In a world where health and wellness are paramount, exercise plays a crucial role.
Whether or not you are a fitness junkie, the emphasis on exercise bombards our pop culture and it’s hard to avoid the constant reminder.
However, many people struggle to find enjoyment in physical activity. In this blog post, we will explore ways to make exercising not only beneficial but also fun and fulfilling.
I will help address common challenges, provide practical tips, and answer key questions surrounding exercise and enjoyment.
Why do people not enjoy exercise?
Exercise may seem like a chore for many individuals. Factors such as lack of motivation, boredom, discomfort, and unrealistic expectations contribute to this perception. It’s important to acknowledge these challenges and find strategies to overcome them.
Likewise, we are not inherently lazy. Although a lot of people will point to that as the reason why nearly half of Americans don’t exercise. However, exercise can be hard, especially if you are not used to it. This article from Harvard Magazine explains it well.
Typically, the less you exercise, the harder it is. And vice versa. It is normal to not like exercise especially when it is physically challenging.
This does not make people lazy. Our bodies want us to protect them. If exercise means a possible injury or health difficulty then naturally our instinct will be to prevent that.
If you aren’t already fit and used to exercising, that risk is very real and makes getting into the motion of exercise not only mentally and physically difficult, but biologically.
Is exercise supposed to be fun?
Exercise doesn’t have to be a dull and monotonous task. In fact, finding enjoyment in physical activity is crucial for long-term adherence.
Everyone’s definition of fun may vary, so it’s essential to personalize exercise to suit individual preferences.
By exploring different activities, you can discover the joy in movement and make exercise an enjoyable part of your routine.
Likewise, your enjoyment of exercise can vary even for an activity you love.
For example, I did a Barre class for over a year. When I started I loved it and looked forward to every class I signed up for.
However, as I was getting past a year I didn’t quite enjoy it as much. I still loved seeing my class friends and the feeling of accomplishment. However, it was not fulfilling my strength goals and I started to lose interest. I ended up canceling my membership and didn’t miss it.
You may have a workout style that you love and don’t get sick of. However, it is normal to have days where it just isn’t fun or you don’t feel like doing it period.
With all of this said, exercise won’t always be fun. But it should generally be enjoyable 80-90% of the time. That is why finding something you enjoy doing will make it more sustainable in the long run.
You are more likely to stick to an exercise regimen that you enjoy and find relatively fun.
Is it okay to not like exercise?
Absolutely! It’s perfectly normal to not enjoy exercise initially or even at all. What matters is finding alternative forms of physical activity that resonate with you.
Don’t be discouraged by traditional exercise norms and explore unconventional options that align with your interests and passions.
There are so many forms of exercise and you don’t have to stick to just one. Here are some examples of activities and forms of exercise I am able to sustain because I have grown to enjoy them:
- Walking: I love taking my dog for walks. Even when I didn’t have a dog I still would go on at least one walk a day. It’s easy and a great way to get movement while taking in the fresh air. You can make it productive by having a phone call, listening to music or a podcast, or going with a buddy for a good conversation.
- The Gym: Definitely not for everyone, but I love my gym workouts (read about my post on how to make the most of the gym). I follow a lifting program and love the feeling of getting stronger every time I go.
- Skiing: I live in a mountainous area and love skiing winter long. It is a great way to make the most of the cold snowy winters and have fun in the process.
- Hiking: Similar to walking but a bit more rigorous. Plus, seeing the mountaintop views never get old.
As you can see, I don’t just stick to one activity. I do have a regimented gym workout routine but you don’t need to (Although I highly recommend it, especially for women. Read about it here).
What to do if you don’t enjoy working out?
If you’re struggling to find enjoyment in traditional workouts, it’s time to get creative.
Try different activities such as dance classes, martial arts, hiking, or cycling.
Experimentation is key to discovering what activities resonate with your interests and bring you joy. Don’t limit yourself—there’s a vast array of options to explore.
If you are at square one and have little to no movement in your day that’s okay. Here are some creative ideas your can try to get the ball rolling:
- Maybe you like site seeing from your car or visiting cute little towns. Make more of an effort to go on your days off and walk around instead of just viewing from the car.
- Do you watch a lot of TV? During commercials try stepping in place. Work your way up to doing it during every commercial break. Eventually, you can try different easy movement exercises to make it interesting.
- Park further away from stores or your work to get a few extra steps in and get your body accustomed to more movement.
No matter your physical ability and interests, there are endless possibilities to get in movement and work your way into a more regular exercise routine.
The best workout for people who hate working out
For those who despise traditional workouts, there are plenty of exciting and engaging alternatives.
Consider bodyweight exercises that can be done anywhere, partner workouts that add a social element, or outdoor activities like hiking or swimming.
The key is to find activities that align with your preferences and make you look forward to moving your body.
Now let’s say you hate working out but you genuinely want to and are not sure how to get into it. Also, you are afraid you will hate it and give up. That is very normal and here is my advice.
- Start with what you like and/or can manage now and gradually increase it over time.
- Say you take your dog for two 10-minute walks a day. Step it but by 5 minutes for each walk. Gradually get it up to 30-60min a day (within reason of your schedule and weather) over the next month or two.
- Add a new routine incrementally and consistently.
- Maybe you want to get into strength training. Start with 5 minutes of at-home body workouts (find easy ones online there are plenty). Try doing that 2-3 times a week. Gradually increase the amount of time when you start getting the hang of it.
Do you see where I am going? It’s all about a gradual increase in movement. If you try to full force thrust yourself into a workout regimen, you are setting yourself up for failure.
Most people don’t enjoy working out when they start from 0. But if you gradually increase it over time, that 5 minutes 2-3 times a week becomes easier and you will find you can surely do 10, 15, 20, etc. over time.
Slow and steady wins the race.
How can I force myself to enjoy exercise?
Forcing enjoyment is not the solution, but there are strategies to cultivate a positive attitude toward exercise.
Start by shifting your mindset and focusing on the benefits beyond physical appearance. Set realistic goals, celebrate small victories, and embrace the process rather than fixating on the outcome.
When you are just starting out or trying to get back into an exercise routine, it is crucial to make it a positive experience.
I’m a big fan of delayed gratification. Here is an example of a goal/reward system you could try:
Goal: Get 30 min of walking per day Monday through Friday. Do two 10-minute at-home workouts from a beginner bodyweight workout found online.
Reward: Go to see that new movie or out for a specialty coffee with your friend.
As you get more experienced you can make them a bit more challenging. The key is to make goals that you can achieve. In the beginning set goals, you can easily crush and will inspire you to keep going.
Here is a tip. Accountability can play a huge role in accomplishing your goals. Tell your partner or a trusted friend about your goals. They may even join in and you can celebrate them together.
By cultivating a positive mindset, exercise can become an empowering and enjoyable journey.
How long does it take to start enjoying exercising?
The timeline for developing enjoyment in exercise varies for individuals. Some may find their passion right away, while others may take longer.
It’s essential to be patient and embrace the process of exploration.
As you try different activities, you’ll gradually find those that resonate with you, leading to a positive association with exercise.
Remember what I mentioned above. Set goals you can easily achieve, have accountability, and most importantly find movement that feels good to you.
How to motivate yourself to exercise when you really don’t want to
Motivation can be elusive, especially when you’re not in the mood to exercise. Here are a few practical tips to help you stay motivated:
- Incorporate variety: Avoid monotony by mixing up your workouts with different activities and exercises.
- Find an accountability partner: Team up with a friend or join group classes to stay motivated and make exercise a social experience.
- Seek professional guidance: Consider working with a personal trainer or fitness coach who can provide structure, guidance, and motivation tailored to your needs.
Also, ask yourself why you don’t want to. Is it that you don’t feel good? Or maybe you are afraid of the unknown.
Regardless of your reason, it is important to figure out why you don’t want to and find a solution that can encourage you to get movement in a healthy and meaningful way.
Talk to a trusted friend or family member for comradery or seek professional support if you are still struggling.
Exercise doesn’t have to be a dreadful experience
By understanding the reasons behind the lack of enjoyment, exploring alternative activities, and adopting a positive mindset, you can make exercise a fun and rewarding part of your life.
Embrace the journey, try new things, and discover the joy in movement.
Remember, exercise can be a celebration of what your body can do, and it’s never too late to find your own unique way to make exercising enjoyable.
Do you have fun tips on how to make exercise suck less? Share in the comment section below!
