How do you find the motivation to exercise when you do not like it?

Question

I've never liked practicing any kind of sports, even though I used to play futsal from 5 to 14 years old, and I've always been fat, but some months ago I reached the highest weight I've ever been ( 133 kg ) , around 43 - 45 kg over my correct weight and I decided to join the gym and starting dieting to manage to buy pants again. So far I've lost 22 kg, but my motivation has never raised, actually it has been lowered down more and more because I find things that do not involve math or science boring and I hate not being allowed to eat what I want. 

The real reason is I have no interest to keep lowering down my weight because my old clothes fit me again, but at the same time I am disgusted (as others are and as I've always been) by my body. How do I find the will to continue what I'm doing?

Levin · Accepted Answer

I mean, yeah, process based exercises, ie run on a treadmill for 20 minutes, like you're some kind of machine, are boring. You need to find something that piques your interest. I do kung fu. There's a lot of breadth in that to keep my insatiable mind occupied. I'm learning probably 8 styles at once, to differing degrees.

Also, we have to be rational about it, since you're a rational being. Never in human history has the human organism been sat behind a desk for 8 plus hours a day, staying almost static (torture), doing heavy mind based work. It creates an imbalanced and seriously enfeebled organism. That will feed through to your consciousness, ie how you feel on a moment to moment basis. If you're ache, dull, sore, gassy, well, it's not pleasant. It's not pleasant to live in such a body... and that's before the real fun starts (ie the spiral into disease and reliance on Western techno-healthcare).

The problem seems to be, you're going down the diet route. Diets are idiotic. They don't get to the route of the problem. It sounds like you're trying to blot out emotional pain (how you feel about yourself, and possibly the hurtful things other people have said about you), with food. I can still eat foods that I enjoy on a day to day basis, I just don't crazy with the portions or the proportions, because I observe myself emotionally, so I know that the next slice of cake will be to fill a void. You're not going to want to continue anything that is too punishing into the mid to long term. You can't continue with this feeling disgusted with yourself. In a perverse sort of way, it may have been the motivator. But I think, to move forward, you're going to have to find ways to think more positively about yourself and your endeavours.

astrOnaut01 · Accepted Answer

It's not motivation you need, it is discipline. You have to exercise even when you don't feel like it.

Hidden_P · Accepted Answer

Feel ya brother. I've always been the exact same as you.

Honestly, after a bit I found the gym more enjoyable than exercising say at school because I could incorporate things I liked into it. Music is a big part of my life and being able to listen to music of my choice helped. I could exercise to the beat. I also sometimes took a book with me so while I was cycling I could read.
Have you thought about downloading a maths based game onto your phone? Then you could play it while you exercise and it will take your mind off it? I'm sure there are maths and exercise apps out there, like run to get this answer or something lol.

Dieting is the hardest part for me.

runchickenrun · Accepted Answer

I put a cake in front of the treadmill and try to chase it.

mattty · Answer

You simply have to find some activity that you enjoy. If you dont enjoy it it won't last. There are many types of sports and activities so pick the one you enjoy the most. I personally love exercising but I hate runing. You have to be consistent though. You might not enjoy it at first because you're not good at it but once you get better and get resulsts you will eventually enjoy it more. Im personally very active and I also eat what I want. Thats the beauty of it that if you're very active you can eat what you want without getting fat. Also you find nonscience stuff boring? Maybe try some exercise science books or even go to exercise science classes. You might learn something science based about exercise that you can then apply to real world.

meatballs21 · Answer

Wanting to like what you see in the mirror can be a great motivation.

If not, you need to find an activity that you do enjoy. For example: I get bored on a stationary bike (even if there's a good movie or TV show on the gym's screens) and you sweat to much to use your phone or game system for long. Riding a bike outside, though, I find extremely fun and stimulating, and I can and will do it all day long.

As for food: don't completely deny yourself your favourite stuff. Just don't eat it as often.

Anonymous · Answer

You can't ask the internet how to motivate yourself. None of us know you, what kind of life you live, or what you like to do. The best advice anyone can give you is to find a physical activity that you like doing. There has to be at least one thing. If you like walks, then take more walks for longer durations. If you like swimming then go to a pool. The amazing thing is there are a ton of options so you're bound to find something. Personally I was always a chubby kid until I took up cycling. I can do that for hours and not even think about eating cause I just enjoy the freedom of being outside, the fresh air, and it's much more fun than walking. Find something you like. It doesn't even have to be a sport

Jan1ssary_ · Answer

Dude u already lost 22 KGs it means you are doing it correctly and it means you will be succes one day if you go like this. Do it for being perfect and the only one, make other guys go jelly on ya while chicks are staring at you. I used to be a fat kid aswell and I was becoming mad as f*ck when I couldn't eat food whenever I want. It was hard for me in the beginning but few months later I got used to it and learned to hold my throat :D U need some time, you are young and u deserve to be liked by chicks. Dont ruin your life with being obese. Dont let people laugh at you behind when your ass is bouncing.

https://youtu.be/5-sfG8BV8wU

Just do it for be the best, you are not ordinary person.

EmpatheticLady · Answer

You need to find some exercise that you're interested in instead of just going to the gym and following the same old routine. Wanting to look better and not be disgusted by yourself is a good motivator, too, typically. It's great that you've been able to fit back into your old clothes. Think of how good you could look if you continue to work out and eat right.

oldanddecrepid · Answer

Find something that you enjoy doing that keeps you active. For me it is kayaking, the lifts, the carrying is a good work out, and then paddling hard gets your blood flowing. I get to be outside and see some new shoreline.

Other things that motivate me are the results. You don't see anything for at least a week but then when you finally do see results it makes you want to maintain the routine or do even more.

Ratiocinative · Answer

The same way you get motivated to do anything. Keep doing it even when you don't feel like it. You are motivated to do something when you are excited about, and you are excited about it when you make progress, and you make progress when you do it consistently.

lightbulb27 · Answer

is it activity that you don't like or specific activities.

Try doing something you love to do and enjoy, then it is its own reward. I like to workout because it feels good afterwards and life is better.
For example, if you like dogs, get a dog and take them on long hikes. Try bicycle riding... great wayt o see new places and travel and exercise as well.

Set goals you want to attain so you have something to strive for. Make it fun. If can find workout friends that helps.

jaxxten · Answer

There are not that many better things to do with your time. Make it part of your everyday routine. It may feel like work after a while, but just like 'work', you need to do it to live your normal life. without work, no pay, no play, without excercise, no fit, no health.

BettyWhite · Answer

I think you need to find a physical activity that you enjoy. It took me a while to find an exercise routine I could do daily and not get bored with it. Once you find something you like, maybe watch Netflix or something. 30 minute shows to keep your mind watching while you keep moving. Then bump it up to two episodes, after you've worked out slowly first and so on.

I have to exercise for my health, so I just do it.

shiller · Answer

Focus on your goals. If you don't want to go to the gym one day that's okay you just go another day. It might help to vary your workout too. Maybe you just have to find ways to incorporate exercise into your life ie instead of taking the lift use the stairs, or even sprint up them or even when you go shopping, carry the things back. As for dieting, you should allow yourself a day off a week.

LifeChoices · Answer

I don't have that problem since i love the pain when i lift weights. However if you do have that problem. Try finding something you can use as motivation perhaps on a daily or weekly basis. A picture of a idol, or reading up on their biography. When i found my passion for lifting it was due to background research on a idol bodybuilder of mine

Entruder · Answer

The gains. I was a skinny kid in freshman/sophomore year of high school but I've been lifting since junior year and I put on a ton of muscle. It took a long while to see results and it was tough but it's so worth it. Feels good so you just keep on doing it, don't give up bro, we all start from somewhere

AmericanBoy · Answer

Maybe find something you do enjoy to do while you exercise? For instance I'm into photography so I decide to go out and walk a mile or 2 I take my camera and look for things to photograph. Or or maybe find a friend to go bike riding with? Things are always more fun when you don't do them alone.

NedfromtheNed · Answer

No one enjoys doing it.  It is just a matter of time before you become numb to it.  It is your imperfect duty to do it, therefore you must continue.

Zanecyber · Answer

i played football in highschool and the fact that i got rocked by the older kids motivation me to workout really hard and so i could get more play time, and ever since then I've kept working out its just a regular thing now i dont even think about that much i just do it

cmale123 · Answer

Go out have fun, riding a bike is nice excercise. Go on a date with a girl. Go to parks. It pretty fun to do that

BeerFarts · Answer

I've been doing it for about 15 years so it's become a habit at this point. No motivation is needed on my part.

Decentguy · Answer

my leg toe is fractured but im still gonna go to gym today. just take any mp3 player or fill your mobile with songs then go to the gym, songs that motivates you and then workout while listening to those songs

Prof_Don · Answer

Explore other gyms, to find different types of ways to workout and different sports to play.  ANY gym-goer can tell you, they change their routine every few weeks to keep things fresh

Rissyanne · Answer

I just got back from the gym. I do the elliptical. The reason I exercise is mainly just because of my health.

MrMafioso · Answer

To me, it is enough that seeing my body thin and weakly to exercise. In my mind, I tell myself negative things like do you really wanna be a wimp? Or do you want to be hot like models in a mag? LOL. I then exercise as an answer.

Anonymous · Answer

Find something you like to do and instead of thinking of it as excersize just have fun , or set your self a goal , for instance join a sports group and make it your mission to be better than everyone else by keeping up with them and practising

JCPD14 · Answer

Easy...

reixun · Answer

Just for aesthetics, I like a flat stomach and toned legs.

HarvestMoon · Answer

Just do it. Don't think, don't question, just do it. Think of it as a must to maintain your life like breathing, eating, drinking water, etc.

Anonymous · Answer

Find s work out buddy. It's always more fun and more motivating when you have someone else to work out with

ToruMatsuda · Answer

I take my shirt off and look in the mirror, seeing all that flab annoys me and that always motivates me😂😂😂

Alex88F · Answer

everyday you say you dont wanna work out, somebody is fucking the hell out of your crush

Anonymous · Answer

You need to realize that if you dont exercise then you will most likely start to feel like crap. You'll be tired all the time and emotionally sad.

Anonymous · Answer

Because I want to be an MMA world champion one day. And I will be. I guarantee.

Miezko · Answer

I think about my reasons for working out.

Anonymous · Answer

I listen to audiobooks.

coatzs · Answer

stop being a lazy shit.

Anonymous · Answer

I look at other people's before and after pics

leafy987 · Answer

U just do it.

Polocrew · Answer

NFL lol

How do you find the motivation to exercise when you do not like it?

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How do you motivate yourself to exercise?

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