One Easy Trick To Maintaining An Exercise Routine
We all have those days when we wake up and want nothing to do with exercise. It takes time out of the day and it would be much easier if we just skipped it altogether. Thoughts like these are normal and it’s even not the end of the world if we listen to our bodies and take a rest when it’s needed.
The bigger problem is when it becomes harder and harder to find the enjoyment in working out. When more days than not we end up with thoughts of dread and look for excuses to squirm out of that exercise commitment, it is time to reevaluate our perspective on fitness.
The National Academy of Sports Medicine has a lot of guidelines on many things, but one of the most important concepts to me is their FITTE principle. FITTE is an acronym for five different variables to take into consideration when designing the cardio portion of a fitness regimen:
F: frequency
I: intensity
T: time
T: type
E: enjoyment
All of the variables are important, but the one that is often overlooked is Enjoyment.
In this model, enjoyment refers to how much you like doing the actual exercise. The more that you like doing whatever is getting that heart rate up, the more inclined you will be to continue it. A lot of people wind up forcing themselves to complete a workout that they absolutely hate because a) they think that is what they are supposed to do or b) they don’t take the time to think about alternatives.
I have tried a LOT of different exercises that get my heart rate up and by doing that I have learned what I truly enjoy doing and am willing to make time in my day for and what I am not. I respond best to high intensity workouts, strength training, and running. I am not a fan of spinning or yoga and if those were my only two options then I would definitely not enjoy the time I spend working out.
Finding out what you enjoy doing for exercise can be a trial and error process. Be open to different types of workouts because you never know which types you may find the most enjoyable. If your friend invites you to do something you’ve never done before, take her up on it because it may just be a type of exercise you love! If not, you know that you can cross it off your list. If you live in a city that has ClassPass then you have a wide variety of different workouts to choose from to help you figure out what you like. To learn more or sign up, click here! (affiliate)
Take the time to really think about what drives YOU and makes you feel accomplished in the end. The more often you do that activity, the less likely you will be to wake up dreading it.
To help you think outside the box, here are some exercise ideas to consider:
- group sports (soccer, softball, etc)
- running
- swimming
- strength training
- bootcamps
- spinning (or just riding a bike around)
- yoga
- barre
- kayaking/stand up paddleboarding
- bodyweight workouts at home
- exercise DVDs
- playing with kids
- dancing (zumba, take a dance class)
- martial arts
- rock climbing
Questions:
- Have you found a workout you really love?
- What other suggestions can go on the list?
Have me run after you with a stick.
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…It is So Ordered Pt 2: Breakfast Food #WIAW
You would catch me too quickly.
great list! having a routine really helps me, and I like to workout in the mornings if possible. I now have strength training every tues/thurs and I try to run or do some sort of activity on the other days. I like to do a longer run on sundays or Saturdays, and if that doesnt’ work I like my spin bike because I can catch up on all my Netflix and programs 🙂
danielle saucy smith recently posted…A Side of Fun
I like it! I have to plan out my workouts or else I just feel scattered like I do in the rest of my life if I don’t schedule things 🙂
I’m totally running obsessed, but I love SoulCycle to get a cardio (non-running) workout in. But more recently (and shockingly) I started to really enjoy Plyo’s and HIIT circuits. I think some other fun suggestions might be rollerbladding, tennis, or hiking. I love doing those activities on vacation when I may not have time for a long run!
Jamie recently posted…WIAW – Diaya
Oh yeah I forgot about those ones! Thanks for the additions! HIIT is my favorite 🙂
What a great post idea! And awesome way to incorporate FITTE into everyday language 😉
I’m so fancy!
Yes! I totally agree…you must do something you actually enjoy! I am currently loving rock climbing and just getting outside for a long hike!
Lindsey recently posted…Fit Life June Roundup: Are Airlines Stealing Your Cookies?
I totally forgot about hiking since I am in a city now haha.
I love exercise DVD’s, but I think I’m going to put them away until my older kids go back to school. With 4 kids at home, it’s almost impossible to be able to use the DVD. This week, we have been heading to the school track- they play- I workout. Win. Win.
Jen@jpabstfitness recently posted…What I Ate Wednesday
That’s a great idea! Works for everyone!
Biking is my go to for a “fun” workout. Especially biking to a place, doing an activity and then biking home. My girlfriend and I recently biked to our favorite taco place for dinner one night and it was perfect! We worked up a sweat on the way there, enjoyed our meal and had a leisure ride home.
Pragati // Simple Medicine recently posted…How to: Have a Healthy-ish Vacation
That sounds like a lot of fun. The city would be a great place for me to have a bike (except for the winter ha)
I totally agree with you! Try different physical activities ’til you find some that you enjoy. I love swimming, Zumba, yoga, Pilates, Essentrics, barre, plus a couple of other sports. 🙂
Patricia recently posted…Gift of Yoga: SIFCare’s Yoga Event
Those are all great! Thanks for adding some to the list!
Enjoyment is HUGE factor in adhering to a routine! I’m at the gym all day, so if I don’t feel like it I kind of just force myself to commit for at least five minutes….after five, I usually get into the groove.
Yeah that always helps too. Just getting started is sometimes enough for me to get into it.
This is so true. I can be on a cross trainer and 5 minutes feels excruciating because I hate it but then I can go play squash for 45 minutes and love it. My only problem is, my regular squash partner injured her ankle during hockey training and won’t be able to play for months!
Felicity recently posted…The Lemonade Diet Recipe & Instructions
Oh no! Maybe you’ll have to make new friends? Or you could play with an invisible person but I think that would make the friend making a little harder…
I pack my gym bag the night before, enjoy variety in my workouts, and look forward to my rockin’ playlist to mentally unwind!
@SavvySandwicher recently posted…The ONE resource you need to initiate the power of prayer
The prepacking is always a great thing! One less thing to do and one less excuse I can use 🙂