Ever plucked up the courage & motivation to start exercising, then sit there & think crap, but what exercise do I do? Or what are my exercise options? I can imagine a lot of us have had that feeling at some stage or another, I know we definitely have. So, we just wanted to bring some ideas as to how you can potentially pick a style of exercise.
Align your exercise to your personality & interests
By aligning your exercise routine with your personality or values, your chances of turning exercise into an on-going habit increase significantly. Don’t feel obligated to do something because that is what society says, or something your peer group does. Instead, focus on aligning your exercise with something you love or feel drawn to.
Do you love being outdoors & experiencing nature? Then build an exercise routine around running, cycling or kayaking outdoors. Are you an extrovert that loves being around people? Then sign up for exercise classes or participate in yoga groups. Or do you have a competitive streak? Then join a sports club, push yourself at park runs or join a running club
Pick a type of exercise that your life situation allows for
Yes, I know, we probably should be saying something like “exercise should be your priority, organise everything around it.” However, we all recognise that life isn’t that simple. It is important that we don’t set ourselves up to fail by picking a type of exercise that isn't feasible.
As an example, we have 3 young children & are trying to start a company alongside full-time employment & motherhood. If we were to commit to gym memberships, we would be like passing ships in the night & probably not go as we wouldn't have the time. Instead, we focus our exercise on home Hiit workouts as we can do it with the kids in the morning. This saves us time, includes the kids & still allows us to workout.
If you have a job that takes you all over the country, maybe you could get into running, or sign up for a multi-gym membership that gives you flexibility as you travel.
Match your exercise to your level of fitness & preference
It is important that we keep matching the exercise we do with the level that our fitness is at. If you are a beginner, don’t set yourself targets to jump straight into an hour-long gym sesh. Look to start sensibly & build up your fitness level over time. Focusing on building routine & consistency to your progression.
Also, try matching your exercise to what you find enjoyable. Sometimes we might like the thought of being good at something, but do we actually enjoy the exercise itself? The more enjoyable we find something, the more likely we are to turn it into a permanent habit.
Overall, the most important element is that that you pick a type of exercise that fits in with your personality, interests (lifestyle & physical), life situation & level of fitness. By aligning your exercise with these, you will be more motivated to turn this into a lifestyle change that helps benefit your physical & mental health
Much love,
Simon & Dannii
#HelpTransformLives