| I know I don't need to tell you that anything that is fun | | | | going salsa dancing or taking a salsa class with the |
| will hold and keep your attention, and would therefore | | | | spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend. |
| be more likely to be included in you life on a long-term | | | | 7. It can open the door to like-minded people who help |
| basis. We love fun things because they make us | | | | support you in your efforts to incorporate |
| happy, and we want to continue doing things which | | | | unconventional forms of exercise into your life. |
| make us happy. | | | | 8. Your exercise space is more likely to be in a |
| So why do so many of us continue to subject | | | | 'non-exercise' environment such as your home, a |
| ourselves to "rote-routine" exercise programs that are | | | | dance studio, the beach, the park, your backyard etc. |
| non-engaging, flat and boring. I have never known | | | | Therefore this removes the mindset of having to be in |
| boredom as ever succeeding in convincing anyone into | | | | 'exercise-mode' as you would be in a gym for |
| doing anything for very long? Boredom in anything, | | | | example; plus you are surrounded with the familiarity of |
| especially exercise, is unnecessary and it should be | | | | your home, family, dog or whatever resonates |
| avoided by all means necessary! Here are a few | | | | comfort for you. When you exercise for fun, you are |
| reasons why from now on "fun in exercise" should be | | | | there to be in enjoyment of the activity and this is the |
| your new motto: | | | | primary focus. In fact it's not exercise at all. It is just |
| 1. It gives you the impetus to do something that you | | | | something you love doing. |
| probably wanted to try out, and now you finally have | | | | 9. Fun in exercise fuels long-term desire. Most people |
| an excuse to try it out. Eg. Tennis, volley ball, dancing, | | | | say that they have a determination to exercise, but |
| etc | | | | determination is greatly mind-directed. Let's face it, we |
| 2. It puts you in the mode of wanting to do the activity | | | | can easily get caught up in the "minefield" of our minds. |
| which you find fun and enjoyable. Therefore you do it | | | | Determination may seem great on the outside, but I |
| more often. | | | | feel it bears too much weight on the mind, and not as |
| 3. When others see you enjoying yourself and loosing | | | | much on the heart and soul which really are our true |
| weight, they ask questions and your single act of | | | | driving forces. |
| having fun in exercise may encourage others to be | | | | While determination gets you pumped up for the task |
| more active themselves. | | | | at hand, it is desire which keeps you going when your |
| 4. Exercise on its own has been found to be a stress | | | | mind can't reason with the pain or the obstacles that |
| reducer, but when it is fun too, your heart is truly into it. | | | | come in the way. This is what keeps you going when |
| This can be a true soul booster and you really feel the | | | | the diet plan is over or the gym membership has |
| euphoria from the experience. | | | | expired. |
| 5. You look forward to something that you find | | | | I wish you much luck in deciding which activities are fun |
| enjoyable. | | | | for you. Some activities you may consider are dancing, |
| 6. It is easier to solicit the involvement of family, friends | | | | kick boxing, marathons and walking for a cause |
| etc. to become part of a fitness activity that is fun and | | | | activities, joining a walking or running online "meet-up" |
| enjoyable. Eg. Bicycling, playing basketball in the | | | | group, indoor "rock climbing" etc. Choose an activity |
| backyard with the kids, playing volleyball on the beach, | | | | which makes you feel good and always make it fun! |