How to stay active when you don’t like exercise..

We know that exercise is good for our mind + body, just like eating our greens, so why is it so hard to start, or be consistent?

What we don’t need is another lecture about the importance of moving our bodies, right? We know that we will feel better, we’ll have more energy and we will be less stressed BUT what if trying to fit exercise into our uber-busy lifes just causes us more stress?

Sedentary work, commuting, parenting (whether it is running after toddlers or teenagers), just having non-stop lifestyles means trying to fit in a gym session can cause the cortisol to rise. 

So how can we re-train our brains to add activity into our lives? And what influences us in our decision-making?

Do exercise stereotypes hinder us?

Have the negative experiences around exercise and sports affected how you view it now? The result of those types of experiences creates a barrier and may leave you feeling insecure or self-conscious about going into one of those environments again. The names we can use to describe ourselves and our relationship with movement can have a big impact. “I was never sporty as a kid”, “I’m just a couch potato”, “I’m not a gym person” these words can be harmful and self-limiting. 

Exercise doesn’t have to be formal, there are so many different ways to move that will benefit you. Dancing in the kitchen, playing with the kids, walking the dogs, gardening, stretching and there is no timeframe. You could do it for 5 mins, 55mins, 5 hours. Just the act of moving your body will give you benefit and when you start you may find that it becomes easier to make that 5 mins last 10 mins. 

Build habits, not motivation

Habits last, habits are consistent. Motivation ebbs and flows. Building the habit is the hardest part but also the most fun. Look at it like a game, how can you add a bit of movement into your day? We want to try and weave them into our day rather than squeeze them in. 

Could we…

Park further away when you go to the supermarket?

Take the stairs instead of the escalator?

Do calf raises or squats when you brush your teeth?

Stretch when the weather comes on the news?

Go for a 5 min walk at lunchtime?

Just make it easy and start small. Atomic habits by James Clear is a fantastic book for looking at how we build and maintain habits. 

The right exercise for you and your body

We are all unique and we find enjoyment in all different things. For some, going to the gym and smashing out a HIIT class will bring them joy while it might fill some else with dread. It’s finding what works for you and your body.

As we get older we understand our bodies more (hopefully) and we start to recognise what helps us and what hinders us. The workouts you loved in your 20s might not work for you in your 50s. Meet your body where it’s at. That doesn’t mean you can’t challenge yourself but if that challenge leads to constant injuries, it might be time to re-think. 

The key is to drill down what is important to you, what lights you up and what you can continue to do for years to come. That is the key to bringing more enjoyment and movement into each and every day.