Welcome back to this week’s edition of 2-Minute Tuesdays. Now this week, we are talking to those of you who really don’t feel like exercising. You aren’t into it. You aren’t motivated to do it. You don’t enjoy working out. Whatever the reason, the proverbial love-hate relationship with exercise is more of the latter for you. Here are three things we recommend doing to help you get your workouts in even when you don’t feel like it.
1) Schedule & Plan Your Exercise
Our first tip to help you exercise when you don’t feel like it is to make sure your exercise is scheduled and planned. Putting it into your schedule creates a commitment that will make it more likely that you will follow through with it. Planning your workouts helps take out the decision-making burden in the moment and lets you focus on just doing the exercise. A great way to do this is to hire a personal trainer or to follow along with one of our online workouts in The MAS At-Home Workout Program!
Action Step: Looking for some guidance on what you should be doing with your workouts? Schedule a consultation with us if you are in the Chicagoland area, and if not, check out our Virtual Membership Program and The MAS At-Home Workout Program!
Related: New to exercise? Check out these tips!
2) Find Somebody To Exercise With
Our second tip to help you exercise when you don’t feel like it is to find somebody to exercise with. Having another person present can add at least two ways of making your workouts easier to get in. First, it can add a level of accountability that wasn’t there before. Second, you can help keep eachother distracted from the fact that you aren’t enjoying your workouts. While being focused while you exercise is important for your safety, having somebody there to take your mind off of that fact that you aren’t having any fun can make the workout more enjoyable.
Action Step: Find a coworker, friend, or significant other to exercise with, or find an online group to help keep you accountable. Utilizing technology can definitely come in handy when trying to stay connected while you workout.
Related: Tips for finding a qualified personal trainer
3) Do An Activity You Enjoy
Our third tip to help you exercise when you don’t feel like it is to pick an activity you enjoy doing. While traditional means of exercise such as running or lifting weights may not be your jam, other physical activities might be! Explore activities such as dance classes, rock climbing, ultimate frisbee, and kayaking. There is bound to be something you enjoy doing that will help keep you active, so keep exploring until you find it.
Action Step: Contact your local park district to see what kinds of classes they offer. Also check out websites such as MeetUp.com to see what is going on in your area. Keep searching until you find something you enjoy!