is it normal for someone to be afraid of exercising?

Question

i am way over weight. I try to get into a exercise program of my own, and find that i always pull muscles and end up very sore. I have joined exercise places and gyms, that helped a little but i still get very sore. I talked to my doctor, she gave me a diet and some easy exercises, which i have been doing and they help. I am ready to move on to other exercises that may make me sore again. The exercises that i do that make me sore are for like beginners and moderate. I know i will be sore at first, but i always end up in bed putting hot water bottles on muscles, and feel like i have lots of pulled aching muscles. Maybe its all in my head. Anyone have any suggestions about where i can get some exercises that won't cripple me up right away?

Answer 1

It's normal for people to avoid what hurts, and up until now, exercise for you has meant pain. Exercise is also tricky because it's very easy to be all gung-ho the first day and be pretty sore later. There's a difference, too, between delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and actually pulling a muscle--DOMS kicks in 24-72 hours later, whereas a pulled muscle makes itself known at the time of injury. DOMS, while not fun, goes away after a few days and actually goes away faster if you keep moving (low-impact light cardio at most, nothing crazy) and perhaps pop a few ibuprofen (or Tylenol, Advil, whatever works best for you). A pulled muscle involves more care and downtime.

Sounds like you're on the right track already! I don't know what kind of exercises you're doing, or which ones make you sore, so this may or may not help. My advice would be to do things that are easy on your joints (yoga, Pilates, water aerobics, elliptical trainer). Warm up and stretch before a workout and stretch out afterward, while the muscles are still wam. Whatever you do, (strength training, cardio, etc.) use good form and posture; that'll help you get the most out of whatever you're doing. Resist the urge to go all-out right away, take your time, and listen to your body.

I've got a website listed below that offers exercises as well. Take care and good luck!

Answer 2

I will tell you something that will change your life.
It will take commitment and vision.
You said that you are obese and sensitive to physical exertion.
When you are really ready to change your life, start by,
1 Buying a Journal
2 Instead of 3 big meals, try 5 to 6 small meals of nutritious food.
3 Do not avoid sweets and fast food, but eat it in small quantities. Life is too short to shortchange yourself.
4 Drink lots of water.
5 A new way to exercise.... start by doing 2 minutes that 1st day or 1 exercise very easily. 8 to 10 reps. Remember, you are not interested in results but finding peace with exercise. Always leave the gym wanting more.
Never create such a workload at the gym that it seems imposing like an unpleasant job.
Do this for a couple of days then add another 2 minutes.
Continue this pattern for a couple of months until it becomes what you are truly in need of, and that is a HABIT. You will be physically adjusting and at the same time creating a habit of exercise.
But THE MOST important part is the fact you will be altering your life, without pain and with no limitations on time creating a new you. You have the rest of your life,
Think longterm=VISION.
Imagine a smaller and more physically fit you and with time, patience and practice it WILL BE DONE!!!

Answer 3

I am a workoutaholic! And I have actually experienced an intense aerobic exercise that just melts fat away and you are NEVER sore! I have no idea why but its the truth. Its your basic cycling. Trust me, join a cycling class. Its hard, very hard! But if you really wanna loose weight and wake up in the morning not feeling like you just got in a fight, then this is the workout for you. And I am sure you already know this but just in case, make sure you always stretch after your workouts. Its very important. Another thing is that you need to stick with it. If you keep exercising as a regular routine the soreness tends to lessen, compared to working out out in hard bursts randomly. Good luck! And keep with it! You can do it!
For me, I love the soreness! Makes me feel like I accomplished alot!

Answer 4

forget about weight training for now. i would do 1 hour of walking 6-7 days a week for the next 30-45 days while you work on the diet and on developing a resistance training program. this way you will be getting daily exercise and you can start doing some stretching in preparation for the resistance training in weeks to come don't make the same mistakes that you made in the past

Answer 5

Well - honestly.. that burn and that tenderness the next day is PROOF that whatever you did.. WORKED! Its actually a good feeling once you get used to it.. I know it sounds silly but I went through the same thing.. I hated working out because of the soreness the next day - but honestly, it DOES get better and you WILL see results .. I would get a personal trainer at first.. so they can show you what you should do - then go from there. Good luck - you CAN workout - everyone feels sore at first! Take Care

Answer 6

yes but im only afraid cause I hate it when I go to the gym and I feel like everyone is watching me exercise and then I feel stupid and never want to go again. Maybe you should try water exercising with barbels it's not as strenuous and gives your muscles a much better work out.

Answer 7

Personal Trainer

Answer 8

Susan Powter has some excellent videos and diets that adjust to every person's situation. I'll look for a link and be back.

It is a fitness plan from the 1990's but it worked for me. She is very motivational and it also worked for my husband. I should get mine out again and get back on the fitness train. While I was on it, I lost about 40 pounds.. it melted like butter. But I went back to my old ways..... :-(

http://cgi.ebay.com/Susan-Powter-Stop-the-Insanity-program_W0QQitemZ290096048717QQcategoryZ36460QQcmdZViewItem

Answer 9

TELL you what you do. I WAS way over weight too.NOW i am smaller then i was .BUT START OUT SLOW. LIKE i went to the gym at the church and i only walked 1 lap. THAT went on for three weeks. THEN i felt to do 2 laps. EVERY one there was doing 50 laps i just did my 2 laps. START out small but build up. trust me you will be so happy you did .AND you will get stronger+ stronger every day. BEST WISHES star

Answer 10

Yes, there are a lot mof people who dread exercise but fave fun ways to slim down> for example hook up a stationary bike ut to a tv and you have to pedal to get tv.