How to make exercise fun: Ten ways to make exercise fun

You want to get in shape but you dread going to the gym. In fact, you dread exercise period. You don’t like to sweat and, even though you know it’s good for you, you’ll book an appointment for a root canal before you’ll make one with a personal trainer.

So, what do you do? How do you keep your body fit and trim when you’re convinced that you’re allergic to exercise?

Being active doesn’t have to be a chore. If you don’t like to run and you think that the only way to stay at a healthy weight is to spend half hour a day on a treadmill, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Of course you’re not going to stick with it.

The key to incorporating exercise into your lifestyle is to make it fun. If it’s something you look forward to, you’re more likely to do it. You’re probably thinking that there’s no way you’d ever look forward to exercise, and if you continue to look at it like you always have then you’re right. But, now it’s time for a new way of thinking.

What if you were told that spending half hour a day playing games is good for your health? Would you do it? Chances are that you would because it sounds like fun. Remember when you were a child and you jumped rope or played tag for hours on end? You can get that same type of enjoyment out of being active again if you choose to. How?

Here are some ideas that may re-ignite your childlike passion to go and go until you just can’t go anymore:

1. Do it with a friend. In this hurried up world, it’s often easier to justify time with friends if you’re doing something productive in the process. Work up a sweat together while you solve life’s problems.
2. Join a group class. This is great because you don’t have to start with a friend, but chances are good you’ll end with one. Check your local recreation center or gym for options.
3. Play a sport. Workouts don’t have to be confined to exercise machines and weights. Play basketball, soccer or racquetball. Before you know it, you’ve got in a workout – and probably some laughs too.
4. Listen to audio books while you exercise. This is a great way to pass the time if you’re a clock watcher. Get engrossed in a thriller or mystery while getting your heart pumping and muscles strong.
5. Buy new workout clothes. Nothing is more fun than showing your weight loss progress in cute new clothes. Flaunt it, baby! You earned it!
6. Chart your progress. If you were only able to do three minutes on the stair-stepper when you started exercising and now you can do twenty, seeing that progress motivates you to keep going. Aim to continue to beat your old records.
7. Add variety. Even if you love to dance, if you do it every day to stay in shape it will become a chore. Commit to trying something new every two or three months. Not only will you solve the boredom issue, your body will be in better shape because you’ve worked it differently.
8. Take your measurements versus weighing yourself. Measurements are more accurate than a scale because it doesn’t account for body fat, water weight or muscle weight. Of course, you’ll feel it when your clothes become loose, but tracking your measurements is as motivating as charting your progress.
9. Listen to music or watch TV while you work out. If you like machines like the treadmill or elliptical, but find that you get bored, TV shows and music playlists make great distracters. Of course, if you start singing “Who Let the Dogs Out” at the top of your lungs with your headphones on, you’ll probably be a great distracter to others also.
10. Relax after each activity session for just five minutes. Try to find a place that is quiet and allows you to focus your thoughts and clear your head at the end of your workout. You’ll start to look forward to this time to rejuvenate and just be. Pat yourself on the back for all that you’ve accomplished. You deserve it!

There are many more things you can do to keep being active fun and exciting. What are some things that you’ve tried that others may benefit from trying also?