Why is it important to feel passionately enthusiastic about the type of physical activity you do? Isn’t exercise just a necessary part of life (at least if you value being healthy)? Do it, or don’t do it. Loving it doesn’t factor in.
Except it does. I really believe that when you discover a form of exercise you feel excited by, you have found the key to a lifelong healthy habit.
Exercise isn’t something to be endured. Nobody is forcing you to touch running shoes or dumbbells you don’t want to. It’s perfectly possible to get all the benefits of exercise without ever setting foot inside a gym.
Exercise is something to be enjoyed. And when you find “the one” – the type of activity that you’ll look forward to with a smile – you’ll be able to stick with it for life.
Step 1: have a goal that excites you
The process of discovering “your” exercise starts with setting a great goal. By that I mean one that is specific, and meaningful to you. Too many people simply say they want to get fit, or they know they “should” exercise. That’s not a good basis for developing a lifelong love of fitness.
Use your imagination and think big. Do you want to do a specific sport? Achieve a challenge or event? What type of exercise has always fascinated or intrigued you?
There are no rules. You can get the health benefits of exercise from walking, climbing, running, lifting weights, riding horses, throwing things, dancing… the list goes on and on.
Step 2: the most enjoyable way to reach your goal
Once you’ve set your goal, think about the most enjoyable way to achieve it. Obviously if you want to cycle LEJOG, you’re going to have to do a lot of cycling. But even for a sport-specific goal like that, you can still throw in some extras to keep things fresh (different forms of cycling, hot yoga, resistance training).
And if your goal is about getting in shape or being healthier, the fitness world is your oyster. You could do any combination of different forms of exercise and achieve your goal. So think about what you’ll enjoy most. Outdoor exercise or indoor? Cardio, weights, relaxing, energising? Alone or with others?
Step 3: dedicate yourself to progress
The final stage in building a lifelong love of fitness is to never stop learning. Don’t get stuck in a rut. Learn new skills, enter races or events, or set mini-goals along the way. Try new versions of your form of exercise as they inevitably develop. Go on activity holidays. Join clubs and make friends.
Think about other forms of exercise that will complement your main sport or activity. Perhaps tennis is your thing. What else can you do over the years to keep your tennis-playing body strong, mobile, and healthy? This might end up looking like tennis, with a side of resistance training, Pilates, and bodyweight HIIT sessions.
When we associate training with being able to do more of what we love, it becomes much more interesting and enjoyable.
Keep moving your body
The point to all of this is long-term health and happiness. We all know the many benefits of regular exercise, and they are even more significant when exercise is part of your routine. A non-negotiable, part of your identity.
Doing exercise you really love means you’ll prioritise it and do it more often. The knock-on effects to your physical and mental wellbeing are obvious.
So perhaps it’s less about falling in love with exercise, and more about falling in love with moving your body. Doesn’t that sound like a good goal to have?
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