Up the Fun Factor: How to Love Exercise

Don’t quit your exercise routine through boredom. It’s easy to maintain an exercise plan when you know how to make it fun.

Ask almost anyone if they would like to become more fit, feel better, improve their body tone and increase their energy levels, and the answer would be a resounding ‘yes’. So why do many people struggle to reach their objectives? Here are some of the most common reasons why exercise can be difficult to fit into a regular routine, along with some suggestions of ways to overcome common objections to exercising that we all have at one time or another.

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I try to exercise but I find it boring. What can I do?

Exercise is often deemed to be boring when you think about going to the gym for a long time or stepping out for a lengthy walk or run. The thought that your exercise routine, along with all the preparation and travel that go with it, might not be over for a couple of hours can feel like just too much to bear. The idea of spending 20 to 30 minutes or more on a particular cardio machine, or running through the same exercise programme or class, can also fill you with despair.

Instead, complete your exercise in short, intensive bursts. We’re all pushed for time and our attention span can be short given our other commitments, so aim to get the most benefit from your workout in the shortest possible time.

Spend only five or ten minutes on any CV machine, but work hard for the entire duration of that time.
Set yourself objectives like ‘I must cover 5K in the shortest possible time’ or ‘I’ll aim to do the majority of this workout on one level higher than last time’. These short, sharp bursts of activity will ensure that your mind doesn’t begin to wander.
Don’t scrimp on the quality of your exercise. Make sure you’re always using good posture and safe techniques.
Keep your exercise routine fresh by switching up your routine. Try a variety of exercises in the gym or take some classes as part of your schedule. Exercise outdoors in good weather. Make every week of your exercise programme different, so there’s no reason to get bored.

I find exercise uncomfortable, it’s just too strenuous. What can I do?

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Exercising is never going to feel as comfortable as sitting on the sofa or being out with your friends – basically, inhabiting life in the comfort zone. But just how comfortable is your so-called ‘comfort zone’?

You’re probably very hard on yourself when you don’t exercise and this criticism can be quite painful in its own way; so find a level of exercise, some activities or a sports team that provide you with enough of a workout for you to see and feel fitness improvements.

Make sure you have the correct clothing for your exercise. If it’s too loose, you’ll get distracted. If it’s too tight, you’ll feel constricted.
You also need to ensure you have the right footwear for your chosen activity.
Your exercise environment should be cool and airy. If you get too hot, you’ll soon start to feel uncomfortable.
Begin gently and increase your intensity slowly over time. This will ensure that you never become too uncomfortable during your workout.
Plan rest periods into your workout.
Try something that doesn’t feel like exercise. Cycling on a sunny day or swimming with the family will burn calories and you’ll enjoy yourself.

I start well but soon give up, as I often find there’s something better to do! What can I do?

Finding creative ways to distract yourself from your exercise programme could be an Olympic sport in itself!

When it’s time to get to the gym, somehow anything seems more exciting – even tidying up the kitchen!

Fitness programs usually begin with good intentions, but these can wane if results are not fast enough, and it’s at this point that we can become easily distracted. If your programme produces results that you are pleased with in a short space of time, you are more unlikely to waver off-track. You’ll be so excited about how great you feel; you’ll be counting down to each workout to ensure the results keep coming.

For best results, plan workouts in advance and aim to exercise every two to three days. An exercise programme that fits into your overall schedule is one that you will stick with.
Plan what you will do on your rest and recovery days so that you use your time well, fulfill work duties, enjoy your social time, and keep exercise time free from any distractions.

I’ve tried exercising before and it didn’t work, so why should I bother this time? What can I do differently?

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If exercise hasn’t worked for you in the past, then you just haven’t found the right exercise programme that works for you yet. Be positive; the more programs you’ve tried, the more options you’ve eliminated, so the closer you are to now finding the perfect routine for you.

Decide right now that this time exercise will work for you.

Think about what ‘working’ means to you. What specific results are you looking for? When do you want to see those results? What do you need to do to ensure you get those results? How important is it to you? Are you willing to make this a priority?
Once you have answered these questions, experiment with different types of exercise, workout patterns, different intensities and durations with your workouts, and keep modifying until you get the results you want.

Easy ways to stay motivated

Make exercise social by exercising with friends. Find a class with a friend that you both enjoy and make it quality time you spend together.
Listen to upbeat music while you exercise.
Try short workouts when time is precious. 20 minutes of cardio at a slightly higher intensity will still count.
Vary your workouts to keep your enthusiasm up.

This post is written by Kashif Raza, he contributes to a website that provides health and fitness tips as well as very useful information about weight loss after pregnancy. This website also offers latest nutrisystem referral code. Nutrisystem offers weight loss programs delivered right to your door.

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