The Struggles of Being Fit and Healthy – Exercise is Boring
“Working out is boring.”
Huh? Working out is boring? This to me is one of the lamest excuses out there. Where do people get the idea that exercise has to be doing a dull activity, in a place that you hate, on a boring piece of equipment, until you just can’t take the torture one second longer? Let me let you in on a little secret – it doesn’t have to be this way. If a particular workout is boring to you, then STOP DOING IT. No one said that you have to do an activity that you can’t stand for 60 minutes a day in order to get fit. There are a million different activities out there that you can do – you don’t have to limit yourself to the ones that you despise.
This may come as a shock to you, but exercise can be fun. Finding something that you enjoy & look forward to doing will make you excited about working out. You don’t need to waste valuable time plugging & chugging away on a Stairmaster if you really dread doing it. Find something that motivates you to get moving.
Here are some tips to help you find a workout that you enjoy:
Try new classes/exercises. This can be a great way to find what types of exercise you like or dislike. A few months ago I tried a rock climbing for beginners. I was positive that it was something that would be fun, but would hardly be a challenge to me (yes, insert a large head here). To my surprise, the class kicked my butt and my arms, and my abs. I was laughing, having a great time & I got an awesome workout. (PS – have you ever been to a “rock climbing gym”? Wowsa – those people are ripped!!!!) If you typically go to the gym and always hit the treadmill, try something a little different. Most gym offer classes to their members. Try kickboxing, take a Kettlebell class or join in on a Bootcamp session. Who knows? You might just find your new workout passion just by trying a new class.
Think outside of the box. If breaking out your boom box and dancing in your unitard and leg warmers to 80’s music gets your blood pumping – then dance away. Exercise doesn’t have to be limited to the inside of a gym! If you find something that you enjoy & gets you moving, then by all means DO IT. Running in the park like Phoebe, playing tag with your kids (or your dog – don’t judge me), creating your own bootcamp on the jungle gym are all different, unconventional workouts that are going to elevate your heart rate.
Hire a Trainer. Personal Trainers brains are overflowing with ideas for different types of exercises. Let your trainer know your likes and dislikes with exercise and they will come up with some new & fun ideas for your next workout. We know lots of ways to get you moving and can come up with stuff that will be challenging yet enjoyable. 1 to 2 sessions should get you going in the right direction.
GET EXCITED TO MOVE! If you get excited about a particular workout, chances are you will stick to that routine. The key is finding something that motivates you to want to do your workout. For me, shoes are the key. Every time I buy a new pair of running shoes, I can’t wait to use them. All I want to do is run in my new, cute shoes. (Hey – I’m one of those girls with a SEVERE love for cute shoes. I can’t help it…I’m a shoe junkie.) I also get uber excited to workout every time I download new songs on my ipod. Nothing beats fresh, new music to help energize your workout. What works for you?
Challenge yourself. For those of you out there who have always worked out but you’ve lost your passion for exercise, here’s a tip for you. Challenge yourself. Just because you have always been a runner (or whatever you are into), doesn’t mean you have to be “just a runner. ” for the rest of your life. Try training for a sport that incorporates what you are already doing with something new – like a triathlon or a duathon. Heck, you can even try something completely new – like martial arts.
All in all – your perception of exercise is up to YOU. YOU and ONLY YOU decide what to make of it. If you choose to make it fun, it will be. If you want to keep using the excuse that working out is boring, then that is YOUR CHOICE and you have to live (or not) with it. It’s up to you.
