motivation required to start exercising...

Queens Pawn

thanks for suggesting T25 - aerobic classes are not for me.

cheers - on reflection am a bit depressed, lacking motivation. withdrawn socially.

Since i posted that I've started on the airbike most days as soon as I wake up at 6am. I do it in front of 90"  screen showing 30 min youtube videos of people with better lives cycling through exotic locations. Next step will be to get out there... when I'm ready.

shodan

Just get it done, then it's done.
Get your workout clothes out and ready the day before, stick an alarm reminder on your phone, watch a bunch of exercise bids on YouTube. I prefer AthleanX videos..

clc.sheff

Bit of a late reply but it went great thanks. It was the Hathersage hilly: 420m swim, 21 km bike and 6km run. I managed just under 1 hr 51 which considering the hills and me being 3 st overweight was way beyond my expectation.
I was going to ask for some tips but the only thread I could find was for an Ironman !

clc.sheff

The triathalon I did had people of all abilities, sizes and ages.

They give you a starting time based on the time you give them for how long it takes you to swim 420m so you set off with people of a similar ability. The atmosphere was fantastic and there was constant support and encouragement from the other competitors, marshals and crowds.

I did the bike section on an old cheap decathalon racer with flat pedals and trainers on and saw a good few people on hybrids and mountain bikes and even a Boris type bike complete with shopping basket.

I appreciate you might not feel up to it right now but dont think you need to be super fit to do one.

PSM1

Could have asked in there as it is the same advice as such no matter the distance.

ben16v

audiobooks changed my running - used to loathe it but now look forward to the next chapter

sim12

The worst bit of all exercise is them first 2 months, generally most give up in the first 6 weeks, thus mainly because of aches and pains, and an overall lack of change in  physical appearance, most find months 3 - 5 the most rewarding, the pounds drop off the body changes and the those feel good factors start happening.... so just hang in there Queens the gains will come

clc.sheff

I will do at some point. I've totally got the bug now. Cant wait until next year to see how much I can better my time by.

PSM1

It can get addictive and then it gets expensive since you suddenly need to buy a new bike, wheels etc.....

WhyAyeMan

I'm pretty lazy and unmotivated at the best of times. What works for me is weightlifting. I have a rack, bench and barbell and weights and a weight tree. It doesn't really take up too much room and was relatively inexpensive to buy - get the stuff second hand if you can and you shouldn't lose any money if you decide you don't like it.

I do 1 set of 8-12 reps per exercise in a full body compound routine. You can get through the whole routine in about 20 minutes so, which is a good length as if you're anything like me, makes it easier to adhere to as the thought of spending an hour often puts me off. I still get a good workout even though some bodybuilders would have you doing 3 or more sets (very time consuming and law of dismissing returns sets in quickly).

Each week you add a small amount of weight (say 1kg). This keeps it from becoming too difficult too fast and makes it safer. You won't be able to keep adding that weight forever but it gives you some goals and it's satisfying seeing the changes to your body.

In terms of cardio I don't like running so I just walk. I walk to and from walk 3.5 miles per day, and then some more on lunch time. Generally between 10k and 13k steps per day. If your walks have a purpose then you aren't really taking any more of your day to do exercise.

If you prefer to run, then just do a relatively short interval style running. You can do sessions as short as 6 minutes and get a good workout.

In my experience, for me, it's the thought of exercise taking a lot of time that kills my motivation, and if I think I can get it out of the way quickly and still get results then I will do it. I am definitely of the belief that exercise doesn't have to be long, drawn out and soul destroying. Some will probably sneer at this advice but not everyone is naturally drawn to exercise so I think such a routine is worth a try in your situation OP.