How to Change the Way You Think About Exercise

We can’t all be gym bunnies, but you don’t need to be a couch potato either.

Reward Yourself

Studies have shown that as humans we see things as a threat or a reward. Your brain may associate exercise with negative emotions and that’s why you can’t be bothered, but if you treat yourself in some way after, this will eventually change the way you feel about it and associate it with a positive thing that you want to do.

Turn it into a Habit

If you give yourself the option to exercise or not, chances are you’re going to come up with an excuse not to do it. Excuses like “I’m too tired” and “I can’t be bothered” are all too common. If exercise is something you’re just trying to fit into your day you are much more likely to avoid it, whereas if you make it part of your routine, and actually allocate time to it, it will become easier. Once you get yourself into a routine it will be a lot easier to motivate yourself to go, and working out will just become a habit, rather than a chore.

Be Positive

If you can’t be bothered or are feeling down, just remember that exercising releases endorphins that make you happier and make you feel a sense of achievement. This is easy to forget after a long hard day, but it will actually make you feel better in the long run. Instead of complaining about how sweaty you get, or how sore you are the next morning just think about how these things actually mean that you’re bettering yourself.

Change Your Intention About It

Yes, everyone wants a nice body, and fitness is the right way to go about it. But instead of focusing on this aspect of why you’re working out, try and focus on something a little deeper. Fitness doesn’t just make your muscles stronger, it makes you stronger as a person. Instead of focusing on your body and how it’s going to look, focus on your mind and how you’re going to feel.

Try Something New

If you’ve tried going to the gym and you hate it with a passion, or you haven’t but it doesn’t sound right for you, try something different, there are so many types of different classes and workouts nowadays that you don’t need to stick to conventional methods of exercise. I can’t see myself on a treadmill for 30 minutes’ either. Try a spin class, pole dancing class, or something completely out of the ordinary.

Respect Your Limits

Everyone has limits, and although it’s important to push your limits you shouldn’t push too hard. Overdoing it can injure you which could be detrimental to your ongoing fitness. Not to mention taking on too much can be demotivating if you can’t do it all to the standard that you want.