work and have two little kids, I’m exhausted and most nights it’s too much to envision a full workout but I go to the basement as soon as I put them to bed each night and just do a really quick 20 min set of weights or cardio. If I had to psych myself up to do more than that I guarantee you I’d skip it altogether but I can manage this much. It’s been enough to improve my health, BP, sleep, energy levels, etc. and some nights I get a burst of energy and do more but I don’t put pressure on myself to.

Chloe Ting’s youtube workouts are so good and don’t require anything.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I also agree with the class approach if you hate working out. A 30 min workout at home is too easy to skip. Yes it will take more time but if you like it, that is worth the extra time and money.

Consider a boxing class like Title Boxing. Yes, it is a tough workout if you are not in shape, but working out your frustration on a bag is really fun. You can go at your own pace, but if you go full out, burns tons of calories and is fun.

I think at this point it's up to OP to figure out if she's the type of person who will skip 30 minute home workouts or if driving to a gym is a non-starter. I'm the former - once I commit money to a gym membership I feel obligated to go. I work harder in a class with people and music than I do in my own basement.

Definitely. It's easy to slack at home when there isn't someone yelling at you to do one more and give it everything you've got. You'll be pushed more in a class than you ever would on your own. Plus you're more or less trapped so you finish the class once you're there. The old gym saying of "getting there is the hardest part" is mostly true.

Anonymous wrote:I also agree with the class approach if you hate working out. A 30 min workout at home is too easy to skip. Yes it will take more time but if you like it, that is worth the extra time and money.

Consider a boxing class like Title Boxing. Yes, it is a tough workout if you are not in shape, but working out your frustration on a bag is really fun. You can go at your own pace, but if you go full out, burns tons of calories and is fun.

I think at this point it's up to OP to figure out if she's the type of person who will skip 30 minute home workouts or if driving to a gym is a non-starter. I'm the former - once I commit money to a gym membership I feel obligated to go. I work harder in a class with people and music than I do in my own basement.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Elliptical while watching TV. Classes are really hard and 30 minutes means 45 with driving and waiting.

This is a recipe for failure.

For someone that hates working out, the elliptical in front of the TV holds no accountability. Way too easy to skip. Way too easy to cut the workout short. And way to easy to half-ass the effort.

Sign up for a class. You'll be accountable to your pocketbook (since you already paid), to the instructor (who will ask 'where were you?' if you skip), and to your new friends (who you may actually end up looking forward to seeing and chatting with pre & post class).

Honestly, you either want to get fit or you don't. But don't pretend that a single piece of equipment in the corner of your family room is going to get you the results you want

Ha. My peloton fits that description entirely and has entirely changed my whole body!

I'm not arguing for spin cause you said you didn't like it OP, but just saying PP's mindset is not totally right.

Really you need to find something you like. I like spinning, so I like the peloton so I do it. Try a bunch of different classes, orange theory, crossfit, barre, pilates, zumba, whatever, try a bunch of things. Keep trying until you find something you don't hate. Then make a schedule and commit to it. Don't try to fit it in or only do it when you have time, make a schedule on Sunday, commit to it, and do it. And do that for two months. I would bet at the end of those two months you will have started a habit and it will have become easier, more enjoyable, and skipping it will make you feel gross.

So basically, find something you like or at least that you do not hate and create a habit by forcing yourself to do it on a hard schedule for 2-3 months.

I ride my bike for short errands in my neighborhood to get my exercise in. It's great and it gets you in shape fast. I end up riding my bike at least once a day for about 45 mins.

Downdog's HIIT app worked for me.

I was never a workout class person, but when my gym closed for the pandemic I just went on YouTube and tried tons of different workouts--yoga, HIIT, barre, weights, pilates, bodyweight strength, even dancing. Most of it was stuff I assumed I would hate, but through trial and error I found stuff I loved better than what I did pre-pandemic--and now I workout twice as much as before. OP, you just have to try a bunch of stuff and see what sticks with you and feels productive (and hopefully fun).

Anonymous wrote:I love Caroline Girvan's workouts on Youtube. Most require dumbbells, but some are just bodyweight. And they're free!

+1

Anonymous wrote:The best workout is the one you do. Find something you like doing, whether walking or dancing or something and do that. Slowly incorporate things into it that build muscles by using weights, bands, or your body weight.

+1. Absolutely. And as you get fitter, the appeal of doing more things will expand. It doesn't matter how slow you start, it's about building a habit.

I was not a fan of working out. Started using obe fitness. Tons of variety! They have express classes (10 mins) and most classes are 28 mins. There are some 45-60 min classes. They even have kid friendly short workouts to do with your kids! I like it cause they are quick and enjoyable. I totally recommend!