17 May DON’T FEEL LIKE WORKING OUT?

TIPS THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR MIND

You don’t need  to do strength training, or go for a run or stand out with the training group. etc. to be active and improve your health.

There are endless ways to make activity and movement part of our lives on a regular basis. This will help you to have more energy,to  better manage stress,  to  reduce the risk of disease, to look good,  to be in a good mood… But unfortunately,  studies show that exercise is not a regular habit for  a very high percentage of the world’s population and many of them say they that  do not like it.

Don’t you feel like exercising often? How can you stop “hating” exercise? Here are some tips to help you incorporate physical activity into  your life and even learn how to enjoy it.

Finding your what you enjoy doing

The first tip to start enjoying the activity and movement, being active is being able to do what you enjoy, that is, instead of being forced to do something that you don’t like,  look for options that adapt to you, and your personality. 

For example,  if you are an independent person, look to perform individual activated ones such as going for a run or a walk, swimming… but if you are a  sociable person, look to perform activities of social environment such as joining dance classes, creating a hiking group with friends,  sign up for group activities or join teams participating in collective sports; these can be good options depending on your personality.

It is also very important to look at timings; if you are not a morning person, it is quite unlikely that you will get up early in the morning to do a CrossFit class for example.

The type of activity is also one of the factors closely related to personality, look for an activity that you like to do, that you enjoy and that going to do so that  it is not an obligation. For  example, if you like to be in harmony and peace, you probably enjoy a Yoga or Pilates or relaxation class more than a boxing class.

Step one, find what you enjoy. 

Creating the habit – time

Incorporating an activity into our daily lives and creating a habit takes time, this does not happen from one day to the next, it needs time and you have to give it that time. 

One way to achieve this is to always try physical activity around the same time, or at least in the same time slot (morning or afternoon). That activity can become an addition, but in a positive way that will help create the habit and once you’ve created it, you’ll realize when you’re not exercising and end up missing it.

Step two, give yourself time.

Voluntarily

The way of incorporating the activity  does not have to be forced, it has to be done voluntarily, so your schedule and lifestyle are not affected,. It mustn’t be a mandatory task, but that that activity is fully integrated into your life without having to give up other things that you like or enjoy.

For example, you can be active with the family, instead of going out for a walk, you can go out as a family so everyone benefits. Or for example, if you need to call your best friend on the phone, call her and take a walk while you call her.

Third step, incorporate activity and movement into your life without even realizing it. 

Divide your sessions

It is essential to organise yourself to be able to perform physical activity and put these exercise sessions inside the free gaps or the gaps that best come to you so it is best to divide the sessions in two, three or four times a week. Perform short, enjoyable sessions that at the end of the week make a set of at least 150-200 minutes of activity. Remember,  it all counts! Walking to work, doing HIIT training (short,  but intense) in the mornings, climbing the stairs of the house, getting off before your metro stop and walking home… there are a thousand options! Get organised and you’ll find a way to be more active.

Step four, something is always better than nothing. 

Consistency is the key

We’ve all skipped some training, or some session or haven’t moved off the couch in a whole day. This happens to everyone, but the key to this is that, the next day, you  get back on track again, keeping on track  and  continuing with the  habit.

Step five, don’t give up!