Do you hate to exercise? Here are some tips to build healthy habits.
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DO YOU HATE TO EXERCISE?
You're not alone if you dislike exercise. Or maybe you just think that exercise is boring. Whether you have been diagnosed with cancer or you are just trying to build healthier habits; regular physical activity can improve your muscle strength and boost your endurance. The good news is, you don't have to exercise until you’re soaked in sweat or every muscle aches to make a big difference to your health.
Exercise not only helps you live longer — it helps you live better. Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability and stamina for everyday activities. Here are the top ten benefits of physical activity.
Improve your memory and brain function (all age groups).
Protect against many chronic diseases.
Aid in weight management.
Lower blood pressure and improve heart health.
Improve your quality of sleep.
Reduce feelings of anxiety and depression.
Combat cancer-related fatigue.
Improve joint pain and stiffness.
Maintain muscle strength and balance.
Increase life span.
Still find yourself resisting the idea of regular physical activity? Try the ideas below, to make the task of exercising less daunting.
Listen to music, a podcast, or an audiobook while you walk.
Get competitive while playing tennis or another sport.Take a dance class.
Take photographs or birdwatch on a nature hike.
Meet new people at a yoga class or fitness center.
Watch a favorite movie or tv show while on the treadmill.
Chat with a friend while stretching or walking.
Play golf. Leave the Cart. Walk the Course.
Walk or play with your pet - (no pet? Volunteer at a shelter or rescue).
Find an exercise buddy, try activities you've never tried before.
Still hate the idea of exercise? Change your perspective, sometimes a change of habit is necessary.
Is Something Holding You Back? Identify what it is you dislike. Is it the exertion, the sweating, the societal implications of fitness or body issues? Pay attention to your response, but also experiment, with the goal of developing a pleasant routine. Once you identify the part of the process you dislike, you can make adjustments to your routine.
Are you Making Excuses? Do you have 10 excuses ready when workout time comes along? Excuses are rationalizations we make to ourselves about people, events, and circumstances. They are invented reasons we create to defend our behavior, to postpone taking action or simply as a means of neglecting responsibility. The fact remains that more excuses you make, the harder it will be to motivate yourself. A way to combat this is trying making goals instead of excuses.
Tailor it to Personality, Make It Fun Just because it’s fun and has a social element doesn't mean it can't "count" as exercise. There is no such thing a “real” exercise. A huge array of activities can make it possible for everyone to find a routine that they genuinely enjoy.
Make It a Non-Negotiable Part Life Whatever the activity, make sure it works for these three things: lifestyle, routine, and budget. Make it an anchor habit, which means to schedule it into your daily life as a non-negotiable, like brushing your hair or dressing, so that it’s harder to break from the routine than it is to stick to it.
Make a strategic exercise plan and remember: Don’t start with something big. Instead start with what feels good. That’s the best recipe for success!