Exercise is important for overall health. Exercise can help control or cure chronic disease, aid in weight loss and even improve your mood. Finding the motivation to exercise regularly can be difficult for some people. Learning to really like the sport is important to help you stay motivated over time. The link between motivation and exercise has long been studied, and the results are often similar. To truly love sports, one must shift focus away from the product or outcome of the sport, and learn to like it for oneself. Changing the way you exercise and how you perceive exercise can help you enjoy it more and even begin to like it.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Making Sports Enjoyable
Step 1. Choose a sport that you really enjoy
Many people immediately think of sports as "uninteresting" or "unpleasant." Choosing an activity that you really enjoy doing can help you start liking the sport.
- Think outside the box when it comes to sports. If going to the gym, running or lifting weights doesn't excite you, don't force yourself to do these activities.
- Consider your interests and find physical activities that match them. Do you enjoy being outdoors? Try hiking, walking/running in the park, rollerblading, swimming, playing tennis, or kayaking. Do you enjoy being with people and socializing? Try taking a boot camp class, or a class at the fitness center, such as Spin, Zumba, or Aqua, or invite your friends to gather for a game of flag football or basketball. If you prefer a calm, relaxing exercise, try taking a yoga, pilates, or tai chi class.
Step 2. Do it slowly
Again, exercise can be any activity you want. If exercising at a faster, more intense tempo doesn't feel good, choose an activity that is slower or at a lower intensity.
- Walking is one of the oldest types of exercise. Walking burns calories, increases your heart rate, and has been linked to a variety of health benefits. Walk outdoors instead of using a treadmill.
- The same is true for all types of sports. Don't feel compelled to do intense exercise. Don't feel guilty about doing low-intensity exercise either.
Step 3. Make exercise fun
Sometimes, physical activity can feel monotonous or boring. Make your sport interesting by making it more fun.
- Listen to audiobooks while exercising. Download audiobooks or podcasts with your phone. Listen to a good plot or story while sweating.
- If possible, try reading a newspaper, a good book or a magazine while exercising.
- If you can, chat with a friend or family while you exercise.
Step 4. Alternate exercise
Doing the same type of exercise every day several times a week can quickly become tedious. Keeping your routine interesting can help you enjoy your workout.
- Incorporate various types of exercise into your weekly routine. Alternate between strength and cardiovascular training daily.
- Also do various types of cardiovascular exercise. Maybe you can switch from a dance class to a walk, or alternate between biking and swimming.
- Working out in groups is a fun way to change up your routine. Plus, instructors usually hold different classes each time to get a change of pace. Find out what classes the gym or community center offers in your area.
Step 5. Write down the benefits of exercise
There are many benefits of sticking to an exercise routine on a consistent basis. Writing down and reviewing it daily or weekly can help you learn to appreciate the benefits exercise has for your mind, body, and spirit.
- Exercise can have a profoundly positive impact on overall health. Think of benefits such as: maintaining a healthier weight, lowering blood sugar, improving cholesterol and triglyceride levels, lowering blood pressure, or strengthening the heart.
- Regular exercise has also been shown to improve your mood, make you more focused, increase energy for the day, and help you sleep better at night.
- In addition to writing about the benefits of exercise, try to imagine them. Take a few moments a day to imagine how great you'll feel after your workout. Imagine feeling stronger, healthier, refreshed, calm, focused, and/or fitter. Imagine when it was your clothes that would fit better!
Step 6. Take a break
Sometimes, to love sports, you really need to take some time off.
- Whether it's a break from an injury or a needed mental break from exercising, it's okay to take a few days to take a break from your usual routine. Sometimes, this period of time can help your body and mind get energized and ready for a new routine.
- You may need to include light, very low-intensity activities just to keep your habit going. For example, instead of going to the gym in the morning, take a long walk.
Part 2 of 2: Stay Motivated with Your Sports
Step 1. Define goals
Setting regular goals for yourself can help keep you motivated to exercise. This can help you have something to work for. Make sure your goals are SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For example, "I want to lose two pounds by the end of the month," or "I want to run a half-distance marathon in the city next year."
- Write down goals for yourself. Maybe you want to keep a journal of your goals or stick them on the fridge. Let friends and family who care about you know about your goals. When you talk about what you're doing, chances are, you'll want to keep doing it.
- Set short and long term goals. These goals will help keep you motivated over a longer period of time. Plus, achieving shorter goals along the way can be fun and energize you.
- Some examples of goals include: running for your first 5k race, hitting 10,000 steps every day of the week, being physically active every day for a month or running 1.5km non-stop.
Step 2. Give yourself a gift
Actually achieving your goals will not only be encouraging, it's also fun to set tempting rewards as you progress.
- You can define small gifts that are not too expensive when achieving short-term or small goals. You can choose a bigger and more profitable reward that is already determined when a bigger, longer-term goal is achieved.
- Examples include: movie tickets, dinner out or five new songs for your playlist. Have a spa day for yourself, a new workout outfit or new shoes as you reach your long-term goals.
Step 3. Find a gym buddy
Having a partner to take care of the responsibilities of exercising together is a very good thing. You are more likely to continue working on your exercise if you have plans to meet someone to exercise.
Step 4. Make an appointment with a personal trainer
If you're not sure where to start or just want a little guidance on how to reach your goals, consider working with a personal trainer. Many gyms provide free sessions with one of the trainers when you sign up. He can guide you appropriately and tell you what exercise to do to reach your fitness goals.
Personal trainers also serve as partners to maintain responsibility
Step 5. Don't feel bad about skipping the occasional workout
No matter how much you love exercise or how motivated you are, there will be days, once in a while, when you're too busy or too tired to stick to your usual exercise schedule.
- Skipping an occasional exercise schedule (or two or three times) is no big deal. Allow yourself to skip your schedule and get out of your usual routine.
- Focus on the benefits of the lost time. Maybe you get some much-needed extra sleep or can spend more time with your family.
- Try not to feel guilty or blame yourself for not staying on track. It's okay to get off track and skip your workout. If you can, do your routine again.
Tips
- Consult your doctor before starting any exercise program. Follow your body too; Stop exercising if you experience pain, discomfort or shortness of breath.
- Take it slow as you learn to like the sport and don't expect miracles to happen overnight. This is a learning process; You need time to turn years of negative inner talk into positivity.
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