When you’re in the middle of a workout, how often are you thinking, “Man, I LOVE this. I’m so ‘in the moment’ and this is the best fitness journey ever!”?
OR
Are you thinking, “Jeez, I can’t wait to be finished so I can enjoy myself and get on with my day”?
Is exercise a means to an end? Is finishing the workout the reward? Or is the workout itself the reward?
Ask yourself, “how can I make the process of exercising a rewarding experience?”
Try simple behaviours like:
A) Find an exercise or movement you really enjoy, regardless of outcomes like muscle gain or cardio endurance. Determine why you enjoy it. How does it make you feel?
Me? I love a heavy squat clean! I feel so damn strong and badass doing it. I feel coordinated. I feel powerful. I don’t give a shit how I look while I’m doing it, because I LOVE how it makes me feel.
B) Pair your exercise routine with something you enjoy, like stationary biking to your favourite Netflix show or listening to an audiobook while you run or lift.
Me? I created a running playlist with songs that might make others cringe but that bring a smile to my face, or make me feel nostalgic, or that I can sing along to. It helps me to appreciate my experience of running rather than thinking about how much longer I have left.
C) Try a free class at a local gym to see if their community could be a good fit for you. If it fits, this could be a great opportunity to surround yourself with like-minded and supportive people.
Me? Well… it’s no secret that I tried my first CrossFit class almost 7 years ago and, well, the rest is history!
D) Reflect on your perceptions and thoughts about fitness and exercise. Ask yourself, why you do it, what motivates you to exercise, why does it motivate you, what you want to gain from it, and why you desire those gains?
I still reflect on this daily. It’s worth it to spend the time and answer these questions for yourself.
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