Making Your Workouts Genuinely Fun

@soheefit

Exercising is an essential part of all of our lives. It reduces our risk of heart problems and diabetes, improves our mental health, and keeps us sharp in our old age. In the best of circumstances, it teaches us problem solving, goal setting, and occasionally teamwork, and yet, it is not always the most riveting and enjoyable way to pass the time. 

Getting yourself through your workout routine with enthusiasm seldom works, oftentimes saying “just do it,” just doesn’t do it for us, and working on yourself, in any capacity, feels grueling and unrewarding, but there are ways to combat these feelings. 

For starters, let’s dispel a few exercising myths. You don’t have to wake up at the crack of dawn and you don’t need to constantly set lofty goals for yourself so that you’ll feel bad when you don’t reach them. Remember that you can exercise however you want and that you’re lapping everyone on the couch. 

Here are our five tips on the best ways to take your workout routine from boring to exciting in just a few simple steps:

1. Find the form of exercise that you hate the least– This might seem like a no-brainer, but if you find the workout that you find the most enjoyable, you'll have more fun. Those Dance 360 WII games from the early 2000s were the best way to trick you into exercising when you were a kid. Now, as an adult, you might prefer swimming, tennis, zumba, spinning, pilates, or yoga. Experimenting with different forms of exercise can open new doors.

1. No negative thoughts while exercising– This piece of advice came from Jill Biden, who says that she forces herself to only think positive thoughts while running. It’s easier said than done, but whenever you catch your mind wandering towards bleaker thoughts, reel yourself back in. Think about how productive you’re being and all of the things you have to look forward to in your day. 

1. Create your diva playlist– Telling yourself: just do some jumping jacks, rarely works. You need to incentivize it somehow. I therefore made myself a “diva playlist,” in which I play all of the best songs from early 2000s divas. I’m talking: Mariah Carey, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, and Destiny’s Child. It helps me to think of exercise not as weight loss or exhaustion but as fueling my “inner diva.” It'll also make you feel like you’re one of these women. Since you’re supposed to exercise for about 30 minutes a day, create a playlist that is about 30 minutes long and work until the end.  

1. Campy 80s workout gear– This is a real “whatever works” piece of advice. Dressing up for the occasion really helps to make an event out of working out. Get a hot pink sweatband to wear around your forehead or throw on a track suit. Think about Serena Williams’ black panther tennis outfit and tutu. The cheesier the outfit, the better. Plus, you'll turn heads at the gym. Slubbing around in sweatpants just won’t do it for your psyche.

1. Getting an exercise buddy– Much like a study buddy, an exercise buddy breaks up the monotony and makes sure that you’re actually doing the workout. Together you can jog through your neighborhood, do some laps around the track, or play a sport while catching up on the hot gossip. With the right partner, you’ll actually be looking forward to your workout. 

Think about it: you and your bestie wearing your elastic, 80s-tastic workout gear, listening to your diva playlist, and thinking only positive thoughts while doing your favorite form of exercise. You will be unstoppable.