Some of us thrive doing physical activity, we live for the gym and the next athletic adventure. And then some of us would rather be doing literally anything else as long as we are not getting hot and sweaty. If you are in the latter group, this is for you.
While every sport may not be your thing, it is important to find the activity that you enjoy the most. There are those who enjoy running long distances, hiking the tallest peaks, or lifting the most weight. If that’s not you, that’s okay! Taking a daily walk, practicing yoga, gardening, having a dance party with your kids, or attending your local gym’s spin class may be more your speed. Activity, regardless of the flavor, is beneficial to all.
Set yourself up for physical activity success by the following:
- Find an activity you get excited about – it’s far easier to crush a workout if you are having fun.
- Set realistic goals – if you don’t enjoy running, having a goal of running a marathon may not be for you. Try smaller goals, like getting active for at least 30 minutes five days a week.
- Get the right gear – it’s rather difficult to get moving if you don’t have the right clothing, shoes, and accessories.
- Take note of how you feel after a workout – there’s no better feeling than the post sweat endorphins. That feeling will likely come each time you exercise, how cool is that!
- Eat in a way that reflects your goals – it is far easier to get motivated for a workout if you fuel your body right. No one enjoys a run after a night of pizza and beers.
- Write down your victories – seeing progress can take a while, but you might be able to run a little faster and further or lift a little bit more each week. Write it down and put it somewhere handy if you are ever feeling discouraged.
- Find a playlist, book, or podcast you are excited about – getting sucked into a great story makes the workout minutes go by much faster.
- Remember, we move our bodies out of celebration of what it can do vs. as a punishment for eating extra calories.
Notice how none of the tips are about reducing body weight? While exercise is an important part of your weight loss journey, every body benefits from regular movement. And the benefits are far greater than our relationship with the scale.
