Last night at the very end of Sari Solden’s Teleseminar through ADDClasses.com somebody submitted a question that we did not have time to answer. So I have decided to try and answer it here on my blog.
I know I NEED to exercise – how do I overcome the resistance to commit the time to do so?
Many of us with Adult ADHD become resistant to the idea of needing to do something or feeling like we should do something. We have to want to do something or buy into the reason for doing something. Understanding the benefits of exercising may a good place to start. I highly recommend Dr. John Ratey’s book Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain.
Also, understanding more about the resistance is a good idea. An ADHD Coach may be helpful when it comes to Adult ADHD and exercising. We recently did and ADHD Coach Talk show about ADHD and Exercise. If the resistance is more emotionally based or something deeper then it might be a good idea to speak to a mental health professional.
As you can tell from reading my blog and listening to the ADHD and Exercise show on ADHD Coach Talk, exercising regularly is also one of my challenges too! For me getting support from others has been very helpful!!
5 replies to "Resistance to Exercising"
The way the unmotivated exerciser has to do it is the same way we have to do lots of things: set up the conditions ahead of time so we are forced to do it.
Many people want to exercise (or want to HAVE exercised), but when the moment comes? Fergettit.
Finally acknowledging the truth which is that right now in this life I am UNABLE to do it independently, I hired someone to be my Exercise Administrator. She comes to my house twice a week and I HAVE to do it.
My son has ADHD and he’s does Taekwondo. I heard that martial arts is a good sport for people that have adhd and it’s turned out to be true. i started taking lessons too. so if you think you’re too old it’s not true. I’m 45 years old and love it! It’s a great workout and you learn self-defense. That’s the best part!
I would think cross training or tennis would be good exercise options for ADHD since the activities are constantly changing and stay interesting. Michael Phelps was said to have ADD and swimming was the perfect fit for him.
This has been one of my achilles heels for a long time too. I recently got radical and moved my treadmill into my dining room!!!
My plan is to structure my environment and create “magnets” to get me there to exercise. It’s working fairly well so far. When we play games in the dining room, I can get on the treadmill between turns! : )
I also set up a way to put my laptop on the treadmill, it’s hard to type while moving though. I can also listen to my mp3s or watch recorded TV programs using a “leapfrog” system. I’m still perfecting how to make myself do it “regularly”. Stay tuned…If I make it work…then I’ll write more about it.
Nice exercise blog and really like your post. Even i am also fitness loving person . I am member of http://www.abworkouts.me that keeps me fit and healthy. Exercise keeps us fit and also improves our mental health.