There are a lot of barriers that keep someone from getting in the habit of working out, from negative thoughts around their fitness, struggling to develop a growth mindset, everything leads to whether or not you actually enjoy your workout.
When you enjoy doing something, whether it be workout out, a hobby or even a job that makes you feel fulfilled, a lot of good things are happening to improve your wellness. It is easier to make something a habit when you enjoy it, and that sensation of joy boosts mental health and mood.
Building habits to create joy are what life is all about, learn to enjoy your workouts so that it becomes a fulfilling activity that you look forward to doing. To enjoy your workout, find elements that work for you such as combining it with other healthy habits, taking your workout outside and most of all listening to your body and energy levels.
Find The Right Time To Workout
When people think about the right time of day to work out, they often consider how it affects their workout goals. While this is something to consider, more importantly, when is the most accessible time for you to work out so that it doesn't cause any stress in your day?
If you are looking forward to your workout break, it will be easier to make it a habit. Also, pay attention to your energy levels and when you feel the most self-motivated to work out. For example, while working out in the morning is a great way to summon focus and concentration if you just aren't a morning person and it makes you feel miserable, find a better time that feels good.
Find a time when you feel excited to move your body, and it works for your schedule without making excuses due to different commitments.
Listen To Your Body
Many workout programs require a certain mental state in which you are dedicated to progressing and getting stronger. While this is a good thing, if you struggle to enjoy working out then this kind of program isn't right for you just yet because you need to listen to your body instead of what a program tells you to do.
For example, if you are supposed to do an intensive HIIT workout today, but feel tired and don't have the energy for a high-impact workout, skip it! Instead, modify the workout to be low-impact or skip the gym entirely and go for a bike ride.
You should feel capable and empowered to move your body, it should not feel like a chore. Enjoy exercising by finding the right sports that you look forward to doing, for many people that isn't the gym at all but playing on a team, roller skating, going for walks, or doing yoga.
Enjoy moving your body to look forward to fitness time, you can also combine it with enjoyable habits that support exercise.
Combine Exercise With A Healthy Habit
For busy people who don't have enough time in the day, find ways to combine workout time with something else you enjoy. You can take your workout outside to spend some time getting vitamin D, do this especially if you work from home or at a desk all day.
Alternatively, listen to a podcast or an audiobook while working out to dual workout time as learning time. That way you are supporting your workout with something else that you enjoy, getting the most out of your spare time as it is precious.
Another healthy habit could be rewarding yourself before or after doing exercise with a post-workout smoothie or tea break before going back to your day. That moment after moving your body and then enjoying something delicious is a great moment to savor.
Reframe Negative Thoughts
A barrier that many folks don't like to talk about in terms of working out is the negative mindset they carry surrounding their fitness level. It is normal to not like something that you don't feel good at.
But working out or learning a new sport is just like any other skill, you have to practice it. When you feel tired or sore after working out, that is normal because your body is getting stronger.
Try to reframe the negative thoughts that flood your mind by switching to a growth mindset. You aren't weak, you are just getting stronger, you aren't bad at working out, you can modify a move to feel more empowered.
Get in the right mindset to enjoy moving your body, and whatever outcome it has today whether it be taking it slow, modifying or going hard. Respect your energy levels and the motivation to progress will come naturally.
