Looking to get fit but hate exercise? Do you get bored easily? Wonder how is it that some people manage to work out every day? With a little planning and creativity, you can make exercise fun! Actually, you don't even need a
gym to get your workout done. From hiking and swimming to pilates, there is more than one way to stay active. The whole point is to get moving and find an activity that you actually enjoy. Also, it's important to set realistic goals rather than starting out with too many expectations. If you're ready for a change, check out these five simple ways to get hooked on exercise:
Keep Your Workouts Short Who says you need to spend long hours in the gym to reap the benefits of exercise? The best workouts out there are short and intense. For instance, one minute of intense exercise can be just as effective as 45 minutes of steady state cardio. In a 12-week study, subjects who engaged in sprint interval training for one minute a day experienced the sane improvements in cardio-metabolic health as those who exercised at a moderate pace for 50 minutes per session. The more intense your workout is, the more calories you burn and the more your metabolic rate increases.
Listen to an Audio Book Do you remember how it feels when you find a good book and you just can't put it down? Next tine you hit the gym or go running, listen to a book on tape. It's a foolproof way to get hooked on exercise! You can do the same with podcasts. This habit will ward off boredom and give you a reason to stick to your workouts.
Try Groups Fitness One of the things that make group fitness so popular is the social aspect. When you join a fitness group, you're likely to make friends and meet people who share your goals. This will give you some accountability and reduce boredom. Additionally, the energy of the group will keep you going and boost your motivation. After all, you don’t want to be the person who comes last and leaves early.
Track Your Workouts Remember why you started and keep track of your progress. Write down your muscle gains and weight loss, describe how exercise makes you feel, and compare your results once every few weeks. When you're ready to quit, ask if you really want to start all over again. Keep a fitness log and make a habit out of tracking your workouts.
Put Exercise at the Top of Your List Just like everything else, exercise takes commitment and discipline. If you don't take your workouts seriously, you'll never make time for hitting the gym. It all comes down to your priorities. Think of exercise as an investment in your health and well-being. Working out for just a few minutes a day can change your life for the better. A few weeks from now on, you'll be leaner and fitter. Your body will become more efficient at burning calories, your energy will increase, and your stress levels will drop. These aspects alone should be reason enough to make exercise a priority. Not to mention that your risk of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity will decrease. So, what are you waiting for?