"I find exercising unpleasant." – How to Commit to Exercise When You Find It Unpleasant?

Question: "I want to commit to exercising. The problem is, I find it unpleasant."

Answer:

How to commit to exercising

It doesn’t matter one bit if you find exercising unpleasant! – The only thing that’s relevant here is this: I want to commit to exercising.

I WANT TO!

That makes everything very clear.

You decide who you want to be among:

Those who deliver what they want to themselves

and soon celebrate,

or those who just "meh, blahhh" –

and soon cry.

***

That simple fact—that you want to commit to exercising—is already the clear answer and solution.

Now get going!

"But it’s unpleasant!"

You know what’s really unpleasant? Let me tell you:

Being someone who doesn’t live in alignment with their own desires.

Being someone who wants one thing but does another.

Being someone who wishes they could, yet repeatedly shows themselves they can’t.

Being someone who “can’t”—a person who has reinforced “I can’t” through their own choices so much that “I can’t” has become part of their identity.

The “boredom” of doing something aligned with your desire

versus the “boredom” of knowing you’re a person who doesn’t follow through?

**I want to commit to exercising.**

**Exercising is unpleasant.**

The negativity of the latter is overruled by the positivity of the former: I live the way I want, which leads to "I can," "I am capable," "I am proud of myself."

Exercise motivation tip: Choose your unpleasant

Here are your options:

1) Unpleasant exercise. Followed by the body of an athlete, which is a pleasant to live in and carry around every day.

2) Pleasant no-exercise-lifestyle. Followed by a non-athletic body, which brings many kinds of unpleasanties.

Instead of enabling and opening doors, it hinders and closes them.

Instead of feeling daily pride in it, you might even feel shame.

Instead of boosting confidence—the fuel and currency that makes anything happen in life—a non-athletic body drains the tank and empties the account.

3) Pleasant exercise.

Keep searching until you find it.

It exists for you, too.

“Nah, it’s not that important.”

Well.

You’ll see.

You’ll cry over the consequences of your own choices later.

“How could I have known!” 😭

Oh, how could you!

There was no information available.

No help was available.

No one ever talked about these things.

No one gave you the opportunity to figure it out.

Because you didn’t have ears to listen.

Nor eyes to see.

How could you have known!

We live with the consequences of our choices every single day.

Go where you want to end up.

Or don’t.

It’s your choice.

Exercise habit formation

If you’re exhausted or tired in your life, it’s almost impossible to implement new habits.

Starting a new exercise routine requires strong self-discipline at the beginning. When you’re tired, you simply can’t operate with the level of strength and determination needed to establish a new routine.

So the first step with your new lifestyle is sufficient rest and restoration.

Only then can you implement your plan.

You can compensate weaker self-discipline with stronger external support:

You could hire a personal trainer who ensures that you doing it or not doesn’t depend solely on you.

Now:

What is it that you want?

You know where to find help when needed.

Having a body you can be proud of is worth some effort!

Summary:

Question: How do I stay motivated to exercise when I don’t enjoy it?

Answer:
Staying motivated to exercise, even when you find it unpleasant, comes down to making a clear decision about what you want. If you truly want to commit to exercising, then the discomfort or boredom of exercise becomes secondary to your desire to live in alignment with your goals. The key is to focus on the bigger picture: achieving a body you can be proud of and feeling confident in yourself.

Here’s the simple truth:
The "unpleasantness" of exercise can either lead you to a healthier, stronger body that brings daily pride and joy, or it can lead to a life where you feel regret, frustration, and shame for not following through.

If you don’t enjoy exercise right now, that’s okay. Commit anyway. Find the type of exercise that works for you. It’s out there! Whether it’s a type of movement you enjoy or a routine that aligns with your lifestyle, don’t give up until you find it.

The most important thing is choosing your unpleasantness—choosing to face the discomfort of exercise now so you can enjoy the benefits later. The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll feel the rewards. So, get going, and remember: a body you can be proud of is always worth the effort.

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Benefits of Exercise

1. Improved Mental Health

- Reduces Stress and Anxiety: Regular physical activity triggers the release of endorphins, the brain's "feel-good" chemicals, which can help reduce stress, anxiety, and symptoms of depression. Studies show that aerobic exercises, like running or swimming, are especially effective in lowering anxiety levels.

-Boosts Mood: Exercise has been shown to increase the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood, reducing feelings of sadness and promoting happiness.

2. Enhanced Self-Confidence

- Improves Body Image: Regular exercise, especially strength training and cardiovascular exercise, can lead to physical changes that help individuals feel more positive about their appearance. Studies indicate that body satisfaction and self-esteem improve when people engage in consistent exercise routines.

- Sense of Achievement: Setting and achieving fitness goals builds self-esteem and confidence. Completing a challenging workout or hitting a new personal best in any form of exercise provides a sense of accomplishment and boosts confidence.

3. Increased Self-Efficacy

- Feeling of Control: Engaging in regular exercise empowers individuals by giving them a sense of control over their health and well-being. This improves feelings of competence and mastery, known as self-efficacy.

- Improves Resilience: Physical activity fosters resilience by teaching perseverance and the ability to push through challenges. People who exercise regularly are more likely to feel capable of overcoming obstacles in other areas of life as well.

4. Reduction in Symptoms of Depression

- Natural Antidepressant: Exercise is considered a natural remedy for mild to moderate depression. Studies have shown that regular physical activity can be just as effective as antidepressants in treating depression, especially when combined with therapy.

5.Better Sleep Quality

- Enhances Restful Sleep: Physical activity improves sleep patterns by helping individuals fall asleep faster and experience deeper, more restful sleep. Better sleep contributes directly to improved mood, energy levels, and cognitive function, which in turn supports self-confidence and resilience.

6. Improved Cognitive Function

- Sharper Mind: Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, which helps improve cognitive functions such as memory, attention, and problem-solving. This mental clarity can lead to greater confidence in decision-making and personal abilities.

- Prevents Cognitive Decline: Engaging in regular physical activity has been shown to protect against age-related cognitive decline and dementia, helping individuals maintain their mental sharpness throughout life.

7. Increased Energy and Vitality

- Combat Fatigue: Exercise increases energy levels by improving cardiovascular health and stamina. When you feel physically strong and capable, you're more likely to feel mentally energized, which contributes to improved motivation and self-belief.

8. Social and Emotional Well-being

- Improved Social Interaction: Exercise often involves social interaction, whether through group fitness classes, team sports, or simply exercising with a friend. Social connection is crucial for emotional health, reducing feelings of loneliness and increasing feelings of belonging and support.

- Boosts Self-Worth through Socialization: Engaging in social activities linked to exercise, such as team sports or group fitness sessions, can provide positive reinforcement, improving one's self-worth and feeling of belonging.

9. Increased Motivation and Goal-Oriented Behavior

- Builds Discipline and Routine: Regular exercise helps cultivate self-discipline and helps individuals stay committed to their long-term goals. Achieving fitness milestones fosters a sense of capability, motivating individuals to set and achieve other personal and professional goals.

10. Helps with Stress Management and Emotional Regulation

- Physical and Emotional Balance: Exercise regulates the body's stress-response system, helping to manage emotional reactivity and improve overall emotional stability. This ability to better handle stress is vital for maintaining high self-confidence and a positive self-image.

TULOSSA: Jumppakirjasto: Treenikirjasto, josta saat motivaation sekä ohjelmat treeniisi – kuntosalin ulkopuolella, kotona, puistossa ja mökillä!