Anything is possible…
We all know that going to the gym is good for us and something that we should be doing several times a week. But actually dragging ourselves through a workout feels like a struggle. And, eventually, you just get tired of it.
Fortunately, though, there’s a way around this problem. It turns out that there are several techniques that you can use to enjoy your workouts and still get all your training done.
Sounds impossible right? After all, who enjoys the gym? Well, it turns out that a lot of people love going. They embrace fitness as part of their holistic lifestyle and see it as a kind of moving meditation. So the question is, how can you be like them? How can you turn going to the gym into something that’s just as enjoyable as, say, munching on Doritos?
Check out these ideas…
Change How You See Your Workouts
Most people view their workouts as something negative that they just have to get through to create some kind of benefit. Thus, the gym becomes a bit like the dentist. You don’t like the extraction itself. But you know that it is better than leaving the tooth to rot in your mouth. This approach, however, is based on an assumption that exercising is inherently unpleasant. It’s just something you have to grit your teeth and do. But that’s not true. It turns out that exercise can actually be a pleasurable experience. You just need to get the balance right. So how can you do this?
First thing’s first: you need to change how you approach it. Instead of going all out, pushing yourself to the limit, relax into it. Enjoy the sensation of movement. And don’t even get out of breath if you don’t want to. This way, you train your brain to associate the gym with positive, feel-good hormones, not sweat and tears.
After a while, you’ll find that your tolerance for exercise slowly increases. You’ll find yourself pushing a little harder, not because you have some end-goal in mind, but because you like the experience. Over time, this builds your fitness without you having to force anything.
Change Your Focus
Here’s another big piece of advice for getting into exercise: change your focus. Many people just want to lose weight and tone up. So they fixate on these issues. But the problem with this is that they are working towards an end but not enjoying the means of getting there.
We’ve all had these experiences before in life, but they never work. Nobody becomes good at playing the piano, for instance, because they have a goal of playing Beethoven’s Sonata. Instead, they just enjoy the experience. The same must be true of exercise. Changing your focus allows you to enjoy the experience and get the benefits, such as weight loss, as a byproduct.
Give Yourself Plenty Of Energy
You might want to exercise. But if you’re low on energy, you’ll struggle to get through your workouts. Being low on energy saps you of strength and can deter you from getting exercise long-term.
Whenever you exercise, you need to make sure that you’re replenishing your body. Eating too few calories for too long can leave you feeling worn out and drained. You’ll also need to make sure that you’re getting sufficient water to rehydrate you, and that you’re taking the right supplements.
Also, be sure that you’re eating enough high-fibre foods. Many people who start exercise routines get into the habit of eating low-value foods, like white pasta and turkey mince. If you can, supplement your diet with as many beans and veggies as possible to keep your fibre levels high and your bowels healthy.
Make Working Out Your “Me” Time
We live such busy lives that it can be difficult for us to find time for solitude. But that’s precisely what working out should be – a kind of “me time” where you get away from it all and just focus on you.
Turning your workouts into “me time” is a great way to alter how you think about them. Instead of seeing them as a kind of chore, you can view them as a form of self-care and luxury. Hitting the weights can be a kind of restorative practice that allows you to feel invigorated at the start of every day.
If you don’t have time to work out, make time. Most people believe that they don’t have the hours in the day to permit working out. But that’s rarely true. If we’re honest, many of us have time in both the mornings and evenings, as well as on the weekends. If you are a busy parent, you can try combining your exercise with your kids’ itinerary. So, for instance, if you take them to a leisure centre for swimming lessons, you can use this time to work out in the nearby gym.
Be More Adaptable
Because the benefits of exercise are so profound, it pays to be as adaptable as possible, fitting in workouts whenever you can. But how can you change your mindset?
The first way to do it is to make exercise something that you do socially. So, for instance, you might join a cycling club and then go for lunch with them afterwards. Or you could join a football team. Whatever it is, doing it in a group of people can help tremendously.
When it comes to exercise, it helps to have a growth mindset. This is the idea that you’re not stuck in your ways, but capable of moving forwards in a big way. It’s the belief that you can be like a fitness model, even if your body isn’t that way at the moment.
Being more adaptable is challenging and takes time, but it’s worth it. The more you practice, the better you get at it.
Listen To Music
Music can have a powerful effect on your psychology. For many people, it makes them feel more relaxed. But, so long as you choose the right beats, it can make you feel pumped up as well.
Music also has a wonderful ability to elevate your mood. So if you listen to it primarily when you exercise, it can make you feel so much better about your routines. Music, for instance, increases exercise enjoyment by around a third – a big enough difference for many people to incorporate the gym as a regular part of their routine.
Do What Works For You
Researchers tell us that any kind of movement is good for our health and wellbeing. So don’t feel like you have to follow the crowd and do the same old regular movements, like everyone else.
Take some time to really think about the kind of exercise you enjoy. Usually, it’s the type of movement you don’t notice you’re doing. Perhaps, for instance, you enjoyed physical activity the most when you exercised alongside friends or went for a walk in beautiful mountains.
Some people find that they like exercise the most when they participate in group activities at their local gym. Most offer classes where people can exercise together.
If you’re still struggling to find something you enjoy, think back to your childhood. Usually, there is some form of exercise or physical activity that you liked and came naturally to you. The goal is to create a situation where you actually look forward to the exercise itself and don’t loathe it. You want something that encourages you to do it.
So, there you have it: how to enjoy exercise as much as munching on Doritos. Leave your thoughts below.
CP xo
