It can become very easy for workout routines to become tiresome and boring. Like other things in life, if you don’t switch up your pattern, exercising can become mundane and unfulfilling to the point where you might even dread or avoid it.
Fortunately, working out doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, there are many ways to find joy in exercise! One great way to keep the monotony at bay is to switch up your workouts every few weeks. Adding variety to your exercise routine can help you stay on track in the long run and keep you from feeling stuck in a rut.
Below are four steps you can take to get back on track and rediscover your love for fitness.
1) Plan For Success
No matter what your fitness goals are, if you don’t approach your workouts with positivity and determination, your plans may eventually fail. Physical activity should not be a punishment.
Instead of approaching your fitness routine as something you “have to do,” try setting a more positive tone to your activities. If you’re having an especially rough day trying to get the motivation to work out, remember why you wanted to start exercising in the first place. Did you want to get healthier, lose weight, or reduce your stress? Keep these goals in mind as you prepare for your workout and stay focused on the positive.
2) Explore New Activities
Many people fall into the trap of believing that physical activity means you must spend hours in a gym lifting weights and running on a treadmill to see positive results, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Physical activity comes in so many forms – from CrossFit workouts, to calming yoga sessions, or even taking your workout to the pool and swimming a few laps.
Have you ever wanted to try rock climbing? What about kick boxing? Well, now is the time to try! Make a list of all the activities you would like to try and look into scheduling a beginner class near you. You may be pleasantly surprised at how much you like these new activities. When it comes to exercise, take the time to explore new activities and local opportunities around you.
3) Coordinate Your Workouts
Set a weekly schedule of workout and rest days, giving yourself enough time to recover between those extra hard workout days. To avoid fatigue from overtraining, try organizing your days so you’re doing something different every day of the week.
- Try out a group class at your local gym.
- Coordinate a workout day with friends and family members.
- Try working out at different times of the day. Some people feel energized after working out in the morning, while others feel sluggish if they don’t work out in the evening.
- Take one or two “active rest days” a week by going for a walk. Walking or running outdoors in nature can also help you feel restored.
- If your schedule is a little jam-packed, try fitting in quick workouts between meetings, classes or errands throughout the day.
4) Record Your Progress
One valuable, but often overlooked item that everyone should carry in their gym bag is a fitness journal. Having a visual reference of the progress you are making towards your goals can be a great motivator. Whenever you’re feeling down or unmotivated, flip through your fitness journal and see how far you’ve progressed. This journal can be a powerful driving force to keep you driven to continue your fitness journey.
Don’t like to write? You’re in luck. Many fitness apps or devices can help you track your daily progress and update your goals, all without a pen and paper. So the next time you work out, you’re covered!
Take Care of Yourself
Remember, working out doesn’t have to be a chore. Switching up your routine and trying new activities, or even something as simple as changing the scenery can work wonders.
However, if working out is literally a pain, schedule an appointment with Airrosti today. Our Providers will work to treat the source of any aches or pains and create a personalized treatment plan for you. Airrosti can help get you back on your feet fast, often in an average of 3 visits (based on patient-reported outcomes), so you can continue doing the activities you love most.
Read our Medical Disclaimer here.
