making fitness FUN

Fitness is FUN.

No really.  It is.

Ever since I started blogging, I’ve tried to convey this idea, but try as I might, I think I might be in the minority.  For me, it seems like the easiest concept to get, but perhaps that’s because I truly LOVE working out.  If I have an extra 15 minutes in my day, I’d rather spend them MOVING than doing anything else.

I think this all stems back to my childhood when my daddy would make us get outside.  On any given Saturday, he’d come in from working on one of his 30 projects, see us on the couch watching cartoons and hurriedly turn the television off.  He’d prod us like cattle out the door with no toys, just our minds, and tell us to PLAY.  (Do kids PLAY anymore? I sure hope so.)  Katy and I would stay outside all day long, running around, creating forts, playing house down by the creek, never worrying about when we’d get tired or when we’d eat a meal.  Then Mama would call us back in right at dusk.  It wasn’t until I was forced to take a bath that I finally felt the energy-consuming day catch up with me.

Tired and hungry and happy.  That was always the best feeling.

Simply moving all day was fun.  It was everything I wanted to do.  And I’ve carried this “movement is fun” mentality with me throughout the years.  I chose sports that seemed fun.  I selected fitness classes that had fun descriptions.  I even make my treadmill workouts FUN (I push a lot of buttons like an ADD child).

It’s all in the attitude.

I understand that most of us aren’t making forts in the woods these days or running around outside (pretending dirt is coffee – yes I did that).  So fitness for an adult has to look a bit different.  It typically involves a gym, programmable treadmill belts and lifting heavy dumbbells.  It’s ironic – I make money off of the people who don’t think fitness is fun.  Most of them won’t workout unless they’re being told to. They often need to be prodded off the couch and told to just “PLAY.”

So that’s what I do.  I prod.  And today I’m going to prod you into thinking that fitness is fun.

Remember, it’s all in the attitude.

Six Tips To Make Fitness Fun!

->Try A Class.

Group fitness is FUN!  You’re in there with other people and you’re all working towards the same goal (which might be to see who can get out of there the fastest).  Try a Bootcamp class – the exercises change with every class and you never know what will be thrown at you.  You can’t worry about messing up because you have no idea what you’ll mess up at.  Some gyms offer TRX or trampoline classes.  Those sound like a blast.

Go try something you’ve never done before.

->Get Outside.

If I could walk or run outside everyday, I would.  And I’m always so surprised when I see people on the treadmill when it’s a beautiful Fall day. ?!!?  Go outside and find a walking path.  You can do all sorts of strength training outside as well.  All you need is your bodyweight (think Track Star workouts).

Yes, I carry fitness equipment around in my car on the off chance that I’ll need it.  No shame.

There are actual health benefits to being outside too. Your body receives Vitamin D (even when it’s overcast) and your mind calms down a great deal.  Oh, AND you can treat your outside time like a video game.  Step on a leaf = 1 point.  Be the first to say hello to a fellow walker = 2 points.  Be the first to speak Spanish to a fellow walker = 3 points.  Avoid being mauled by barking dog = 5 points.

->Bring A Friend.

Everything is better with a friend.  Insert inappropriate sex joke here.

When you’ve got someone else right beside you, sweating with you and pushing themselves, it can be so much fun.  I work out with my sister for this very reason (and the one listed below).  We challenge each other.  We motivate each other.  We’re cheerleaders.  The workout flies by if I’ve got someone by my side.

->Create Competition.

This tip goes hand in hand with “Bring A Friend,” but I had to include it too.  Hi, my name is Lindsay and I’m competitive.  With everyone, especially myself.

I think we all have this drive within us.  We want to win. Plain and simple.  It’s why Crossfit and Bootcamps are so popular right now – yes, it’s about YOUR performance, but I find it intriguing that they always post the scores of every individual.  Everything is set up as a competition.

If you can, make fitness bets with your friends.  “First person to bench 220 wins, loser buys dinner.”  Something like that.  Create competition.  It’s fun.

But you’re not allowed to be a sore loser, Clara.

->Change Your Attitude.

MOVEMENT is a privilege and I never want to forget that!  I could be in a wheelchair, but I’m not.  I could have muscular dystrophy, but I don’t.  Anytime I feel down or discouraged with myself when I’m working out, I tell myself, “This is a privilege.  You don’t have to do this.  You GET to do this.”

Whoa.  Big attitude change.  Now all of the sudden, exercise is a TREAT.

->Switch It Up.

If something isn’t working or you’re dreading your workouts, SWITCH IT UP!  Try something new.  Pilates, p90x, Pole Dancing Classes – the possibilities are as endless as your imagination.  Whatever you do try, give it at least a month before you move on to something else.  You need to be consistent with your inconsistencies.

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So are you convinced??  Wanna come work out with me?  You GET to!

QUESTION:  How do you make fitness fun?  Do you dread your workouts or look forward to them?

**The Palm Beach Athletic Wear winner is #13 – Sarah!  Email me your address, lady!  Congrats!**

splendid…lindsay