How can I find the motivation to exercise?

Everyone needs exercise, at least 150 minutes a week. But the truth is, exercising isn't a hobby or habit for everyone.

We all need exercise, at least 150 minutes a week, to stay healthy - Photo: Emery Physical Therapy

Even fitness enthusiasts and professional athletes have days when they can't stand the thought of going to the gym or tying their shoelaces for a run. This is normal. Here are some tips to help you find the motivation to exercise.

Change your exercise routine.

Even seasoned exercisers sometimes get bored. When they lose interest in working out, many people make small changes, such as performing sets at a slower pace or trying new exercises. Even just changing the order of their favorite exercises can be helpful.

Research shows that experiencing new things makes us happier overall, and a regular exercise routine is one way to apply that.

Change not only keeps things fresh but can also lead you to discover passions you never knew you had. If you're bored with your Sunday morning yoga, invite a friend to go hiking or challenge yourself with a new piece of equipment at the gym.

Start with just 10 minutes a day.

In exercise, setting goals that you can stick to long-term is crucial. "Start by setting a goal that you know you can commit to 100%, like exercising for just 10 minutes a day," says one expert.

"Once you start exercising, you might want to do more, but doing a little bit each day can help you stay on track. You can gradually increase the length and intensity of your workouts as you get used to the routine and build endurance."

Once you get used to the 10-minute routine, you can always add another workout session during the day. Plus, exercising for longer periods can encourage you to want to extend your workout time next time.

Incorporate exercise into your schedule.

If you're not interested in working out and your schedule is packed, you're likely to procrastinate. One way to avoid this is to schedule specific workout times on your calendar.

Planning your health and wellness routine is just as important as any other essential task.

Whether it's 7 minutes or 30 minutes, incorporating exercise into your schedule ensures you're more likely to maintain consistency.

Although some research suggests that certain exercises are best performed at specific times of the day, most experts agree that consistency is far more important than timing.

If your daily lunch break is a time when you can commit to consistent exercise, make it a habit. Morning, afternoon, or evening doesn't matter, as long as you maintain a consistent routine.

Remove barriers

If you're having trouble finding the motivation to exercise, you'll want to avoid any obstacles that might make you more likely to give up.

To increase your chances of success, visualize the following day and where your workout will be scheduled. The day before your workout, think about any minor obstacles you can anticipate and what you can do to eliminate them.

Prepare your gym gear the night before or charge your headphones so you can listen to your favorite playlist while running. These simple checks can help ensure nothing is getting in the way of your workout goals.

Find a travel companion.

Sometimes, we all need a little outside supervision to achieve our fitness goals, especially when we feel discouraged at the thought of exercising.

Experts recommend that people find a friend or family member who also wants to incorporate exercise into their lives.

While having a workout buddy is great, you don't need just one fixed friend. Try signing up for a regular gym class or a running club.

The reason is that "training as part of a group, with people who have similar goals, can create a sense of community. This will boost your motivation."

Treat yourself

Sometimes the best motivator is a small reward – but don't choose a cupcake after your yoga session.

Instead, you could save your favorite podcasts for each week and only listen to them while exercising. You'll combine your workout with something you already enjoy, making you more likely to want to do it.

You'll walk more if you save your favorite show to watch while you're on the treadmill. Not only does it help you stay focused while walking and potentially keep you going until the show ends, but you'll also want to go back to the gym to... listen again.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tim-dong-luc-de-tap-the-duc-cach-nao-20241025185956387.htm