Looking for inspiration to exercise? Try a something FUN!

We all go through periods of boredom and frustration with exercising. If you are feeling this way, you are definitely not alone! One of my favorite things to advise clients to do, when they feel this way, is to incorporate activities that they actually LIKE to do!

There are so many different ways to exercise, that we never have to do something that we hate. Too many times people will start to do some activity because they heard it was "the best." Either it's supposed to burn tons of calories, get you in shape fast, make your butt look better, or any other of a thousand different reasons. While all of those can be good reasons to work out, we don't have to do something we hate. I personally don't like to run. It doesn't make running a bad exercise, I just don't enjoy it. I usually either ride my bike, or use an elliptical machine as an alternative.

Other than avoiding things you hate, I advise clients to explore their hobbies. A walk in the morning can be a very good way to get in your exercise. Several people are unaware that gardening is a good exercise, especially for people that have arthritis or other joint problems. There are so many other fun ways to exercise. For example, you could go bowling one evening and dancing the next. Just think of things you enjoy and that keep you active for a while.

Another way that you can spice up your workout routine is to enroll in a fitness event. 5k and 10k road races are especially common. However, in the last few years "mud" runs have gotten really popular. People that participate get a great workout and have a ton of fun as they run the course and traverse obstacles and challenges that are part of the race. There are even some mud runs that have volunteers dress up as zombies!

Obviously, any exercise is better than no exercise, but there's no reason that you shouldn't enjoy it! We need to keep our bodies moving and active to maintain health. If you aren't enjoying a particular activity, you aren't very likely to maintain it. That's why I've always told my clients that the best aerobic exercise they can do, is whatever they like. If they don't like to do any aerobic exercise, then I tell them to do whatever they hate the least. The people that focus just on how many calories something can burn, are also usually the people that haven't worked out in the last two weeks.

Jared Carter, CSCS is the owner of Move Forward Fitness. The studio is located at 500 Main St. If you would like to get in touch with Jared, you can call him at 727-515-5318. You can also visit MoveForwardFitness.com or email: jared@moveforwardfitness.com . Let me know how I can help YOU!