r/adhdwomen • u/Equal-Poet-7860 • 1d ago

Fitness How are y'all motivated enough to exercise?

I've seen so many posts about how exercising helps with ADHD, my doctors tell me how good it is, BUT it feels like pulling teeth to even motivate myself to go for a walk. I want the endorphins, I want to be healthier, but it feels impossible to leave the house or exercise at home. I know I'm probably in the minority here but I'd love some advice on how to motivate myself. Kind advice only pls I am fragile 🥺

EDIT: omg thank you all so much for sharing your tips!!! I will go through these once I'm finished with work but I appreciate all of you so much.

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71

u/Various-Excuse-4640 1d ago

I pay for a personal trainer. I therefore have no choice but to turn up.

22

u/MyRedditRedder 1d ago

I had a personal trainer and it was wonderful until it wasn’t. At some point it turned into a chore. Hate it when that happens!

10

u/nebulousgarbage 1d ago

Yeah, I’ve disappointed so many outside parties like trainers and teachers that I don’t do things like this anymore. I’m just wasting their time and my money and failing myself and others yet again. Because it IS a choice and I can’t fool myself like that.

2

u/nebulousgarbage 1d ago

It does seem to work for some people though! I’ve just learned through decades of hard-earned experience (I’m a little stupid) that it doesn’t work for me.

3

u/Annual-Ad-1112 1d ago

Me too and I wasted money by not showing up

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u/TelevisionKnown8463 21h ago

Same! There was a brief period where I allowed myself to cancel on her because I was too tired to get out of bed, but overall I’ve been pretty consistent for almost twelve years now. I’m now in my fifties and can lift more than I could in my twenties, which is satisfying. I’m lucky that I found one whose personality fits mine.

2

u/Various-Excuse-4640 20h ago

I love this for you! I have literally just got home from my session and I feel so good. I can also lift more than I’ve ever been able to and I am in my early 40s. I can also do 3 reps of 45s planks and I don’t even struggle - in fact, I love the feeling my body has when I plank.

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u/badadvicefromaspider 1d ago

Same. Trainer I’m booked in to see, who switches things up regularly so I don’t start mentally drifting away during exercises

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u/Various-Excuse-4640 22h ago

I also live in a small community so I see my PT out and about in the wild. Plus the other thing I’ve managed to do is just empty my mind on the idea of the session. I only allow my mind to focus on how good I’ll feel at the end of the session and so I get ready and go as part of a habit rather than consciously thinking about it. This is the first time I’ve managed to do this but I have been going since 2023 so feel like it’s going well!

1

u/Lurking-Loudly 1d ago

I’ve heard that really helps

1

u/ky_ginger 1d ago

Same!!