At this time of year, many of us are thinking about toning up for summer, boosting our confidence before we hit the beach, and enjoying more time outdoors. In the warmer months, gym memberships soar, workout videos on YouTube grow in popularity, and sales of protein shakes and other health supplements increase.
But, we don’t all love to work out. The idea of hitting the gym might fill you with dread. There’s no rule that says you have to love exercise, nor that only gym bunnies can love their bodies. There are some fantastic ways that you can make fitness fun, enjoy exercise, and have a great time, all while toning your body, improving your stamina, and boosting your confidence without ever going near a gym. The best news is that the summer, when the weather is good, is the best time to do it.
Get Your Skates On
Running is great exercise. So is walking. But are they fun? Does anyone really have proper fun when they run? Skating, on the other hand, is always fun! Skating is fantastic exercise. It works your legs and glutes, improves your balance and core strength, and gets your heart beating faster. It’s also a fun way to get from A to B. Invest in some good outdoor roller skates and start enjoying exercise.
Join a Team
Team sports are something that many of us left behind in childhood. In fact, those awful gym lessons, getting picked last for teams and hating every second, are often the reasons why we hate exercise. Bad experiences in childhood can lead to unhealthy relationships with exercise, and even a lifelong phobia of fitness settings.
The good news is that adult team sports are different. You can join a beginner’s team (or even start your own) in your community. You’ll be playing with likeminded people who are participating because they want to, not because they are being forced to. You can even try something totally new that you never played at school.
Get Social
You might hate running alone, but what about a steady jog while talking to a friend or in a group? How about a long hike with your partner? Sometimes, simply having someone to talk to makes exercise more interesting. You might enjoy it much more if you are there for the conversation, not the exercise.
Dancing
Dancing is great exercise that burns lots of calories without ever seeming like a workout. You don’t need to join a club or take a class to get a workout in; you can just dance around the kitchen while you are making dinner.
Play with the Kids
If you’ve got kids, playing with them is an awesome form of exercise. Run around outdoors, play soccer, climb trees – even playing with dolls and figures is moving more than sitting on the couch. Stop watching and start getting involved. If you don’t have kids, spend time with family members and friends with children. Get everyone playing together.
The main thing to remember when it comes to enjoying exercise is that all movement counts. If you are moving, you are burning calories, raising your heart rate, and using your muscles.
