How to Make Your Workouts More Enjoyable!
Do you feel joy when you hear the word "workout"? If you don't no worries. There's a lot of hype to absolutely love working out so extremely that I feel we've lost the joy that should be part of your workout each and every time! I don't know anyone who can genuinely say that they LOVE doing crossfit 7 days a week! If you're out there, that's superhuman. But for all the people I know and work with, getting a workout in every day can be tiresome in and of itself...before you even mention the actual workout, itself. But, there's no doubt about it that regular movement is so healthy for our bodies, minds, and souls. But only if we're doing it with joy. That's why I want to share with you today how to make your workouts more enJOYable!
1. WORKOUT IN A WAY THAT WORKS WITH YOUR BODY.
The reality is, we're not all made with runner's bodies which is totally OK! You don't have to run 3 miles to have it count as a workout. Walking can be a great way that all bodies can get movement in and can be so therapeutic. If you enjoy swimming, find a gym with a pool or, better yet, a friend with a pool!Your workouts are going to be so much more enjoyable if you stop and take time to think about the movement that feels best for you, that feels more natural.
2. FIND A FRIEND TO WORKOUT WITH.
Moving and exercising with a friend can not only be motivating, but also so life-bringing. It combines social health with physical health which are both important to all other aspects of your body's well being. Make getting together with friends something that's regularly part of your schedule. And, when able, turn that outing into something active like going for a walk, biking, running, or even playing a pick-up sport together.
3. ALLOW YOURSELF TO HAVE REAL REST DAYS.
A common misconception I hear is that rest days still have to have some sort of exercise. Which again, yes, exercise is beneficial for our bodies. But at any extreme it becomes unhealthy. And if your body is telling you it needs a day to sit on the couch and binge watch New Girl then that's ok! You don't have to feel guilty about that. There is benefit to having a real and true rest day some days. So honor that.
4. LISTEN TO YOUR BODY WITH WHAT WORKOUT YOU DO.
Along those same lines, listen to your body with what workout you do when you are wanting to exercise. Not every day is meant to be a hard core cardio day. Some days a gentle walk or yoga session is all you need. A common thing I hear is that people feel they have to work out so extremely when they are exercising their bodies. There's the misconception that in order for a workout to "count" it has to be such and such intensity. But that mentality is a sure fire way to kill the joy that can be associated with exercise.
5. YOUR WORKOUT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE 30 MINUTES TO COUNT.
This is a lie I definitely found myself believing for many years of my life! I felt that in order for my workout to even be worth doing it had to be at least 30 minutes or even more! But one thing I've come to realize is that even if I'm short for time and only have 10 or 15 minutes to do something quick, or even if I am only feeling like a short workout, that's ok and far better than not doing anything if that's what my body is craving!
6. MAKE YOUR WORKOUT MORE ABOUT YOUR MENTAL HEALTH THAN YOUR PHYSICAL.
This is something I've started to practice with my own workouts. I focus more on the mental health benefits instead of the physical, which is the default for a lot of people. It's easy to only think of the calorie-burn or fat loss and forget all about the benefits of stress reduction, mental clarity, empowerment, and productivity that exercise can bring. Next time you workout, try this simple change in your thoughts and let me know how that improves your joy with working out!
7. WEAR WORKOUT CLOTHES THAT YOU FEEL GOOD IN!
Feeling good in your skin is important. But it's definitely helped by feeling good in your clothes. If you're wearing clothes that make you feel empowered and strong and fit your body well, you're going to enjoy working out so much more compared to clothes that are tight and uncomfortable or unflattering. Not saying you need a whole new wardrobe of clothes for working out in. But just a couple of pieces you really love can really step up your joy and motivation with moving your body.
8. GET OUTSIDE AS OFTEN AS YOU CAN!
I recently quit my gym membership because I just couldn't stand being indoors and working out! And though I know that's not the case for everyone, there's something extra that comes with working out outdoors that you just don't get from being inside. So, as often as you can, get outside! Look around at nature and have fun! I hope these suggestions help and motivate you to add more joy to your workout.Now I want to hear from you!
How do you add more joy to your workout? What works for you to keep you motivated to move your body?