Most people know that exercise is essential for optimum health, so why is it that they try to avoid it, make excuses and find every way out of it?
Exercise prevents illnesses, reduces stress, helps people live longer and is one of the most positive things you can do for your body. It’s a no brainer, right?
People avoid exercise because they don’t find pleasure in it. I know some of you may be thinking to yourself that I am crazy, and that you could never learn to love something that your hate but trust me, it is possible!
How to Learn to LOVE Exercise
Change Your Mindset: If exercise seems like a chore to you, then you must change your mindset and evaluate the reasons why you are working out. Exercise should be anything BUT a chore. Try to think of exercise as “me time”, time to de-stress, time to do something that your future self will thank you for.
Next time you workout, instead of dreading it, think of it as some nice alone time. Time away from your obligations, your work, your desk. Working out is all about YOU! Embrace it and enjoy it!
Find Something YOU Enjoy: I love to run, but that doesn’t mean that you have to. Find whatever form of activity YOU like to do, and go with that. I love to be outside, so being stuck inside the gym is not my favorite thing to do.
Someone else might love lifting weights, swimming in the indoor pool or using the elliptical. It doesn’t matter WHAT you like to do, as long as you LIKE it and you do it!
Try New Things: Running is great, but when it comes to exercise constantly doing the same thing can become daunting, whether you love it or not. Recently I stepped out of my comfort zone and decided to give Zumba, Barreworke and Poise a try.
At first I wasn’t sure how it would go, dancing of any form has never been a strong point of mine! Nevertheless I told myself I would try, what is the worst thing that could happen?
Luckily, I found out that I LOVEEEE Zumba, Barreworke & Poise classes (I owe you a post on what Poise class is, it’s coming I promise!) If I had never tried, then I would have never known about these awesome workouts that I was missing out on.
Not Everyone is the Same: I have tons of friends who LOVE Crossfit. They rave about it, they brag about their WOD’s and they enjoy hanging out at the “box”. I have tried Crossfit and although I do think that it is a fabulous workout, it’s just not for me.
I don’t enjoy lifting heavy weights and I don’t typically like workouts that involve a lot of equipment. It’s not my thing, so I steer clear of it.
This does not mean that you should not try new things, or that you should only try them once. Try new things, but do not feel like you HAVE to participate in certain workouts because everyone else is, or because it is the “current craze”.
Have Fun: If your workout is not at least somewhat fun for you, then you will always think of it as a chore. I love Zumba because not only is it a great workout, but it’s also FUN! A bunch of girl dancing in a room where no one judges whether or not you can actually salsa, is fun for me!
l love to run because I find it challenging. Challenges are fun for me too! I signed up for the Rebel Race with my girlfriends because jumping around in the mud, while going thru obstacle courses seemed like a fun thing to do.
Think back to when you were a child. Did you enjoy swimming? Riding your bike? Playing sports? Whatever it is does not matter, as long as you are moving and having fun!
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How did you learn to love exercise?
What is your favorite form of exercise?
Thank you for visiting my site! My name is Stellina and I am the blogger behind My Yogurt Addiction. My blog follows my never ending yogurt addiction and quest to live a healthy lifestyle while still indulging in (only healthy) addictions! Feel free to contact me at StellinaSaia@gmail.com 
I love running and I started out hating it. I think you’re right though- that finding what you love is most important. If you’re not a runner, try swimming. If you need to be with people, take a class. There are so many options to move and not enough people take advantage of that.
Sarah @Pickyrunner recently posted..Back Deck: A Boston Brunchers Meetup
You are so right! The opportunities are endless therefore there are NO excuses!
Trying new things is the #1 way I get myself motivated to exercise and love it! Currently I am loving cardio barre workouts!
thehealthyapron recently posted..What Makes You So Perfect!?
Same here! Barre is my new thing, it’s a fabulous workout
When I was a teen, I hated the gym and working out in general. I used to see people running outside and thought they were insane! When I started running as a challenge to run a 5k I realised that I love running especially that feeling of freedom while moving. Since then I will never say I don’t like something until I try it.
Love your attitude! I am the same way, I’ll try anything once!
I think it’s so important to find how YOU love to move! So many people say oh I hate running and then write off exercise all together, but there are so many other awesome, equally beneficial exercises you can do. I think also just sticking with it and getting over that initial hump helps. Making a change in your daily routine/lifestyle can be hard but once exercise is a habit I think it’s a lot easier to learn to love it.
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