Are you one of the millions of people out there who dreads working out? It’s normal to feel that way at first. When you get used to it, you will start to enjoy your pursuit of fitness, but it is convincing yourself to start that is the hard part. There are plenty of ways to talk yourself into liking something. After all, fake it until you make it, right? Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Start Small
You don’t have to hit the gym for an hour your first time out. Studies show that even fifteen minutes of low intensity exercise – like walking – per day can boost your mood, stabilize weight, and give you more energy. You can do anything for fifteen minutes!
Do Something You Enjoy
Exercise does not have to be torture. It doesn’t mean you have to head to the gym and use exercise machines or exhaust yourself following the latest insane exercise video. You can meet a friend at the park for a jog or just take your dog for a walk. If you love dancing, take your partner out to the club for the evening. In the summer months, hitting the pool is a great idea. You can work out while working on your tan.
Reward Yourself
When you pair something you don’t love with something you do, it can make you associate feelings of pleasure with what you don’t like. After a workout, give yourself a treat like taking in a favorite movie or reading a good book. Just don’t reward yourself with a hot fudge sundae or anything else that can sabotage your fitness plan.
Make Your Time
Your workout should make your feel happier and less stressed out. This is something you are doing for yourself and not anyone else. Listen to your favorite music or an audiobook on sweat-proof headphones like BlueBuds X from Jaybird, which are designed to withstand any workout routine. If you are attending a gym, you can even watch a favorite TV show while working out. Figure out a way to make your workout time all about you.
Exercise does not have to be the daunting enterprise we make it out to be in our heads. Exercise should fill you with joy, not dread. Therefore, approach it from that perspective. If you are pressed for time – or dying after just a few minutes – then keep it short and sweet. Do something fun rather than boring, so you will really look forward to exercising. Reward yourself for finishing the workout. It doesn’t matter how long it was, what it was, or even if you lost any weight. What matters is that you did it. Finally, remember that your workout is for you and you alone. Pamper yourself with an experience that is all about you.
