Exercise can be one of the most rewarding and challenging activities an individual can do for themselves. Besides energy, you need the motivation to do this important task daily. Boredom can be one of the largest roadblocks one can meet along the way to a healthy lifestyle. For more information, go to braceyourhealth.
Here are 5 ways to make exercising more fun:
1. Shake it Up
If you are exercising on a treadmill most days, if the weather permits, take your walk outside. Even if it is a bit cold, you can bundle up and get in a good walk. The fresh air will do your body good and get your mind out of a rut.
Change what you are doing to something different now and then. If you are lifting weights, start doing some cardio exercises. If you are walking, try yoga or swimming. Your mind and body will thank you for switching things up now and again.
2. Don’t Exercise
That’s right. Do something totally different than exercise. Throw a Frisbee with a friend, challenge someone to a Dance-Off for 30 minutes, or clean the house with your favorite music turned way up. These are all things that can be heart-pumping and a great way to exercise without really exercising.
When you are doing something like cleaning the house or playing a game, you are really working different muscles and breathing differently, which is basically exercising. Your mind will think you are taking a day off from working out, but your body will know differently.
3. Add Rewards
When you lack the motivation to continue exercising, add some rewards at the end of your workout routine. Try to stay away from food as a reward, unless it is a delicious and nutritious shake or other types of healthy food.
A piece of new workout equipment or a new outfit can be a great motivator, during a particularly hard time. Set the reward for the end of the week or month after so many workouts. You could hang a photo of the item on your fridge or make it the photo on your phone to remind you of why you are working out.
4. Grab a Partner
If you are used to exercising alone, grab a partner to make the task easier and the time goes faster. In addition, being accountable to someone else will help you stay on track and not put off your workout to another day.
Many gyms have workout programs for partners, like yoga and weight lifting with a friend. These classes often don’t cost any more than your initial membership dues, and you will have lots more fun working out with a buddy.
5. Volunteer
There are hundreds of dogs waiting to be walked at your local Humane Society. You can volunteer to be a dog walker a few times a week and help out the dogs that are waiting for their forever family. You might have to sit through a training program, but that is a small price to pay to help out dogs who would otherwise be lonely sitting in a cage.
There are countless ways to up your exercise game and keep it fun. Just keep thinking and then get moving!
