Aaah, the idea of getting up early and going to the gym to lift weights or run on a treadmill makes me happy. How do you feel about the idea of going to the gym after a long day at work, when you probably just want to go home and relax? Even the idea of working out at home with your own gear can be less than appealing. It can be hard to get and stay motivated to exercise regularly. After all, exercise can sometimes be so boring and repetitive that it feels like a chore.
So how do you keep up with a regular exercise plan? How can you make exercise something you look forward to every day instead of something you feel like you have to force yourself to do? Well, here are some ideas that could make working out a little bit easier and a lot more fun.
Start by going to the gym with a friend. Here, you can challenge each other, help each other, keep each other motivated and on track, and maybe even try to make each other laugh during a set or while jogging on the treadmill to make it kind of a game.
Change up your routine. Try switching up your routine if you go to the gym every day and use the same piece of equipment or if you use the same piece of equipment at home. Change your routine or just the order of your exercises, or don't go to the gym or use your home equipment some of the time. Go to a park with playground equipment in the city. Use the slide, climb the monkey bars, do pull-ups, hang from your knees, or just use your imagination. You don't have to stick to a strict routine all the time. Just go outside and work your muscles.
Do a circuit outside in the park. Some parks have planned circuit courses where you just have to walk or jog to each station and follow the directions. If there isn't a set route, you can jog and walk for a distance, like 200 feet, if there isn't one planned. Jog 200 feet, then stop and do 10 pushups. Walk the next 200 feet, then stop and do 20 abdominal crunches. Finally, jog the last 200 feet and do 10 pull-ups if there is a bar or strong tree branch nearby.
You could ride your bike around your neighbourhood or go hiking on a trail. A good way to get some exercise is to take a walk in the park or around your neighbourhood. Yoga in the park or on the beach is a nice way to work out your body and your mind while relaxing.
Try playing a sport with other people. Team sports like softball, volleyball, tennis, soccer, and so on are available in most cities. And these things not only get you moving, but also put you in situations where you can meet a lot of new people.
When you work out, think about your muscles. Studies have shown that your muscles will respond better if you think about them while you work them. Try to see them working as they tighten and loosen with each repetition.
As you can see, there are lots of ways to make exercise more interesting and fun. You don't have to stick to the usual routine of going to the gym or using your home equipment to do the same exercises every day. The important thing is that you make exercise a part of your daily life in some way, and that you make these habits ones that will last a lifetime.
