Enjoying Workout makes it more Effective

For a couple of years I have been exercising regularly. It has become my habit and part of my morning chore. This has inspired me to share many articles with my readers to motivate them to be physically active and include some exercise into their schedules.  But alas, this time I myself needed motivation.  I was losing the fun and drive to continue with my physical activities. I was not getting pleasure from my exercise routine. I wanted to withdraw.

My husband advised me to change my workout plan or change my environment but I did not give much thought to his suggestion, because I was the one who had lost 65 pounds by following the same technique for over 2 years now. How could he advise! I was the expert in maintaining a normal body weight.  🙂 . In the process I forgot to enjoy my workouts.  They became monotonous and yet I kept dragging myself. As a result I started feeling depressed and less enthusiastic and more tired. I also felt bloated and started being more sedentary.

One day I finally decided to boost my spirits and I stepped out to change my workout environment. I ran outside in the nature, and a sense of happiness and achievement aroused within me.  I felt rejuvenated and more energized. I was looking forward to jog outside again the next day.  Every day I looked forward to go outside and jog. I included some more exercises in my workout plan. I was elated and my mind was full of creative ideas and excitement again. I realized that  constant change is important and also that enjoying your workout makes it more effective not only for physical but also for mental health.

I noticed some changes in my physical appearance. My face was glowing again and skin looked healthier, I was smiling a lot these days. I also noticed some muscle tightening all over my body and most importantly the core of my stomach was getting back its shape and the muscles were tightening again which motivated me to continue exercising.

An important lesson learnt was that when it comes to your exercise regime it’s important to choose something that brings enjoyment and pleasure. If you enjoy you will stick to it or else you will fizzle out and become irregular and inconsistent. Positive engagement with any activity is important to achieve the goals and target for better health and lifestyle as well.

Another important aspect is for us to select the time of the day that suits our schedule and gives us utmost pleasure. Every individual has different goals/target for fitness and health, but in general most of us want to be just healthy.  It is important to find out a way to enjoy our workouts rather than making it a burden or thinking over it more than required.  ‘Just Go For it’, is the attitude that we should imbibe and stay on. We should not let our frustrations come in our way of being healthy.  Sometimes it might take some extra effort or extra time in losing weight or gaining strength because every individual body is different.

The best way to continued physical activity is to find ways of exercising that are fun and focused.  A right balance of fun, focus and targeted goals is the most effective way of staying healthy.

Health Tip of the Week

“It’s important to enjoy your workout for it to be more effective”.

References:

Telegraph.co.uk