SOS! Save Me from a Boring Exercise Routine

I don’t know who came up with the concept that to be fit, we have to create a routine and stick to it. It is not that I don’t understand why. After all, practice makes perfect, right? The only problem is that routines are BORING, and if we can’t find joy in an activity, we’ll ditch it sooner or later.

Every time I think about the reasons that made me drop out of a particular exercise class, I end up with the same answer: I was not having fun. You’ve probably heard this a million times: fun is essential to keep us motivated. Keep in mind that physical activity is a lifelong habit, so you might want to find activities you enjoy. You may already know what you like, and in this case, all I can tell you is go for it. But if you are like many people who can’t seem to find any exercise (besides lifting a fork) that they could possibly enjoy, I might have a few insights for you. The plan is to associate exercise with pleasurable activities to create an overall positive experience. This may mean introducing variety to a dull routine or creating new challenges to be beaten.

Below, I listed a few simple ideas that might help you rescue the fun-factor of your program.

1. Partner-up.

Many studies show that people who exercise with a group or a buddy are more likely to stick to a program. Exercising with someone else builds accountability between you and your fitness partner. This is because you won’t want to let your buddy down, meaning that you probably won’t come up with excuses to skip a session.  It also generates a supportive environment, providing the much needed encouragement to stay on track. And having someone to chat with during a workout session is a good way to clear your mind and make time fly.

You can have several workout buddies for different activities, creating a more active lifestyle. For example, invite a friend for a weekly walk-and-talk, get your husband (or boyfriend) to go to a ballroom dance class with you, or play active games with your kids (or grandkids) in your backyard. You can even get your dog engaged in quick walk/jog intervals once or twice a week. See, you don’t have to hit the gym to fill your week with fun physical activities.

2. Exercise outdoors.

A recent research pointed out that exercising in natural environments has a great impact on both mental and physical well-being. The study showed that many participants reported greater feelings of satisfaction and enjoyment with outdoor activities when compared to indoor activities[1]. Therefore, if you can’t see yourself working out between walls, head out to a park and have some serious fun. The options are endless. The warmer weather is great for hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, kayaking, or swimming. But the colder months also offer some great options such as skiing downhill or cross-country, snowboarding, or snowshoeing. You don’t really have an excuse to stay at home watching TV.

3. Host a workout-video party.

Does spending time with your girlfriends mean countless margaritas and whopping calories? The good news is that it doesn’t need to be that way. Next time it is your turn to plan a “Girls Night Out,” invite them over for an active happy hour.  Load up on healthy snacks (and skip the booze), and choose a fun workout video such as “Dancing with the Stars.” You and your friends will get a great workout, while laughing out loud. I bet they will be looking forward to your next party.

4. Learn a new skill.

Don’t tell me that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Learning should be a lifelong process. The development of a new skill is a great way to engage both mind and body in an activity. When learning a new motor skill, our brain has to figure out movement patterns and muscle recruitment, creating mental stimulation which improves brain function and protects us against cognitive losses that occur with aging.

A new activity also adds challenge to a previously steady routine, which promotes excitement and feelings of accomplishment. So, go ahead and try a totally different activity. It can be a sport you always wanted to practice. Or maybe something exotic that can boost your self-esteem such as belly dancing. You can even try out your son’s taekwondo class. (Yes, they do have adult classes as well.)

5. Create a friendly competition.

How many times have you watched “The Biggest Loser” and thought that you could do better? If you have a competitive personality, you might benefit from and even enjoy an extra challenge. Create a mini competition by inviting a group of friends with similar goals to join you in a friendly tournament. Write down the rules, stipulate a timeline, and choose a reward. It doesn’t need to involve body transformation or athletic performance. It could be something as simple as recording exercise hours and comparing them at the end of a month. The important thing is to have a defined goal. When we have an anticipated goal, motivation gets us going.

You are not exactly the competitive type? That’s ok. You can compete against yourself, and no one needs to know. Your goal is to do better than you did last time. It can be holding a plank pose longer, or doing one more push up. Have in mind that challenges keep motivation high because they contribute to feelings of success in the long run.