I hate exercising.

I find it boring. I’ve tried gyms, the home as seen on TV and ones you drive to type. The former’s claim to instant fitness is usually false and the latter tends to have hidden costs like trainers who say they will whip you into shape for more than what you’re paying a month at the health club.

Aerobic classes are also pretty pointless to me since I can’t tell my left from my right.

I can find one million reasons why I can’t or won’t exercise. I don’t have the time, I’m tired, I forgot to wash my workout clothes, there’s a good movie on … the list goes on and on.

Unfortunately, in this sedentary world of Internet, surround-sound entertainment, WiFi and smartphones, the older you get, the harder it is to lose weight and stay healthy without some sort of exercise regimen.

I can diet until the cows come home. I think women are taught by society that we have to always watch our weight so some of us jump on the latest diet craze just to lose a few pounds. Do grapefruit, South Beach and acai berries sound familiar? Many are successful at eating a balanced meal. But the more I try to limit my intake, the more frustrated I am by the numbers on the scale.
At a recent doctor’s appointment, my doctor told me I needed to change my eating habits and exercise more or certain health conditions I have will worsen and severely impair my quality of life.

She just had to say the E word.

My place of work is having a Biggest Loser contest so, like Kevin, I decided to bite the bullet and face my biggest enemy — exercise.

I picked the least complicated exercise I could think of, walking. My ever-growing reasons for why I can’t exercise were countered with arguments of why I have to exercise. Fortunately for my health, “I must exercise” won.

Walking where was the next dilemma. None of my friends are at the same level of fitness as me. They are either very fit, have physical limitations or have even more excuses not to exercise. So I had to pick a place where a person walking alone would be safe.

I found that from Monday through Saturdays, you can walk at the Cross Creek Mall from 7 to 9 a.m. With air conditioning and window-shopping while you walk available, who can knock that?

Apparently I can, because excuse #420, I-hate-to-get-up-early, reared its ugly head so I found an alternative when it’s nice outside — Hedrick Stadium’s track. Right after work, I change into workout clothes and head down the street, water bottle and iPhone in hand.

I found plenty of Soldiers, Families and civilians walking and running on the track and up and down the stadium stairs. I also found something else at the track — motivation.

Watching people of different fitness levels doing their darnedest to work out was quite inspiring, especially Soldiers carrying rucksacks and medicine balls while sprinting around the track. The best part was no one seemed to judge anyone on what skill level or body shape they’re in. Everyone was there for one purpose — to work out.

I also found music to be a great tool to combat the “I can’t” excuses. When I plug in, tune out and keep moving, I’m able to accomplish goals such as walking two miles around the track and running up the stairs a couple of times. Just make sure the tunes are upbeat in tempo. It really helps pick up your step.

Do I love to exercise now? No, but it’s beginning to grow on me, especially when I found out I lost four pounds this week.
If there are other beginners out there who need to exercise but want to start off easy, look for me with the faux Ray Bans and ball cap shuffling around the track. I may even start to do something I hate even more — jogging.