The supreme accomplishment is to
blur the line between work and play.
(Arnold J. Toynbee)
Exercise can be tough, difficult work… but it can also be joyful, playful fun. Blurring the line between work and play makes the practice of daily fitness much easier. If exercising becomes something you enjoy, you will find ways to get out and sweat more often.
You might not think of Memorial Day Weekend as the ideal time to jumpstart your fitness. You might have plans to eat out or attend a BBQ with family & friends. You might even consume a few adult beverages, but that doesn’t mean you can’t carve out a few hours for fitness. In fact, you could burn some extra calories to offset this weekend’s festivities.
If you’re in need of some motivation, here are five ways to jumpstart your fitness:
Make a playlist. Exercising to music can be a lot of fun. Get lost in a fast-paced song, find inspiration in lyrics, or crank up the volume for the last five minutes of your workout. I made this playlist two years ago and the songs still motivate me! What if music isn’t your thing? Workouts can be a perfect opportunity to listen to podcasts and audiobooks.
Go back to your comfort zone. Do something you used to enjoy, but rarely make the time for these days. Grab a friend and shoot some hoops. Go for a swim, play tennis, take a yoga class, or go for a walk. Relying on “old standbys” helps jumpstart fitness because you can be confident that you will have fun doing whatever it is you choose to do.
If that doesn’t work, try something new. Do something you’ve always wanted to try. Sign up for that Barre3 class, give Zumba a try, or find an introduction to Taekwondo at a local studio.
Use the buddy system. Having a workout buddy adds accountability and inspiration. Find someone with a similar fitness-level, or find a mentor to guide you on your fitness journey. If you don’t know anyone in town who could be your buddy, go virtual! My 77-year-old grandmother is on a mission to walk 10 miles each week. Thinking about her inspires me to workout when I don’t feel like changing into my exercise clothes.
Set small, attainable goals. All great endeavors begin small. If you are just starting a fitness routine, give yourself the tiniest goals possible. Begin with a walk around the block and build from there. We are often sidelined by our fear of failure. Rather than focusing on how “out of shape” you might think you are, give yourself a little pep talk. Working out is better than not working out. Give yourself permission to start out easy and see how you feel from there.
I hope you find time to get sweaty this holiday weekend! As we honor the US Armed Forces who have served our country, please remember to honor your body and all that it does for you each day. If you have an idea for jumpstarting fitness, please share in the comments.
Image via Death to the Stock Photo