It sounds like common sense, but few people follow it: To motivate yourself to exercise, do something that you like to do.
Unfortunately, most Americans struggle to even do this on a regular basis, according to recent statistics.
How you feel about certain exercises really can help as far as motivation is concerned, however, according to a new study from the University of New Hampshire.
“Small amounts of easy, enjoyable activity are best for revving up your energy level and boosting your mood,” says Dr. Mehmet Oz, who spoke to Sharecare.com. “In fact, by slashing stress and increasing levels of the feel-good brain chemical serotonin, one workout (you, strolling around the block) can help you feel great for a whopping 12 hours!”
In the study, University of New Hampshire researchers recruited participants to find out how certain emotions, such as regret or happiness, affected their motivation to work out. As it turned out, the power of positive thinking did a lot of good: Those who experienced just one good thought about their workout were up to 60 percent more likely to do it again. Those who remembered nothing but the negative aspects of it–such as feeling tired, sweaty, or bored–were more likely to skip exercise, not surprisingly.
It wasn’t necessarily the type of exercise they were doing that motivated or de-motivated them to work out either: Their mindset when approaching the activity mattered as well.
“It’s no wonder that enjoyment, fun and happiness are top reasons regular exercisers stick with it,” says Oz. “Stop believing that activity’s gotta hurt, use up lots of time, be exhausting or bore you to tears. Those myths keep way too many people on the couch.”
But how exactly do you force yourself to feel positive about something you don’t like? Well, that’s easier than done. However, Oz has some suggestions on how to make it more enjoyable:
- Work out with a friend. Buddying up with a partner is not only good for keeping your accountable, it also motivates you to work out more because it often makes the exercise more enjoyable–something we could use more of. Better yet, you can buddy up with your pet dog as a way to get him in shape as well.
- Do something fun. If the monotonous rhythm of running or walking turns you off, try something with more variety, such as dancing or participating in a dance exercise class, such as Zumba. You’re guaranteed never to get bored–and you’ll get in shape in the process.
- When all else fails, just walk. Walking is the easiest, no-frills workout anyone can do, whether you’re young, old, or just in-between. You don’t need to go on long, 30 minutes jaunts outside either; just spending a few minutes walking when you have some downtime also counts as working out.
Readers: What workouts do you find the most enjoyable?
Source:
Stick With Pleasure When it Comes to Exercise, Says Oz – SFExaminer.com
3 Ways to Make Every Workout Fun (Even if You Hate Exercise) – Active.com
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