When you think of exercise, what comes to mind? Do you view it as an obligation or a chore? The way you perceive exercise has a direct result on your motivation and willingness to integrate fitness into your routine. It’s time to change your view on exercise, and learn to appreciate it as a pleasure and something to look forward to. If you are committed to improving your health and wellness, you are already on the right track! By adopting the attitude that exercise is enjoyable, you’ll learn to embrace fitness as a holistic approach to improving your health and overall quality of life. Here are 9 tips to help you learn to love exercising!
1) Change Your Mindset on Exercise
Your mindset on exercise has a major impact on whether you will enjoy working out. So first, evaluate your thoughts and beliefs about exercise and replace any negative ones with positive, empowering ones. For instance, if you were forced to participate in boring gym classes or play sports that you were not interested in in the past, you likely developed the belief that exercise is something to be endured rather than enjoyed. So, take the time to evaluate where your current mindset on exercising stands. What are your positive and negative thoughts on exercise? Where do your negative thoughts stem from? Are these negative thoughts still true in your adult life or are you holding on to negative thoughts from your past? Once you identify which beliefs are hindering you from enjoying exercise, you can work on changing them into positive beliefs that will help you reach your goals.
2) Adjust Your Focus
Many people find it difficult to learn to love exercise due to the fact that they are only focusing on one outcome – weight loss. When only you perceive exercise as a way to manage your weight, it will become an obligation and something you should do rather than something to enjoy. Remember that your body is yours to take care of, and when you focus on energizing your body, improving your health, and enhancing your quality of life, you will begin to view exercise as a healthy decision rather than an obligation. With a positive focus on exercise, you will be more motivated to work out as exercising will become a natural part of taking care of yourself.
3) Make Sure You are Energized
Learning to love exercise can be pretty difficult when you barely have enough energy to get you through your normal routine. If a lack of energy is preventing you from working out, you should examine your lifestyle to figure out where this lack of energy is coming from. Are you consuming healthy, high-fiber foods? Are you drinking lots of water and taking the right supplements? Are you getting enough sleep and managing stress in an effective way? A poor diet, lack of self-care, and stress can all have a strong influence on your energy levels. If your lifestyle is getting in the way of working out, be sure to identify exactly where these barriers are stemming from and make the necessary adjustments to ensure you are well energized. A nourishing diet and a well-balanced lifestyle will give you the energy needed to not only exercise, but to take on your daily routine in a more efficient and effective manner.
4) Schedule Time In Your Routine
Fitting exercise into your routine can be extremely difficult if you feel rushed or if you are sacrificing other parts of your life in order to get a workout in. However, the reality is, you should make time to do the things you love. Instead of giving up a daily activity to fit in a workout, find a solution that works for you. Consider waking up a bit earlier and working out in the morning, so you don’t have to take time out of your daily routine. Morning workouts are also a great way to energize your body and set a positive tone for the rest of your day. If you don’t have time to exercise in the morning, set up your treadmill (or whatever equipment you may have) in front of your TV and workout while you watch your favourite show. Take short breaks at work and walk around the block, or go for a run around the field while your kids are at their sports practices. When you realize you don’t have to cut out important parts of your life to fit exercise into your routine, you can learn to enjoy exercising without feeling guilty.
5) Find the Right Type of Workout
Finding the right type of workout will have a huge impact on your motivation and willingness to exercise. Take some time to try different types of exercises and see which ones spark the most interest. Try different workout classes, participate in different sports, go to the gym, and workout outdoors. Exercise can be any form of physical activity that elevates your heart rate, so find a workout that makes you happy, and you’ll be much more motivated to perform your exercises. Here at LiveWell Health & Physiotherapy, we have a number of services that can help you determine which exercises are best for you and your goals!
6) Partner Up
Find friends or family members who are motivated to workout with you. No matter the type of exercise, make a pact to workout together at least a few times a week. Exercising with a partner will help to keep you accountable, as well as motivate you to exercise harder. Plus, working out with a friend is oftentimes much more enjoyable than working out alone!
7) Create / Find an Inspiring Space
The space that you exercise in has a stronger influence than you may think. Many people don’t have the space for a workout room in their homes, however, setting aside a corner within your living room or basement will work just as well. Having a dedicated space for storing your workout equipment will inspire you to get up and get exercising. Additionally, music will play a significant role in your pleasure with exercising. Studies show that music increases enjoyment by 28% as it instills a positive, emotional state during exercise. Therefore, it is evident that music is extremely invaluable as it motivates people to exercise, and best of all, it can be listened to whether your workout space is at home, outdoors, or at a public gym.
8) Share Your Goals, Successes, and Frustrations
Having a workout partner is also extremely beneficial when it comes to sharing your goals, successes, and frustrations. When you have someone to support you and confide in throughout your exercise journey, you will once again be held accountable when it comes to reaching your daily, weekly, and monthly goals, as well as when it comes to celebrating successes and working through any challenges and frustrations that may arise. The sense of accomplishment that you attain after reaching your goals and sharing your successes will be the encouragement you need to continue your journey on learning to love exercising.
9) Focus on the Positives
After exercising, reflect on how it makes you feel in terms of your physical and mental state. Does exercise make you feel proud of yourself? More energized? Stronger? Healthier? The positive effects of exercise should be the reason why you want to learn to love exercising in the first place, so don’t forget to focus on the positives, celebrate your accomplishments, and take in all the benefits that exercise has on your body and mind.
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We hope this blog provided you with valuable tips that will shift your outlook on working out, and in turn, help you learn to love exercising. Remember, viewing exercise as a positive contribution to your health and wellness will play a major role in your motivation to exercise, and we’re hopeful that these tips will bring your exercise endeavours to the next level. If you’re in need of additional resources to help you find the right exercises for you, your body, and your goals, our team of professionals can support you in your exercise journey at our Kitchener (Lancaster and Driftwood), Baden, and Waterloo locations. Contact us today to get started on your exercise journey!
Want more lifestyle advice on how to improve your overall health and wellness? Contact our Livewell Health and Physiotherapy Kitchener (Lancaster and Driftwood), Baden, or Waterloo teams to get more information and book your next appointment. You can also reach out to us by email or social media and one of our team members would be more than happy to answer any of your questions! All of our practitioners have more tips and expert guidance to help improve the overall quality of your life.