Need to make exercise less blah. Here are 7 ways to make exercise fun:
Make it a partnership
Exercising with a friend can make sure you get up and going even on days you don't want to. Have multiple partners if possible, so that on days one of you are sick, you can still get out!
Take the Dog for a walk
People who walk their dogs walk farther, faster, and more often than those that don't. Not only is it healthier for you, but pooch gets a workout too! And what dog doesn't just love bonding time with their person! Worried about the rain or snow? Use that time for balance, speed, and agility training.
Do what you love
You don't do your exercise if it's work. Dance, garden, play, bike, hike... make exercise fun and enjoyable and you'll keep doing it. Just be consistent. If you garden, find something else that you enjoy during the non-gardening months.
Listen to good music
Classical, jazz, and complex music stimulates parts of our brains that release endorphins, simulate growth, and provides healing. Rock, country, and elevator music provides nothing. Rap, R&B, and heavy metal music actually depresses our brains, muscles, and healing abilities. Choose your music wisely and you can expand your mind and body.
Keep it small
Set small goals and review often. If you're just starting out with exercise, set a 1 week goal. Once you accomplish that, set a 2 week goal. Never set an exercise goal longer than 6 months. It will seem impossible and your brain will find every excuse to get out of the work. Plus, you can reward yourself more often with smaller goals, and that will keep you more motivated.
Be destructive
Breaking things, digging, demolition, weeding and other physical activities like those burn more and provide good feelings more than just a plain gym workout. Now, we can't do these all the time (or even most of the time) but it's a way to keep your exercise fun. Plus, destroying things seems to release a unique set of endorphins in our brains that make us happy for a longer period of time.
Be creative
This is easy to do more often. Building and creating new work is a healthy and productive way to workout. It gives us feelings of accomplishment and pride, which can go a long way to keeping the weight off for good.
