How to get yourself to exercise!

​​Have you ever noticed how much easier it is to be active when you're caught up doing something that’s fun and has a clear purpose?

That's because time really does fly by when you're having fun!

​So how do you get yourself to exercise when you're feeling tired and unmotivated?

Easy. You make it fun!

​Below you'll find 3 ways to transform exercise into something you look forward to - rather than dread.
 
1. Make It Social
 
Whenever possible, it’s best to work out with someone else – especially someone whose company you enjoy. Being with another person keeps your mind focused on them rather than the task at hand, ultimately making the work-out pass by more quickly. It also gives you a ton of mood-boosting benefits that come along with social support.
 
Research suggests that exercising with others may be even more effective in fighting depression than working out alone. So, the next time you’re planning a brisk walk, consider inviting a friend or a loved one to join you.
 
2. Make It Absorbing
 
Sometimes, it’s not possible to exercise with someone else, but there are other ways to make your workout more enjoyable.

• Listen to music – many people find it easy to get caught up in their favourite music. So the next time you’re exercising by yourself, you might consider taking along a portable music player with your favourite up-tempo songs.  ​

 

• Listen to an audiobook – listening to a good book or your favourite podcast is a great way to pass the time when exercising. Have you ever been so caught up in a book that you didn’t realize how late the time was? I certainly have, and the same thing happens when you pair it with exercise. In fact, often times my workouts are even longer because I don’t want to stop before the chapter ends!

 

• Pick a game – any exercise that has a game-like quality will capture your attention and be more engaging than an individual activity. Sports like baseball, soccer, tennis, ultimate Frisbee, and volleyball require very little equipment and are super fun to play. There are also several active video games on the market that provide surprisingly good aerobic workouts – have you ever tried Dance Dance Revolution? After 30-minutes, you’ll be sweating for sure!

   
 
3. Make It Purposeful
 
Exercise is WAY easier and more enjoyable when it incorporates a purpose. So the next time you go for a walk or run, try picking a destination that matters to you. It could be a friend’s house, a retail store, a coffee shop or a scenic waterfall – any place at all, as long as it’s somewhere you want to go.
 
You can also create purposeful exercise right in your own back yard, by mowing the lawn, raking, shoveling, mulching, or gardening. Because yard work is so goal-oriented, many people find it highly energizing – which allows them to stay at it for longer stretches of time. And believe it or not, this sort of activity is very aerobic (You can test this by taking your pulse the next time you’re working in the yard).
 
If you haven't been able to stick with a traditional workout program, try one of the strategies above and let me know how it goes. 

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I also want to remind my readers that you don't need to adopt a "typically work-out routine" to lose weight and feel great. Don't forget that while exercising has many benefits for mood, muscles, sleep, and energy, weight loss really is 80% diet!

You are what you eat!

If you've been struggling with you're weight and HATE exercising, I suggest scheduling a free wellness consultation with yours truly.  I have a 12 week weight loss program that is AMAZINGLY effective and you'll never have to step into a gym once. I promise!

Let's talk about this is more detail. Click HERE to schedule your consultation now. ​