Can’t be bothered to exercise? Do you find working out a chore? Professional footballer Thomas Hal Robson-Kanu reveals 4 ways you can change your relationship with exercise for the better
Many of us have a bit of a ‘love/hate’ relationship with exercise.
We know deep down that it’s beneficial for us – but sometimes it can still be difficult to motivate ourselves to tackle a workout or keep up a fitness routine.
Over time we can even begin to develop negative feelings towards the idea of exercise, and it can start feeling more like an obligation than something we actually enjoy doing.
sometimes it can still be difficult to motivate ourselves to tackle a workout
Exercise isn’t always easy, but it’s an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Keeping a positive mindset and listening to your body can make a huge difference to your relationship with exercise.
This can help to make exercise a much more enjoyable experience, and at the end of the day, this is exactly what it should be.
Here are some of the best ways you can change your relationship with exercise for the better…
#1 Changing your mentality
A major step in improving your relationship with exercise is changing your mentality towards it.
We often put unnecessary pressure on ourselves when exercising, aiming for unrealistic or extremely difficult goals. When we don’t hit them, it’s easy to end up with those negative feelings of frustration and disappointment.
Ask what you really want from exercise, and what you want fitness to contribute to your daily life. Maybe you just want to feel a little bit healthier, or fit enough to keep up with your kids at the park.
Ask what you really want from exercise, and what you want fitness to contribute to your daily life
If you’re not enjoying your exercise, don’t feel pressured to set hard targets like kilometre distances or run times. Set goals that feel achievable and that you can genuinely enjoy working towards.
You can also start to use exercise as a positive tool, rather than a chore. For example, going for a light run after a tough day at the office can really help you to de-stress and focus on something outside of your job.
If this becomes habitual, you’ll start to associate exercise with more positive feelings – you might even start to look forward to it.
#2 Listening to your body
Listening to your body is vital to improving your relationship with exercise.
Think about what kind of exercise you actually enjoy doing – everyone is different, and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to fitness.
Experiment with different forms of exercise, and listen to what your body is saying. What feels good? It could be a brisk walk, or a gym class, or a long cycle – whatever it is, enjoyment is crucial to building a more positive relationship with exercise.
Experiment with different forms of exercise,
You should also take note when your body needs rest. It’s difficult to keep up the momentum when you’re suffering from aches and pains, so make sure that you look after yourself.
Nutrition is also a key part of keeping your body fit and healthy, so be sure to maintain a balanced diet. This ensures that you can stay active, and ready to tackle your next workout.
Supplements can provide you with a quick and easy way to support your body – turmeric shots, for example, can be excellent for promoting muscle recovery and reducing inflammation.
#3 Not obsessing over the scale
If you’re looking to lose weight, then regular exercise is an excellent idea, alongside a healthy diet.
However, it’s important not to become obsessed with the scale. Losing weight is a gradual process, and checking the scale too often can feel deflating – in turn you might start to feel less enthusiastic about your exercise routine, if you feel like the results aren’t coming quickly enough.
Losing weight is a gradual process
Try to focus on exercise achievements beyond weight loss. These could be small things to recognise along the way – you might be sleeping better, experiencing a confidence boost, or even just feeling much healthier.
Don’t be afraid to celebrate these victories, and keep a positive mindset.
#4 Getting out of your comfort zone
Sometimes even the thought of exercising can be daunting, but one of the major benefits of exercise is pushing us outside of our comfort zone.
This may be a scary thought, but embracing this is a major part of developing a healthier relationship with exercise.
Mixing up your routine will keep things interesting
Mixing up your routine will keep things interesting, and help you discover new activities that you enjoy. This could be anything from following a different running route, to trying a new class with a friend.
It doesn’t need to be anything drastic, but pushing yourself a little bit can lead to some exciting and fulfilling new experiences. This is a great way to boost your confidence, and an even better way to maintain a positive perspective on exercise.
If you’re looking to improve your wellbeing, mental health and general lifestyle through the means of functional nutrition, Thomas Hal Robson-Kanu suggests trying an energy-refuelling, brain fog eliminating, health-boosting Raw Turmeric Shot from The Turmeric Co.
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