| By: Karen Lugay
I know I don't need to tell you that anything that is fun will hold and keep your attention, and would therefore be more likely to be included in you life on a long-term basis. We love fun things because they make us happy, and we want to continue doing things which make us happy.
So why do so many of us continue to subject ourselves to "rote-routine" exercise programs that are non-engaging, flat and boring. I have never known boredom as ever succeeding in convincing anyone into doing anything for very long? Boredom in anything, especially exercise, is unnecessary and it should be avoided by all means necessary! Here are a few reasons why from now on "fun in exercise" could be your new motto:
1. It gives you the impetus to do something that you probably wanted to try out, and now you finally have an excuse to try it out. Eg. Tennis, volley ball, dancing, etc
2. It puts you in the mode of wanting to do the activity which you find fun and enjoyable. Therefore you do it more often.
3. When others see you enjoying yourself and loosing weight, they ask questions and your single act of having fun in exercise may encourage others to be more active themselves.
4. Exercise on its own has been found to be a stress reducer, but when it is fun too, your heart is truly into it. This can be a true soul booster and you really feel the euphoria from the experience.
5. You look forward to something that you find enjoyable.
6. It is easier to solicit the involvement of family, friends etc. to become part of a fitness activity that is fun and enjoyable. Eg. Bicycling, playing basketball in the backyard with the kids, playing volleyball on the beach, going salsa dancing or taking a salsa class with your spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend.
7. It can open the door to like-minded people who help support you in your efforts to incorporate unconventional forms of exercise into your life.
8. Your exercise space is more likely to be in a 'non-exercise' environment such as your home, a dance studio, the beach, the park, your backyard etc. Therefore this removes the mindset of having to be in 'exercise-mode' as you would be in a gym for example; plus you are surrounded with the familiarity of your home, family, dog or whatever resonates comfort for you. When you exercise for fun, you are there to be in enjoyment of the activity and this is the primary focus. In fact it's not exercise at all. It is just something you love doing.
9. Fun in exercise fuels long-term desire. Most people say that they have a determination to exercise, but determination is greatly mind-directed. Let's face it, we can easily get caught up in the "minefield" of our minds. Determination may seem great on the outside, but I feel it bears too much weight on the mind, and not as much on the heart and soul which really are our true driving forces.
While determination gets you pumped up for the task at hand, it is desire which keeps you going when your mind can't reason with the pain or the obstacles that come in the way. This is what keeps you going when the diet plan is over or the gym membership has expired.
I wish you much luck in deciding which activities are fun for you. Some activities you may consider are dancing, kick boxing, marathons and walking for a cause activities, joining a walking or running online "meet-up" group, indoor "rock climbing" etc. Choose an activity which makes you feel good and always make it fun!
Karen Lugay is a Registered Dietitian living in the New York City area. She writes a free bi-monthly Nutrition Newsletter relaying her insight about nutrition and food as the fun and exciting core parts of our lives which they are. She also shares this view on the topic of exercise.
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