alt Hacker News> Exercise doesn't always work like this. Yes you'll have bad days, but you'll find yourself more energised most of the time and mentally more at peace.
Is there anything that will convince you this isn't true for all (perhaps not even most) people?
The right type of exercise matters. I've often gone on bouts of cardio on a treadmill for months at a time (multiple times a week - at least 30 minutes each session). It never ceased to suck.
I can do a hike and never feel bad. But a treadmill or cycling device? Always feels bad. I hope it benefits me in the long run, because it definitely reduces the quality of life on days I do it.
My only real hope is to find some other kind of cardio that doesn't annoy as much.
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Exactly. It always seems weird to me that "going to the gym" is virtually synonymous with getting some exercise when the gym is the most boring place to do exercise.
BeatSaber maybe? Something addictive is better even if it is less effective. I also do FitXR, which is more effective, but requires more of a grinding mindset so I often mix it with BeatSaber, which doesn’t grind.
I would experiment at least, there are things. A good instructor in an aerobics class can also help, although I find that too hit or miss to be sustainable.
Can you watch anything fun while doing your cardio? I look forward to working out because that's when I catch up on my Netflix shows. There's no way I'd stick with it if I didn't have something to take my mind off the grind.
I've been a runner of some sort most of my life. Raced other kids around the block when I was 6. Sprints back and forth across the field in middle school. Four years of cross-country and track in high school. Two state championships. Joined the Army as an adult. Hit a snag with spine injuries in my mid to late 30s, but back on the wagon and running 50+ miles per week in my mid 40s.
At every point in my life, including right now, I would agree 100% that a treadmill and stationary bike suck and I would not do those.