Fitness and fun aren’t always words that you find together. And let’s be honest, no matter where you are on your health and fitness journey – even for those who DO find exercise to be fun – there’s a good chance you’ve gone through more than one “ugh, I don’t wanna” phase. A phase that can, and often does, lead to inconsistency with exercise. Or perhaps you keep saying you’re going to start, but just can’t bring yourself to actually do it.
If either of those scenarios feels familiar, maybe it’s time to change the way you view exercise and how to achieve health.
Close your eyes and think of what comes to mind when someone says the word “exercise.”
Did words and phrases like “hard, not a fan, overwhelming, can’t, worst, time-consuming, inconvenient, not motivated, etc.” come to mind? You’re not alone if they did. With that in mind, it’s no wonder that you’ve been having a tough go of it. That language doesn’t incite good feelings or inspire consistent action.
So, what’s the fix?
Before we answer that, answer one more question. Have you ever found yourself wondering, asking a professional, or Googling some variation of, “What’s the best type of exercise?” Again, if you’re like most, you probably have.
Now, the answer to both of those burning questions: Find the exercises/workouts/forms of physical activity you enjoy and do THOSE.
Can it really be that simple? In a word, yup! Make. It. Fun.
Will there be days where you’re not motivated, and you don’t wanna do it? You bet. Motivation and the excitement of a new goal will only get you started. Commitment and dedication to yourself and your wellness is what drives consistency. But that can feel like a tall order when you’ve got your mind set that exercise means discomfort in some way.
Here are a few suggestions on how to make exercise more enjoyable - even fun!
• Dance it out! There’s a reason why dance workouts are so popular. Great music. High-energy vibes. Fun dances that will have you smiling from ear-to-ear. What’s not to love? surrounded by others enjoying the fitness (our WERQ and Zumba classes are a cardio party set to high-energy and fun beats)
• Bring a buddy! The more the merrier. Exercising is always more fun when you have someone else along for the ride. Beyond studies that have shown how consistency increases by working out with a buddy
• Take it outside! Biking, hiking, jogging, snowshoeing, swimming… The great outdoors provides so many fun opportunities to get moving – in any season.
• Mix up your routine! If you’ve been doing the same workout day-after-day, it might be time to change things up. Sprinkle in a new workout to keep things interesting and engaging. When you stretch your comfort zone and try something you’ve never done before because you just might discover a new way to move that brings you joy.
Exercise is meant to challenge you, but challenging doesn’t have to mean boring or draining. At the end of the day, movement is meant to be an expression of love and appreciation for yourself and your body, and that should be something you enjoy!
