Motivated to Move

If you have not noticed, a fit lifestyle has become quite popular. Perhaps it is, in part, due to the nature of social media. People can post their progress pictures under different hashtags such as #MotivationMonday, #TransformationTuesday, #FlexFriday, and so forth. Or, it could be that the prevalence of fitness is due to successful public health efforts to educate the population on the importance of physical activity. With persistent stress and sedentary lifestyles contributing to chronic disease, it is possible people are finally awakening to the value of movement as a regular part of a healthy, long life. Despite the positive trend towards regular physical activity, there are many who are reluctant to get on board. They simply cannot see themselves as ever becoming "gym rats" because exercise feels like a chore. It seems like a necessary evil at best and punishment at worst. If that is your perspective on exercise, here are several suggestions for how to make exercise fun.

Do What You Like

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A big reason some people dread exercise is because they associate it with pain rather than pleasure. They envision intensive, boot-camp style workouts. They picture someone shouting in their face and making them do dreadful things like push-ups, burpees, and suicide running drills. While that is one type of conditioning, that is certainly not the only way to exercise, nor is it necessary or preferable for everyone. The average person is not an Olympian, military service member, or a competitive athlete, nor do they aspire to be. For most people, they just need to get into a regular movement routine and reverse some of the effects of a sedentary lifestyle. Therefore, you will probably have a better chance of sticking with a workout regimen if you pick activities you actually enjoy. Have you always enjoyed golf? Try to hit the course a few times a week. Maybe you played tennis or racquetball in high school. Start by picking it up again. Does the thought of running exhaust you, but you can swim endless laps in the pool? Make that your cardio. It does not really matter what you do as long as you get your heart rate up and stay consistent.

Make it a Party

Another way to make exercise fun is by tricking yourself into it. Dance fitness has been popular for years because they make aerobic exercise feel like a party. One example is Zumba. It is a popular dance fitness format that uses mostly Latin and international rhythms in the class. Zumba even has the slogan, "Ditch the workout. Join the party." It is a great starter class for all fitness levels and rhythmic abilities. Other dance fitness formats are Jazzercise, an aerobic dance format that has been popular for decades. It uses popular music on the radio and gives you a total body workout. There is also MIXXED FIT, U-Jam, and many other dance formats. They all have the same goal of getting the heart pumping and the feet thumping.

Is it Realistic?

The most important thing to consider when starting any exercise plan is how realistic is it. This is probably especially important to consider if you are not really used to moving on a regular basis. The Center for Disease Control recommends that the average adult engage in about 2 1/2 hours of aerobic activity each week with at least two days of some sort of muscle strengthening activity. If that is the case, consider what makes the most sense given your schedule and lifestyle. Should you commit to exercise two to three days per week, or does it make more sense to do a shorter duration over four or five days of the week? Be honest with yourself about what fits best with your lifestyle. What can you realistically commit to for the long haul?

If you are one who has not yet been bitten by the fitness bug, do not worry. Do not judge yourself too harshly. Sometimes it takes a little more to get excited about a lifestyle a movement. But give these tips a try and see if they do not inspire you to move more regularly. Make it a party by grabbing a friend, making it a competition, doing what you enjoy and taking it outside. See if exercise becomes more than just a chore and a necessary evil; see if it becomes something that you actually enjoy.