I have often heard friends, acquaintances- and sometimes clients!- say that they hate exercise. They always ask me “How can you stay so motivated? Don’t you just hate exercise? Aren’t you tired of it?” While this is not usually a promising sign from a prospective client, I can understand how exercise has been,for most people, a chore of drudgery. I happen to be lucky enough to love exercise. It has always been a part of my life since I played high school sports. For those of you who have not had the advantage of having exercise in your life for a long time, you may see exercise as a punishment- a burden. BUT, I do believe we can learn how to turn this mindset- this aversion to exercise- into a joy!
First and foremost, our sedentary lifestyles have made exercise an absolute necessity. Like brushing your teeth, or taking a shower- exercise just has to be something you do for your overall health and longevity. So- the first step is to realize that NOT exercising is NOT an option if you want to live a normal, healthy life. If you truly do not care about how you look, how you feel, or how long you live, then stop reading right now and go sit on the couch. For the rest of you:
– Find a type of exercise you can learn to enjoy. If you try to implement a type of exercise you truly detest- you will not be successful. For example, riding a bike can be fun,easy and safe if you choose the right route to bike. If you choose a safe, wide street to bike on, you’ll find it eases fear about road riding. Always wear a helmet- never wear headphones. Be alert and take your time. We are not talking racing- just pedaling around!
-Exercise does not have to be hurtful. Start with just walking. A walk- whether on a warm spring day or a beautiful snowy day- is a true joy. Get out and enjoy nature- breath the fresh air, get some sunlight and walk at a leisurely pace.
– Do not fear the exertion you sometimes may feel with some types of exercise like weight training or jogging. If you are careful and progress slowly, your body will readily adapt to exercise. The human body is MEANT to be challenged and exerted within limits- it CAN take it! If during an exercise session you do feel overexerted-the solution is easy- just stop!
– Create positive self- talk around exercise. When I think about going for a run-I often think of the difficult parts only. Sometimes I have to say to myself – “I’ll just go out and see how I do. I can always stop if I am tired.” REMEMBER- you will ALWAYS feel better after you exercise- always. Keep this in the forefront of your mind- and not the negative.
– Make exercise a daily habit by scheduling it in just as you would any other aspect of you day. Once you have developed the habit- it takes three weeks or so- it will become as natural as taking a shower.
– Find a buddy to exercise with. Just make sure they are AS motivated as you and that you are not having to play the “personal trainer” to keep them on track. Having someone to exercise with is great- but not if they are unmotivated.
There are many worse things in life than exercising- visits to the dentist and grocery shopping are two that come to my mind. So, if you are not currently exercising, the tips above may help to “reframe” your negative mindset. If you can find a type of exercise that is flexible, easy to stick with, and makes you feel great during and after, you are much more likely to find success. And, if you miss a day- or a week- so what! Just pick up where you left off and move forward. Good luck!