How to fall in love with your fitness journey (actually)

Fitness is crucial for maintaining good health and overall well-being. However, not everyone enjoys working out, and it can be challenging to stay motivated when you just absolutely hate it here. 😋 If you're struggling to find joy in your fitness journey, that can make achieving your goals a lot harder, but it also just makes you stop and ask yourself... Why? Why do all of this if you don’t enjoy it?

There are about one million or more different ways for 99% of you to get to your goals. This means if you hate running, you don’t have to do it. Some people quite literally can’t do it, but some people have just not been told that they can achieve their one fitness goals in multiple different ways - and experimenting with what you like is encouraged!

Today we're going to help you learn how to fall in love with your fitness journey, even if you think you hate working out! Let’s go through the tools and strategies you need to make physical activity a regular part of your life and enjoy the many benefits that come with it! <3

Find an Activity that you enjoy

When it comes to exercise, there are many different types of exercise you can explore. From running and weightlifting to yoga and dance classes, the options are endless. Instead of sticking to a workout routine that you hate, try experimenting with different types of physical activity until you find one that you enjoy. When you find an activity that you love, you'll be more likely to stick to it and make it a regular part of your life.

The benefits of doing an activity that you enjoy extend beyond just the pleasure of the activity itself. When you find joy in working out, you're more likely to stay motivated, push yourself harder, and achieve better results. Additionally, doing something that you love can reduce stress and anxiety, making your fitness journey a positive experience rather than a negative one.

So if you're struggling to find joy in your fitness journey, try exploring different types of exercise and activities until you find one that feels right for you. Remember, it's about finding what works for you, not about forcing yourself to do something you hate.

Set Realistic Goals

Setting goals is an essential part of any fitness journey, but it can be especially important if you hate working out. By setting realistic and achievable goals, you’re able to stay motivated and see progress over time. It's important to remember that progress does takes time, so it’s all the more reason why it helps when fitness is an enjoyable part of your routine.

When setting goals, make sure they are specific, measurable, and realistic (known as SMART goals). For example, instead of saying, "I want to lose weight," try setting a specific goal like, "I want to lose five pounds in the next month by going for a 30-minute walk three times a week and cutting out sugary drinks." By making your goal specific, you can track your progress and adjust your approach as needed.

As you achieve goals, don’t forget to celebrate those small victories along the way too (losing an inch, getting consistently better sleep, finding a healthy dinner you love, etc). If you reach a milestone or achieve a goal, take the time to acknowledge your hard work and celebrate your success. This is a super helpful strategy for staying motivated and feeling a sense of accomplishment.

Your fitness journey is unique to you, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to setting goals. Take the time to figure out what works for you and what you want to achieve. When you set realistic goals that align with your values and desires, you'll be more likely to fall in love with your fitness journey and stick with it for the long haul.

And one last thing about goals: set your goals for you. Don’t set them based on society’s standards, don’t set them because that’s just a mindless goal that “sounds good.” Think about what you truly want from this. There is no wrong answer: if you just want to move your body and feel good, that is a totally good answer! If you just want to stop feeling so crappy, that’s fair; you shouldn’t have to feel like that! The point is: know why you’re setting the goals you’re setting and be very clear on them. Way too many people came to me as a personal trainer asking me what I think their goals should be. That’s okay if you don’t know immediately, but challenge yourself to dig deeper.

Make It Social

Working out with friends or even complete strangers has positive impacts on your fitness experience and even your fitness results! Making fitness more social provides consistent accountability and support, which makes showing up even easier.

One way to make your fitness journey more social is to drag your friend along with you (or family, coworkers, etc). Look for someone who may share similar fitness or wellness interests, and who can provide motivation and support along the way! You can challenge each other to hit new goals, challenge yourselves with movements, and try new exercises.

Another option is to join a fitness class! Many gyms offer a variety of classes, such as yoga, Pilates, kickboxing, and spin classes. Not only can you meet new people and make friends, but you can also learn new exercises and techniques from experienced instructors.

Social media can also be a powerful tool for making your fitness journey more social. By connecting with like-minded individuals and documenting your progress online, you can get support from your friends. You can also use social media as a way to reach out to individuals who tag your gym’s location to reach out to make new friends! It really can be as simple as shooting over a DM and saying that you’re new to the gym and want to make friends!

Focus on Non-Physical Benefits

When it comes to fitness, it’s easy to focus solely on the physical benefits, such as the weight loss or muscle gain. While these benefits shouldn’t be ignored - it's also important to remember the many non-physical benefits of exercise too!

Physical activity has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, boost mood and energy levels, and improve overall mental health. Regular exercise can also improve sleep quality, increase cognitive function, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

When you focus on the non-physical benefits of exercise, it can make the journey more enjoyable and less daunting. Instead of fixating on your appearance or physical performance, focus on how exercise makes you feel. Do you feel more energized and less stressed after a workout? Are you sleeping better at night? By focusing on these benefits, you'll be more likely to fall in love with your fitness journey and make it a regular part of your life! <3

Mix It Up

One of the main reasons people fall out of love with their fitness journey is boredom. Doing the same exact workout routine day after day can become monotonous and tedious if you’re not keeping it spicy enough. It's good to mix things up and try new workouts and movements, even if you’re an athlete (ie: powerlifter) who sticks to generally the same movements while in-season.

There are many ways to switch up your training routine. One way is to try a new class at your gym. There are so many wild and fun style of fitness to play around with: dance, martial arts, aerial yoga, trampoline fitness, pole dancing, and soo much more cool stuff out there. Not only can you learn new techniques and exercises, but you can also meet new people and make friends as you dive into different niches of fitness and movement.

Another way to mix up your fitness routine is to incorporate different equipment. If you usually stick to the treadmill or elliptical machine, try using the rowing machine or stairmaster instead. You can also try resistance bands, kettlebells, or medicine balls to add variety to your workouts. There are many different ways that you can switch up the variation of a movement to keep things interesting and still work towards your goals!

And my favorite: outdoor activities such as hiking, swimming, and cycling are such incredible ways to switch up your fitness routine! Not only do these activities provide a change of scenery, but they also provide an opportunity to get some fresh air and vitamin D, and that’s pretty dang good for your mental health and overall well-being too!

Stay Positive :)

Progress takes time, and you’ve got to be patient with yourself and trust the process. It's easy to become discouraged if you don't see immediate results, but remember that every small step forward is actual progress.

A positive mindset and self-talk are probably one of the biggest focuses that a majority of people need to work towards when it comes to falling in love with the journey. Instead of focusing on what you can't do, celebrate what you can do and how far you've come. Focus on those small victories, such as completing a workout or lifting heavier weight than before. Encourage yourself with positive affirmations and self-talk, such as "I am capable," "I am strong," and "I am making progress every day." It might feel cheesy, but it works and it is pretty necessary.

Tracking your progress is also an excellent way to stay positive and motivated. Keep a fitness journal or use an app to track your workouts, measurements, and progress over the weeks. Seeing how far you've come can be incredibly motivating and give you the confidence to continue pushing yourself!

Mental Health matters

Your fitness journey doesn’t just have to be about physical health, but it’s impactful for your mental health too. You can keep this in mind when you’re setting goals (ie: are you training for mental health or physical health?) On the other hand, also keep mental health in mind when you start feeling resistant to exercise too. It’s okay to take breaks, practice self-care, and do things that bring you joy and happiness. :)