HELP! I Hate Exercise

I am one of those weirdos who has always loved exercise.  When I was about 7 years old I remember running 100 laps around our friend’s garden…  Because I dared myself to do it.  At 10 I did pull ups and push ups daily before I went out to play.

My personality is very black and white.  Exercise is in the “good” box so I get great satisfaction from doing anything in that box,  exercise being a prime example.

Many people aren’t as extreme as me,  but they see the importance of fitness and that is enough motivation to exercise.  A bit like cleaning their teeth,  they aren’t mega excited about it,  dishing out high fives and chest bumps,  but they don’t hate it either,  it’s just something they do.

The last camp is those who know they should do it,  but the knowing doesn’t move them into doing,  because they hate exercise.  That negative emotion chases off any desire to exercise .  You’re not going to do something if it doesn’t feel good.  Humans are driven by pleasure.

Maybe exercise will never become pleasurable but I want you to get excited enough that you no longer hate it! We all know it’s the best medicine there is.

Here are some strategies to fight off exercise hatred:

1. Have a big enough reason

Choosing to have children was a huge sacrifice for us,  the sleepless nights,  the never stopping,  the overpriced baby gear.  But my “why” is answered every time I look at Eleanor (my daughter),  she is worth it.

The same can be true of fitness to a lesser extent, it’s a sacrifice but it’s a wonderful trade off.  Fitness could be the key to you running around with your grandkids in years to come,  or climbing mountains in retirement.  Fitness right now can charge your body with energy and pack on functional muscle.

It makes you look better,  feel better and move better for longer.  I could go on.  Find your motivation and always go back to that when you feel like giving up.

2. Keep it short and intense

You should never be bored when you’re working out,  if you are,  ramp up the intensity and then try thinking about being bored.

3. Have clear goals and track your progress

I’m very task orientated.  I get such a kick out of hitting personal bests in my powerlifting.  Yours could be walking up a hill without getting out of breath or doing a pull up.  I have lifetime goals (some I’ve achieved already),  6 month goals and 6 week goals. This makes my fitness intentional rather than aimless.

4. Enjoy guilt free treats

When you exercise you can eat chocolate guilt free (moderation please)  and drink wine (moderation please)  and eat pizza… Actually don’t ever eat pizza.  Ever.

5. Find out what you love doing

Exercise is so diverse.  Maybe you were put off it at school with the generic school sports,  but it’s just about getting moving.  It might be joining a gym,  or hiking with mates or joining a climbing group.

6. Make it a lifestyle thing

I want to be exercising until I die.  I’m in this for the long haul.  I’m not interested in “weekend warriors”  who just do their football once a week (better than nothing)  or those who want to get “pumped,  ripped and buff”  for the beach. Roll on summer 2016… No.

7. Preach a Sermon of positivity

When I workout,  I always revisit my “why”  and I preach to myself (a bit crazy, I know) about the benefits of exercise.  We can get caught up in a negative thought patterns. “This hurts”, “I’m not making any progress”, “I wish I was at home eating pizza”.  That negativity will destroy any good feelings that exercise can bring about.

8. Get a training partner

Workout with a friend. Make sure they are fun and make you laugh.  My workout buddy isn’t a comedian but he’s a little funny to look at, so that works for me.

9. Go for group training

Isn’t it better doing things together?  Try one of my group classes or Mal’s salsa classes for something different.

10. Keep reading my blogs and subscribe.

Dorchester personal trainer - Dave Wall - www.dorchesterpersonaltraining.co.uk