Have you ever wondered how people can fall in love with working out? Do you have a lackluster attitude toward exercise, dread it or can’t seem to form a habit of consistently being active?
I know the feeling.
In fact, I’ve lived the feeling. For years I tried without success to start a healthy lifestyle and develop a fitness routine. I knew I lacked a fit physique, strength and even endurance; I would avoid climbing even a couple of flights of stairs because of the discomfort I felt from being out of breath. I highly desired athletic prowess, muscularity and the accomplishment that I knew came along with mastering the consistency and grit required to truly be “fit”. My attempts to create a daily routine were always the same: I would pick out my cutest gym outfit, head to my local gym, flounder around for about an hour and then leave. I would go for one week, or even two, then not return for another six months.
It wasn’t until I completely changed my approach to developing a workout routine that I was able to successfully transition into a regular gym goer, then a fitness instructor, and finally a competitive athlete. Below I share six ways that you too can transition into falling in love with fitness.
1. Get Educated
Having a general understanding of anatomy or the biomechanics behind a particular sport or exercise encourages an investment in fitness. And that investment can generate lasting, anchoring feelings of appreciation. Also, you’ll be able to approach each workout and fitness session differently simply because you understand them more. The additional information to process as you’re being active will keep you engaged session after session, and the days will start to rack up.
2. Get Goals
Think about what you would truly like to achieve, i.e. losing a certain percentage of your body weight, or doing 20 sit-ups in a row. Mapping out your goals provides clarity on where you would like to go. Be specific and break your goals down into smaller sub-goals as needed. This clarity contributes to confidence in your actions, and ultimately associates more positive feelings with your efforts to be active.
3. Get Support
“The tide rises with every single droplet of water.” Join a fitness group, make friends at the gym or share your fitness goal with a supportive loved one. Kind words, smiles and laughs create an association of joy, making you want to go to your spin class, or CrossFit box again and again. Plus, anticipating seeing a friend can act as motivation to stick to your routine on days when fatigue or life’s other distractions may take over.
4. Get Rewarded
When you accomplish a milestone in your fitness journey, reward yourself. Even the smallest goal met deserves celebration. For example, when you complete your fifth gym session in a row or run an additional mile. Give yourself a pat on the back, and consider making unexpected time for your favorite hobby or a relaxing hot bath soak. Loving your new fit lifestyle becomes that much easier with tangible rewards.
5. Get Results
Without a doubt you will absolutely love fitness once you see the your new results. But how does one get results? A well- crafted workout plan, sessions with a personal trainer, or classes with a knowledgeable instructor, combined with consistency over time can give you results you’ll love.
6. Get Reflective
Take time to reflect, look back at how far you’ve come and acknowledge the changes you’ve made toward increasing your fitness level. With a broader perspective and attitude of appreciation, you are more likely to make fitness a lasting fixture in your life. In your reflection assess all the areas of your life that fitness has improved, including physical health, mental health, and social interactions.
Now, truly having a passion for fitness is not quite so far out of reach. Apply these six methods, and soon you’ll be telling everyone about your newest love: fitness.
By: Brittney Anderson
