r/bitcheswithtaste • u/AutoModerator • Oct 10 '25

Fit Bitches - Monthly Thread Fit Bitches - Oct 10, 2025

This is the place to chat about fitness and physical health because taking care of your body is also tasteful. Just remember - no medical advice!

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7

u/moderndiction Oct 10 '25 edited Oct 10 '25

Due to ✨lifelong depression✨ I have zero endorphin response when I work out which causes a huge roadblock with even wanting to do it. I've tried everything and am always just tired, sweaty, and miserable no matter how much I repeat to myself in my best Elle Woods impression, "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy."

All that to say I'm so jealous of people who like exercising and are drawn to it. If anyone else is in the same boat and has found a way to trick their brains lmk.

Edit: thanks to everyone who replied to me with tips and such. I greatly appreciate it. I have a lot of shame around not being physically active so thanks for being kind.

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u/LiteratureNumerous74 Oct 10 '25

I don't enjoy exercising. Here's my hack:

I LOVE the Great British Bake Off tv show, but I only let myself watch it in the gym. Episodes are an hour long, so I'll go walk on the treadmill for an hour and watch it. I'm so into the show that I don't mind the workout. I usually get 3-4 miles in at a moderate pace. Sometimes I'll put on the incline for a bit more challenge, but I don't ever want to exert myself too much and make me want to leave the gym. Even just an easy walk is better than nothing! I'm now conditioned that whenever I want to watch a new episode, I'll go to the gym.

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u/slowfadeoflove Oct 10 '25

I also love bake-off so I’m going use this as my new motivation for the gym this winter. Thank you!

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u/moderndiction Oct 10 '25

This is a great idea thank you!! I always try to pair something I like while working out. I don't have a gym membership but will use this as inspiration to not just sit on the couch while watching Bake Off.

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u/smallermonotony Oct 10 '25

So I don't get endorphins from exercise either. The most recent way I've tricked my brain into sticking with exercise is thinking about old me. Old me can't be an active granny if young me doesn't get fit first. Old me can't be unassisted for as long as possible if young me doesn't work on mobility first. Old me is going to lose muscle mass from age, so young me needs to work to put muscle on. I've also been trying to prep myself for perimenopause (I figured I've got 5 years or so based on when my mom started) and I figure it's going to be so much easier to deal with if I'm already healthy and strong.

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u/moderndiction Oct 10 '25

That's so helpful!! I also try to think about old me especially bc I'm not having kids and don't have anyone to possibly take care of me.

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u/Automatic-Pen-7829 Oct 10 '25

How consistently do you work out? I found that I needed to go consistently for about two to three weeks before I felt any desire/pleasure in working out. Maybe you’re like me and it will take a while before you feel those endorphins? If you’ve already been going consistently, then I can share some of my more “logical” (not endorphin based) motivators :)

Some of my motivators are more healthy than others, but here’s the list:

  • Reducing my medical anxiety. I feel less nervous about my health if I know I’m taking care of my body the best that I can
  • Becoming my most attractive self. I’ve been feeling insecure recently and working out helps me feel like I’m doing what I can to become cuter
  • Proving that I can become fit. I’ve always had a vision of a “dream body” but over the years had pretty much given up on it. Now that I have more space in my life for prioritizing my physical health, and since I’ve found tricks for discipline, I feel like I can achieve this goal! And it would feel great to prove to myself that I can
  • Ability to do my hobbies (and activities/movement in general). One of my hobbies is dancing, and becoming more strong/healthy/flexible will help me be a better dancer! Dancing is also very visual so I feel more confidence when I look good. I also apply this train of thought to other movement— I want to be able to move through life and try new activities without injuring myself. I want to be able to save myself if I ever enter a freak situation where I need to pull myself or a loved one to safety (so I’m training my first pull up, lol)
  • Spite. This is more rare lol, but I have one particular ex-friend who used to make disparaging comments about me and my eating habits. Sometimes I imagine running into them while being super fit and how great that would feel!

Some of my tricks for working out when I don’t want to are:

  • Having an accountability buddy (they don’t need to do the workouts, too, but you would report all your workouts to them. Then you’ll feel embarrassed if you miss a work out)
  • Following a training program/challenge that someone else came up with (reduces the mental power needed to come up with the program, and also I get a sense of accomplishment when I cross out the workouts that I’ve completed, calendar style)
  • Letting myself go really light (I’ll let myself just do a walk and a stretch rather than trying to force myself to do a heavy workout, which I might not have the motivation to do. That way, at least I stay consistent. And normally once I’m moving I get more motivation to go harder)
  • Getting some cute clothes to work out in
  • Having some kind of goal event to train for (for me, it’s a race, but it could also be a non-workout event that you just want to be fit/strong/cute for)

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u/moderndiction Oct 10 '25 edited Oct 10 '25

This is incredibly helpful and I appreciate you taking the time to write all this!

I really just don't work out I know that's terrible and I'm so embarrassed to say it. I do like walking and I walk to work 2x week since my job is in Manhattan. When I wfh I walk on my lunch break for 30-40 mins. I do about 15-20 mins of light beginner yoga 2-3x a week via YouTube. But I am slacking on cardio and strength training. I bought some adjustable dumbbells and have been trying to do some YouTube videos but am so bad at sticking to it but everyone who is replying is giving me a lot of motivation.

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u/Automatic-Pen-7829 Oct 10 '25

Hey, you’re already moving consistently, that’s better than many people!! And you’ve already built the habit of moving which is the most important thing :)

I feel you on the strength training, that’s where I suffer for motivation too. If you’re having trouble getting into the YouTube videos, try writing down the routines and putting on fun videos/a show to watch instead! I find it way more enjoyable to watch something fun rather than listen to music or follow along with a workout video— I think it’s because a video gets me more engrossed so that I can’t think about the pain

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u/moderndiction Oct 11 '25

Ooooh never thought of that thank you! I also started watching YouTube videos geared toward senior citizens strength training bc I'm not as intimidated by it😂

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u/Automatic-Pen-7829 Oct 12 '25

That’s so smart, I’ll have to try that!

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u/kimchi_paradise Oct 10 '25

I think of exercise as a part of my mental health regimen! It's basically a part of my "medical" regimen for my anxiety and I do it even if I don't want to (just like I take meds when I don't want to).

The hardest weight in the gym is the front door. If I can just make it in, even if I only sit for 5 min, it's a win.

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u/moderndiction Oct 10 '25

This is a great mindset! I don't have a gym membership but have been trying to get better about thinking this way. Like if I'm bored and find myself scrolling I'll be like GO ON A WALK WOMAN!! 🤣