Exercise is crucial for good health; however, many of us find it hard to stick to a regular exercise routine. The key to incorporating exercise into your daily life is changing your mindset to see it as an enjoyable and irresistible part of your day.
The Appeal Of Exercise
Understanding the underlying motives that incite people to exercise can provide useful insights. Many people initially begin exercising because they know it’s good for their health, but this alone is not usually enough of a reason to keep exercising. Exercise becomes more tempting when the positive effects of it can be felt, such as feeling strong, energetic, or confident.
Enjoyment of the exercise itself, rather than just participating in it because it’s the right thing to do, makes it more likely one will continue. Studies show that when women focus on developing skill and competence in their exercise, they enjoy it more than simply comparing themselves with others in the class or viewing it as a competition. Furthermore, research indicates that the social aspect of exercising is an even more important motivator for some people to continue their exercise routine.
Why You Don’t Like to Exercise
Some people tend to focus on the negative aspects of exercising, such as feeling too tired, insecure about how to do particular exercises, not seeing the expected results, or having given up a previous exercise routine.
Finding New Encouragement
A way to change negative attitudes towards exercising is to focus on how it can build self-confidence, enhance friendships, improve appearance, do well in competition, or beat previous personal bests. For many, feeling a passion and enthusiasm for exercise is needed to maintain a lasting routine.
Playtime
Visualizing exercise as “playtime” can help create excitement around the activity. You can start by thinking back to your childhood when playing outdoors was exciting and enjoyable. Try to remember and experience the emotional passion of playtime as a child.
Begin referring to exercise as playtime, instead of a chore or a workout. Create a positive atmosphere during your exercise sessions by listening to your favorite feel-good music or connecting with friends as you engage in group exercise activities.
Scheduling Exercise
Plan to have at least 45 minutes of playtime three to four days each week. Focusing on creating an enjoyable atmosphere around your exercise sessions will help you successfully incorporate this important activity into your life and feel the benefits of a regular exercise routine. The key is to enjoy the process and keep searching for new ways to make your exercise routine enjoyable so that you can sustain it long-term.
