Hi all, I just have a really curious question....Why don't some healthy people like to or don't want to exercise? One of my coworkers commented on another coworker loosing weight without exercising by going on a certain diet. Then continued to say that they would like to go on that diet, so they don't have to exercise. I'm really confused. Doesn't she understand that exercise makes your body strong so that you can keep your muscle tone longer,so that you live healthier, have a better metabolism, and remain active longer in life? I just don't get it. Exercise is fun. Maybe I'm still too young to understand...I'm 41. :bouncing: Oh, by the way...This coworker that wants to go on another coworker's diet is always sick.

I imagine there may be some people who have good reasons, but most people I know that truly dislike exercise, it's laziness. They don't want to get sweaty and even moreso they don't want to be sore the next day. That's the response I get from everyone I ask.

I exercise probably 2 or 3 times a week and I always complain about hating it. :) I'm not sure why. I think the bottom line is I'm just lazy. I know I need to do it so I just do it. I think another reason why is because all my friends are obsessed with exercise and constantly say "You're not doing enough but you're still so skinny." So they're always saying that I shouldn't look as fit as I do because I don't do enough. I guess that makes me think, "Well, if I look fine, then why do so much." The only reason I do something is to stay healthy.

Like Jimmy says, they don't want to get sweaty and/or sore - sweat is natural and healthy, the soreness usually comes because they try to do too much when they are not in condition, and don't warm up and cool down properly. Lazy too, I know couch potatoes who would rather sit and eat in front of tv than go outside and even take a nice walk. Or they feel self-conscious because they are not in shape already, and feel everybody is "looking at" them, when the truth is, most people couldn't care less about how others look. Me, I'm a swimming addict because I just LOVE it - swim 5X a week and if I miss more than a day or so I feel antsy. (and I'm 67)

I would have to say it is pure laziness. Alot of people try to do things the easy way, but when it really comes down to it that plan doesn't work! I have tried skipping around on my workout routine on days I may not feel up to working out, but it hurts me in the long run! It's too bad she is always sick! It's obvious her immune system is on the fritz, but only if she would realize the exercising increases your immune system. I am hardly ever sick. If I do get sick its like once a year with a slight cold. Eating right helps as well, but in order to really shed the weight you must exercise. I can see first going on a diet only if the person is extremely over weight, but even after he/she has lost a certain amount should start to exercise. I have a friend that is just dieting and I keep telling her she needs to workout. You can't convience a lazy person. Dieting can only shape your body so much, but with exercise there is obvious results!

I guess that there will always be lazy people, but I think it is unfair to classify everyone who doesn't like to exercise as lazy or unmotivated. I think there are a lot of people that don't consider cleaning their house or walking the dog, or playing with the kids as exercise. Sometimes, I believe, people think of others who "exercise" and see those who spend 2+ hours a day in the gym, and work out everyday. This makes people think "I hate to exercise" when, in reality, they just like a less-strenuous relaxing kind of exercise. I know this is how I am but I am lucky, I want to do it, so I force myself but I would choose yoga or walking on a treadmill over running and weightlifting any day (and if I did run, I would be saying "i hate this"). :)

just my $.02 :)

I had two more thoughts to why people don't exercise. One is from my personal experience. I have plenty of people that like to think of it almost as play time. You know those people that go to work, go to school, study, eat, sleep, but somehow working out is almost like a luxury. Its a hobby and other people have their hobbies. They don't consider it a lifestyle.

Second, and I defend these people. They just have too much on their plate. Wake up early, go to work, pay the bills, take the kids to school, run around with their heads cut off. I find myself waking up at 6 am and getting back from work at 5 pm. Go to bed at 12am to try and fit in everything. You get worn down fast. So this one is kind of between 1. not having very much time. 2. and the time you do have, you'd like to rest! I agree exercise is good but sometimes you just gotta sleep or take it easy.

I know someone will come on and say "well I work 70 hrs a week and blah blah blah..." but remember that's you. There are people that can take more than others. I need at least 8 hours to function right, I know people that go all week long with 7, and it doesnt bother them.

Gosh I WISH I loved to exercise and thought it was fun! And sometimes I do have fun with it, but I've never regularly exercised for more than a couple months at a time. I always get "too busy" and "don't have enough time". And, well, the truth is I probably do have enough time, yet I'd rather spend it other ways. Or I'm just lazy...

Do I really have enough time though?? I work SO much, and I come home late and I'm just drained, so I either try to relax in front of the TV or computer or do artwork or freelance work that piles up. I don't even have enough energy to cook anything for dinner. Of course I've never really learned how to cook (still fairly young at 24). My life just seems so stressful and chaotic right now and I keep thinking one day soon it's all going to get organized and put-together and I'll exercise and cook and have a clean house...and a nice body again!

I've had a desk job since college and need to lose 10 or 12 pounds. I probably don't look too bad in clothes - but underneath it's cellulite city! I really want to get in shape, not just for a nice, toned body but to be healthy. The thing is that exercise takes more time than it seems. Because if you do it somewhere other than home, you have to account for driving time, and usually dressing and redressing, stretching, and well... you get sweaty so it's inconvenient to do it when you have other things going on, and.....well, I stay so busy and get so little sleep that I really only shower every other day, because it takes me awhile to get ready, and it's not a big deal now because I don't do anything to get dirty/smelly :). But if/when I start exercising, it will take even more time because I know I'll need to shower every day - if not twice a day! Sorry if I sound whiney. This probably sounds stupid. I know I need to exercise, and eat right too - the thing is I love reading about nutrition and exercise - I just don't practice it!

I know there are simple improvements I can make like just taking walks every day. I've tried to do this, but my husband won't go with me because he thinks walking is pointless and a waste of time. He likes to run and wants me to run with him. The problem is, I HATE running - part of it is because it bothers my knees and I'd rather have the low-impact of walking. But mainly, it's because I just can't handle it.

After just seconds of running, my throat will start BURNING so bad. Is this normal?? I've wondered if it's just because I'm out of shape, but I remember it happening all my life. I actually was pretty good at running Track in school, but I guess I just thought it was normal and dealt with it. But now I've asked other people and it doesn't happen to them. My husband thinks when I give up running with him, that it's my legs, or something else in my body that's burning - HA! - I wish! No, my body will feel fine, it's just my THROAT!! I actually love my muscles to burn and feel sore the next day - that's when I know I've used them! :)

So anyone else experience this while running? It's a burning sensation, and also feels like my throat's swelling, like I'm getting sick, and sometimes I get that pukey taste. I think it happens whether I'm inside or outside, no matter what the weather. Actually I think it may not be as bad inside, on a treadmill. I doesn't seem like other activities do this to me, just running, and I think jump roping too - something about the up and down motion of both of them? Or the fast activity? I really am not confident I breathe correctly or normally, actually that's how I found this forum - researching air hunger. I go through phases where I feel like I can never get a deep enough breath...

Well, sorry so long, thanks for reading this and bless you all and good luck!

I've found that anyone who uses the "I don't have time for exercise" excuse always seems to say something like "When I do have time I want to veg in front of the TV." So why not combine the two? Either join a gym where they have TVs and do your cardio while watching, or buy a set of dumbbells and do some lifting in front of the tube.