Take a moment. Think about it. Are your workouts an exciting part of your day or simply something to check off your to-do list? Do you ENJOY your time at the gym, on the road, sweating it out in your basement, at the Crossfit box, or wherever you put in that time for your health?
If you don’t, then I ask you to consider a few things…
Why? Why don’t you enjoy it? You will more likely stick with fitness related goals and exercise when it is fun…when it adds to your life and gives you that sense of joy and excitement with each day. When it’s an adventure and something that gets your blood pumping not for the cardio workout alone.
If you haven’t found a workout you enjoy keep looking. If you’re just getting started with fitness, try new things and do what is most enjoyable to you and give it time. No matter what…do whatever you can to make fitness an adventure. Not a chore.
Do you view fitness as an adventure or a chore? How do you make it more enjoyable?
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Mother. Wife. Personal Trainer. Exercise lover. Blogger. Woman of faith. Striving for fitness inside and out. 
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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
I have this discussion with my clients all the time. I always tell them to try different types of exercise and find something that they LOVE- because that will make them MUCH more likely to keep doing it! I always say “the best workout is the one that you actually DO.”
I’m lucky- I kind of like it all- but I LOVE being outdoors (hiking especially) more than anything. And I got certified to teach the classes that I love the most, because, well, why not?
Definitely an adventure, I look forward to my workouts and it kinda wrecks my day if I miss
Love this!
In my opinion – if it’s not an adventure, then you’re doing it wrong!
I don’t mean that I ALWAYS want to work out – or I ALWAYS love a workout, but in general there are certain activities, exercises, and milestones that make exercise FUN. And if you are completely going through the motions every day (i.e., how I feel on the elliptical machine), then maybe you need to dig deep and find your passion. I truly believe there IS something active and fun for EVERYONE. You just have to tap into it!
Sometimes it’s either. Most of the time I love it. It makes me feel good, I enjoy what I do, etc. There are definitely times when I’m feeling burned out or run down and going to the gym definitely feels like a chore. If that’s the case, an extra rest day usually does the trick! If it doesn’t, maybe it’s time to try something new.
I’d say fitness is both sometimes. There are days where I look forward to my workouts (like going to a fitness class, doing a run in a fun place, or doing the BBB workouts), and there are days that I simply just want to sit on the couch and do nothing. I love the way I feel after workouts and I do enjoy them, but there are some days I just can’t talk myself in to doing something else in the day.
LOVE this! Fitness should be seen as an adventure and FUN – that’s a BIG reason why we’re able to keep going back for more. And even more so, that’s a HUGE thing when it comes to getting and keeping KIDS active! They need to learn that fitness can be FUN!
I think of it as an adventure. Sure there are days when it feels like a chore, but I never regret it, and I might cut that workout down in length. I love working out, and enjoy the workouts that Ido! I try to encourage everyone to find something they enjoy doing, and then it won’t feel like a job to them!
I love working out!! Itz my ME time and I love it! I constantly switch things up, belong to a great gym, and have fitness dates with friends!
No. It is not an adventure. It is a chore. And I think that is okay.
Because at least I’m doing it, and I did not do it before because I did not like it. And that was not good.
And I have tried (extensively) to find something I like and I have not found anything. I am at the point where I just need to do it, regardless of whether I like it or not.
I do not find brushing my teeth to be an adventure either, but it sure needs to be done each day.
My actual job feels like a job too and not an adventure, and I think that is okay too. I don’t need my job or my workouts to be an adventure. I need them to give me what I need out of them and then get out of the way of my real life.
If I only did things I enjoyed I sure would not be doing a lot of the things I’m doing as a responsible person and Christian.
I think it is okay to not like fitness. I am not a sporty person. I do not like dancing. I do not want to work out with friends. I don’t run. So what?
I put the question back at you — Why is that wrong? Why do I have to like it? Isn’t just doing it enough? Why all the judgment?
Especially since I’m fat and out of shape, isn’t it normal not to enjoy it? Maybe if I were fit and each workout did not feel like living death I’d like it. We’ll see. But until I’m fit, please pass the judgment and just give me some props for doing it at least. Cause if I have to like it — that is not going to happen, and I’ll get discouraged and give up.
J,
I hope my post didn’t offend you in any way. That was never my intention to make anyone who doesn’t “LOVE” fitness feel wrong. I understand that for some it’s not a passion, which was why I hope my post emphasized that even if just getting into fitness or not knowing something you really enjoy to keep looking and keep at it for something you can at least enjoy on some level. While I don’t expect it to be a passion for all, I do think it should add to your life in a positive way as much as possible and that there are many options out there.
There was no judgment in this post at all. And it breaks my heart to think it could come across that way. One of my biggest hopes is to show that health and fitness can be approachable and an enjoyable addition to life for anyone – now matter where at on his or her personal journey.
Wishing you all the best,
Tina
Most days, fitness is an adventure. It is also a blessing to be ABLE to work out, something some people cannot do, even if they wanted to. Although, I do have to agree with some of the posts, sometimes it is a chore.
However, I think we can all agree that while is not always FUN, that does not mean it is not an adventure…maybe it is a really hard and challenging and painful adventure, but none the less, it is an adventure. An adventure to better you health, even if you don’t see results the way you want to, you are bettering yourself every time you make yourself get out there and do SOMETHING. Adventure is in the eye of the beholder!
Exactly, Sarah! That was waht I was trying to get out. On the whole it should be something that adds to your life in a positive way. It won’t always be exciting or fun, but should still add to your life.
I think this depends, sometimes it can be a chore, but usually it’s a release and loving the sense of accomplishment and strength by the end.
Ah, always fun to reflect on. For me, it is most definitely an adventure and a passion. Whatever I’m doing to move my body and get a good sweat, stretch or strength on makes me happy. I love deciding what I’ll do each day, planning the workout or picking the class to attend and then noticing how my body reacts to the challenge (and the rest days).
Nice post Tina. I love working out but I’ve realised over the years in both my professional and personal life, that not everyone feels the same way. I too encourage clients, family and friends to find some form of exercise that they enjoy, as this will increase their chances of sticking with it. Exercise should never be a chore.
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Lucky for me I absolutely LOVE it! But sometimes I forget that it’s not like that for some people.