Many people have had negative experiences surrounding exercise. It might have been during childhood, or the intimidation felt when visiting a gym. It might even be the guilt associated with wasted money spent on an exercise machine that quickly became a dust collector. Either way, some of these negative feelings towards exercise are hard to shake.
It’s no wonder that so many people seek out the latest diet or meal replacement powder in the search for results without exercise. Yet deep down, I think most people know that diets alone often don’t get the results they’re after and that exercise is good for you on many levels.
So how do you overcome a dislike of exercise?
Simple. Don’t over-think it. Just get started.
Go for a short walk. Turn intention into action. Start out slow and build up gradually. You don’t need to experience pain to benefit from exercise, especially as a beginner.
If the thought of better sleep, heart health, energy, bone strength and weight control aren’t enough of a reason, why not focus on a sense of personal achievement? Often, the first step is the hardest, but once you begin, it can open up a new world of self improvement and self belief.
Challenge yourself to do it for a few weeks and see how feel. Give your body a little time to transform from inactive to active, and it will reward you for it.
Does the word exercise make you shudder? Does the thought of getting red faced and sweaty make you cringe to the core? What do you think is the best way to overcome a hatred of exercise?