This post was adopted from Reliv International
The running shoes sit inside your closet, staring you down. When are you going to take me to the gym again? You pretend not to notice them and reach for slippers instead, knowing you’ll have much more fun at home tonight. When was the last time I used a treadmill? You think for a moment, but realise it’s been too long to remember exactly.
If you’ve ever had this conversation with your running shoes, you might be battling workout boredom, which makes it easy to hit a wall in your motivation to exercise. If you’re losing the fight against apathy, here are three tips for breaking in your running shoes again while having fun.
- Do what you love.
You don’t need to sign up for the yoga class if you’d rather take a nap on your mat than perform a Child’s Pose. A surefire way to kill your motivation is to make working out miserable — of course you won’t want to come back if you’re uninterested or overwhelmed! If you love dancing, try Zumba. If you spend your free time at the pool, learn to master lap swimming. If you like the toned look from weight lifting, incorporate it into your weekly lineup.
Bottom line: don’t force the treadmill on yourself if you’ll go crazy. Of course, be careful not to overwork one part of your body or ignore another area — discipline is key and you’ll need to balance cardio and muscle building. If you’re not sure about trying a new machine or set of repetitions, see Tip #3.
- Work while you do what you love.
A trendy fitness trend all over Pinterest is television workouts, which suggest different exercises whenever something happens on a show. For example, a pin for one my favourite shows suggests performing 30 lunges each time one of the main characters drinks coffee and 20 crunches when another reads, both of which usually happen multiple times per episode. A similar one is a commercial workout, doing push-ups or jumping jacks when a car or insurance ad airs. (Something like this is perfect for a rainy or too-hot-to-breathe day, too!) Although this can’t replace your cardio, it’s a way to keep moving instead of staying a couch potato.
Another option? Crank up the tunes. You can motivate yourself to work out until a new album or playlist finishes. If you’re tired of the same-old, same-old on your iPod, check out this list of 19 Best Workout Songs for Your 2015 Get Fit Playlist!
- Beat the Boredom
If you spend every morning staring at the same spot on the wall as you run the treadmill, no one would blame you for feeling bored. Routine can help consistency, but one of its dangers is monotony. Try using the elliptical for cardio one week and the stair climber the next.
Don’t be afraid to try something new, either. If you’re not sure where to start, check out a website like POPSUGAR Fitness, with videos and diagrams of routines, or sign up for a class at your local gym. Something as simple as running outside or lifting at a different time of day can spice up your ritual. Whatever happens, don’t let the exercise ennui set in again — variety will keep you moving even after you’ve settled into a new practice.
Remember you can stay in top form with Innergize!®, Reliv’s electrolyte drink that provides the minerals necessary to maintain proper electrolyte balance during physical activity. Plus, Innergize! contains a combination of fructose and complex carbohydrates to give you added energy. It’s a win-win!
Be sure to talk with your physician before beginning any exercise program. Each individual has different health needs that should be considered before attempting a new program.