Exercise is quite trendy at the moment, isn’t it? Fashionable shops are selling activewear and ranges of fitness equipment, and the cool kids are all wearing Fitbits and shunning nights out in favor of drinking water and competing to see who can do the most steps. But, what if you hate exercise? You know that you should be moving more and exercising to stay fit and healthy, but you just don’t enjoy it? What if you want to be healthy, but the idea of going to the gym fills you with cold dread? Well, that’s ok too. There are plenty of things that you can do, without becoming a fitness freak or a gym bunny, that will help you keep fit, stay in shape and live a long and healthy life.
Try Something Different
Not everyone enjoys every sport and fitness plan. But, that doesn’t mean that there isn’t something for you. Try new things, get involved in a team sport, take some classes at your local fitness center, go hiking, cycle, have a go at something more unusual like fencing or roller derby, or take up a completely unrelated hobby, like nature photography, which would get you moving more without you realizing.
You are never going to stick to a plan if you hate what you are doing. You can tell yourself that you are going to go to the gym three times a week, but if you don’t enjoy it, you’ll soon start making excuses. Instead, take your time to try some different things until you find something that you love doing, and remember, if you are moving, it counts!
Walk More
Walking is one of the easiest and best exercises out there. If you don’t enjoy exercising because of the physical exertion, you might find that you absolutely love a long, relaxing walk. Try taking your dog for longer walks, pushing your kids around the park or just walking to work in the morning. A long walk every day can be more beneficial than three 30-minute gym sessions.
Treat Yourself
Treating ourselves makes us happy. If exercise means you get more treats, you might be keener to do it. Buy yourself some new workout clothes and shoes and click here for what you need to make your workouts more comfortable.
Make Small Changes to Your Routine
Walking isn’t the only small addition that can make a big difference. Remember, every single step counts, and if it’s a step that you wouldn’t normally take, it’s increased activity. So, stop waiting for the elevator and start climbing the stairs, use the bathroom further away when you are at work, and drink more water so that you need to go more often. Do a few simple stretches when you get out of bed in the morning and go for a quick walk on your lunch break. You might be surprised what a big difference small changes can make to your health and fitness.
Look Online
One of the main reasons that people hate exercise is anxiety. They don’t like the idea of working out in front of other people. So, don’t. Look for some great workout videos that you can do at home online.
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