The Worst Reasons to Work Out

I completely agree with this article. Superficial reasons have never really motivated me to keep up a long-term workout routine. Knowing the positive feelings that it brings me and how it affects my health is what keeps me going.

I used to work out to look good, but if that was my true motivation, I would not have stopped exercising and let myself gain weight. It wasn't until I noticed how it improved my posture (I have scoliosis) and had less back pain that I knew how important it was for me to continue working out.

Give yourself positive reasons to exercise instead of negative ones that only motivate you by instilling fear within you. You will find that you look forward to your workouts instead of feeling like it's a chore that you have to get over with.

Pick an activity that you actually enjoy doing. Don't go running just because someone tells you it works for them. Ask yourself....what works for me? Pick an activity you love to do and will look forward to doing it. If you don't enjoy it, you will not stick with it! - 3/16/2013 2:15:44 PM

This was the least motivating article I could read after waking up early on a Saturday morning for once. Every reason is a good reason to better yourself. - 3/16/2013 7:57:29 AM

OMG! Those are primarily the reasons why I exersize! I'd only add one more.....to maintain some semblence of sanity. - 3/16/2013 6:44:25 AM

Funny - I do use almost all those excuses/reasons. About the only one I don't use is the one about 'burning off Big Macs" ... though I might exercise, or at least walk, after eating something greasy and heavy just to help digest it. But it is one of my go-to choices whenever I need to make a change in the now. - 3/16/2013 6:01:13 AM

If people are exercising for the "wrong reasons", at least they are exercising! I agree that it needs to be done for yourself and for your health, but it is also nice to do it for other people too. If you are married, I know your spouse would like a fit body to look at rather than a butterball. (Just saying. BTW, I'm a little on the round side too, so don't think I'm being judgmental.) - 8/9/2012 11:01:58 PM

Yikes. Life is short, people. If you really don't enjoy the exercise, it's the wrong exercise ... Try something else. Try just incorporating more movement into things you already do rather than torturing yourself with official "workouts" that you hate. For instance, you can set up a computer with an extra keyboard/trackbal
l or mouse so you can stand sometimes while reading, and maybe get a little walk in place exercise at the same time. My monitor is easy to adjust upward, just pull it up and pull it down. I find that it helps to put my extra trackball on top of a quart container for comfort standing. I do this while proofreading my work, and it really helps me keep focused and more accurate (more oxygen to the brain, maybe...). I sit down whenever I want and while standing, keep moving when I want and just stand when I want. I also enjoy walking in place (especially a simple side step) while reading or talking on my cell phone or watching tv or playing with a cat. The neighbors probably think I'm nuts because I do this even while we're outside (my pruning technique is to pull off a long piece of greenery to waggle at the cats...) Just standing to talk on a phone or read etc. (if you're afraid coworkers will send for the strait jacket if they see you bouncing around) will burn more calories in a day and make a sedentary job much easier on the body. Look for massage sandals or shoe inserts - they really help the circulation. I looked at a Leslie Sansone video to get more ideas for more steps (Walk at Home series, there's a free demo available at various web sites) but mainly just wing it. If I feel the need for more of a boost, I'll use one of her mp3's - but as an enjoyable activity to boost up my energy, not something I must do. I also like to use a 6" step thing sometimes as the closest thing to a "workout" I'm ever gonna get.... it does get my heart rate up and feels good. I tried out the idea on the staircase, but I really like to do it in front of the tv, just as long as I want (usually about 15 minutes). I do have an old Power Rider... - 7/8/2012 3:52:53 PM

I think one reason, that absolutely should be there, is that people exercise because they are trying to impress a girl or a guy. They're getting 'skinny' and 'buff' so that the person they like would notice them.

Better reason? People should do it for themselves. Not others. You want to be better because you want to. Not because somebody should pay attention to you. You shouldn't change for others. - 7/4/2012 9:20:34 AM

Mischelle40--- You nailed it for me! I HATE exercise and no one can brainwash me into thinking that it is anything even close to "fun"---- I exercise just cuz I should! - 7/3/2012 2:09:44 PM

While the article sounds good, there are truly some of us that cannot get our mind around the idea that exercise can be considered anything BUT torture. In all my attempts to exercise on a regular basis, never once have I experienced a "runner's high" or even felt remotely good after exercising. Also, many people say the exercise makes them not hungry afterwards and ready to go do something active. After my workouts, I want to eat something and go right to sleep. The advise I have been given to find something you like to do and do that would be great if I could find it. I walk only to get from point A to point B. No fun in that. I don't like sports (could have something to do that when I was young and really a tiny person, I was always picked last for games, so have no desire to play them now). I hate bicycling, and have no coordination for the floor exercises like Zumba. They just embarrass me as everyone else can do the steps and I just stand there trying to figure out how they managed to turn in that last step. No fun in that. Furthermore, I rarely sweat during exercise, so I overheat very quickly. This makes me feel my heart beating in my face and neck as I exercise. Very unpleasant.

The only time I enjoy "exercise" is dancing with my husband every couple of weeks. I won't dance anywhere else or with anyone else. Can't afford to do that more often.

My point is, those of us who truly hate to be outdoors or to exercise will always think of it as punishment or torture. No way to change that. We just do it because we have to if we want to lose weight. Please don't tell us that it is all in the mind, because it really isn't. - 7/3/2012 10:52:22 AM

GREAT Article! WELL NEEDED TODAY i HAVE GUESTS FROM OUT OF TOWN AND WANT TO LOOK GOOD BUT WAS GONNA SKIP MY ROUTINE! OOPS noT A CHANCE now! - 7/3/2012 9:21:22 AM

I fit this article! I recently realized that I view exercise (with the exception of yoga) as punishment for being heavier than I'd like. I am working on changing that attitude, but it's tough. I did find a floor aerobics class with people I enjoy being with...that's a start.
- 7/3/2012 9:12:22 AM

My biggest reason for working out is so I won't become my mother ... when she got older and had arthritis she pretty much quit doing any sort of exercise because it hurt. She pretty much immobilized herself and eventually could hardly walk or even get out of bed. I'm determined to approach old age and arthritis another way and so far it's working out just as I'd hoped ... I'm 65 and I walk between 2 and 5 miles daily, in addition to biking and swimming. I have no money to leave anybody so I decided the only thing I can leave my kid is trying to stay as healthy and mobile as possible for as long as possible. May be a weird reason but it works for me and I exercise five or six days every week. - 6/19/2012 11:13:10 AM

Hmmm, were you talking to me? Yes I do tend to lean on the negative side, but I have noticed that I am trying to veer away from that. I know that I need to improve my health and yes, I don't like how I look but I do want to feel better and not have the back pain all the time. It is sort of a double edged thing going on...yeah I start negative but when I finish I feel positive. Go fig! - 6/19/2012 9:56:24 AM

I knew I might fit this article perfectly...and I do. It's really hard for me to look at exercise in those postive terms...but I'm trying! Thanks for the reminder! - 5/23/2011 3:35:52 PM

Eye opening and a good foundation for staying motivated for the long-term. - 3/18/2011 11:42:23 AM