How do you motivate the significant other to exercize??

OK...don't be kinky now, I'm being serious.

Hubs and I have been splurging on the food since last year ...it all started with the duck dinners and the flood gates opened We have now gained spare tires. I've started bicycling and taking the dog out 2x a day ,Jumping rope and all sorts of stuff. I can't get hubby to start exercising...but I've noticed his energy levels dropping , he sleeps more and gets sicker more often. I've done the talking about it , tried persuading him by doing family exercising outings (going to the local swimming pool) and even got him a rower. So how did you manage to get the significant other motivated into exercising??are you the motivator or are you the one that get motivated?

I'm the motivatee -- DH likes to go on long walks at the weekends and he just reminds me of how it's good exercise and never fails to mention weigh-in Wednesdays.     I always have a good time once we're actually on the bridle path and try to remind myself of that when I'm having a hard time getting myself out the door.  I also remind myself that it's good quality time with DH...and it doesn't get better than that!     If I'm having a hard time getting on the treadmill, he reminds me of my long-term goals.  I thought that would make me mad, but it's really nice knowing that he's excited to see me get healthier and it does help when he reminds me of what all my hard work is for.

Hide his car.....

I know you said nothing kinky and I won't go there, but they do say it's the best exercise and most men can be persuaded to do that kind of exercise very regularly

Or....how about a  motivation & reward schedule, he will get xxxxxxxxxxxxxx of his choice if he does xxxxxxxx amount of exercise with you. The other option is two people activities - like tennis/squash/ping pong etc

Seriously- in my experience if leading by example (losing a little weight/toning and being particularly flirty in the bedroom) doesn't do it, it will need to wait until *he* is ready.

Good luck

I even succumbed to agreeing to give him massages 2x a day in order to get his ars* out for walks in the park (we live across the street  from our park)

hmmm.. that's the problem..*that* kind of exercise he doesn't shy away from but he does need to at least have a bit more of other kinds of excercise ...he works from home so he just rolls out of bed and at that's it. He's been having joint pain (neck and back) has seen his GP and a specialist...they recommended : stop smoking and more intake of exercise. So it's a cycle the less he exercises the more uncomfortable his neck and back get.

I'll just leave him be...I did say that if he exercises I would wear this as my halloween costume

Exercise?  Richard?  HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

This might be on the expensive side but if you have a car you could buy him a bike rack or if you don't have a car then buy him a new bicycle for his birthday.  You might be able to guilt him into cycling.  I suppose if you bought him a rower and he hasn't used it then that might not work! 

I'd say both DW & I are pretty motivated.  I play tennis a few times a week and often have 4 hour matches on
a number of weekends.  DW is a horse rider so she generally rides at least twice a week.  We also go on a walk whenever we can, whether it's around the neighborhood or on the Chiltern Way, Ridgeway Path, etc.

I got DW a bike rack for our car so all I need now is my own bike.  She got one about a year ago and enjoys cycling around the area and down the lanes.

I definitely agree with the idea that a complete lack of exercise and bad diet brings on sickness.  I think my last sick day off work was over 5 years ago and I could probably count on one hand the number of sick days I've taken in my nearly 10 years of working.  DW rarely gets sick as well even though she works in a hospital with lots of bugs around.

Another idea might be to get him one of those "Red Letter Days"/Adventure gifts for something like sailing or whatever.  Maybe there's a sport out there he might like?

Not sure what else you could do besides hiding his car keys/bus pass? 

Matt

Really we have the single greatest motivating tool in the house: It's called the 4 year old child

I tend to go bicycling or doing sporty things with her and in a way I am spending quality time with Jess so I don't see it as exercise....guess I'm gonna have to wait till  he  has a health scare before he decides it's the right thing to do. I haven't nagged him..as that would really not encourage things and most of his mates are quite sporty...even his dad regularly runs the flora marathon ...he's over 50!! He seems to have his mum's attitude towards exercise...I'm gonna see about tennis perhaps it's something that I can get him and his mates to do.

cheers guys a lot of useful info 

it's true, HE has to be ready

i used to harp on mine then realized he walks about 80 min every day to and from work, then to and from the house (at lunch!!!)

lucky him.  it's much harder for me!

I have to update ...he went running all last week

*Yay!!*

We motivate each other. In general, I'm much happier when I workout - it's a chemical/mood thing. He, on the other hand, does it to get aggression out (hot-tempered redhead). He was told how he mellowed out upon starting thai boxing by everyone. We both enjoy eating, so it will have to be a commitment when I move in to workout regularly together.

Good luck. I can say that when I don't want to, I won't. No one can move me. Others around me have motivated me at time through competition (might be a good idea) and at others, I just get mad b/c I don't want to buy new clothes, I like the ones from last summer!

We both LOVE sports!  We particularly enjoy outdoor sports of all sorts and spend as much time outside as weather allows.

Similar to Lola, I'm definitely the 'motivatee'...   Hubby goads me into longish weekend hikes...he bought me a pair of hiking boots the very first time I came to England to visit & they've gotten a good workout, but they could also walk more than they do.   The other thing is that I've since lost a good bit of weight after moving here, I have been thinking of joining a gym once I start working...just worry that I'll be like everyone else -- paying for an expensive gym membership & then not end up using it.  We'll see.

I am also the motivatee- my hubby has the willpower of an ox! He is tall and slim but had gotten a bit of a belly (noticeable to only him  ) and wasn't as fit as a result of our indulgences. He likes my cooking! hehe Now, he once again weighs less than me! He plays badminton with the guys from work a few times a week and encourages me to swim and walk and goes on walks with me- reminding me that we want a long life together and want to get me healthier for starting a family! Sometimes I wish he would just be my partner in crime (foodwise hehe) again, but I know he has my best interests at heart! That was part of the problem...we used to treat each other a lot. Eating really good food...but also lots of it!

I cannot wait to get back to full speed after this baby.  It's SO hard to slow it down.  We both love to go for a wander and have our daughter outside in all weathers.  She hates being cooped up.  If she doesn't get out quickly enough for her liking, she goes to the front door and tries to open it, squeaking, 'Out!  Out!'  Today at a picnic some teen boys were kicking a football and went right over and gave it a good thump, turning her foot just the way Daddy showed her. Girl after our own hearts  !

There's a climbing gym down the road and my heart skips every time I pass it, thinking about my harness and gear in a cardboard box in the hall cupboard  :\\\'(. 

A bad day outdoors is better than a good day working.