Why Finding Fun In Fitness Will Help You Stay Motivated

Breath-stealing interval training and weight circuits might be best for fat burning but doing exercise you love is far better at helping you stick to it. Follow Kristina Olson’s playbook for finding your passion and motivation.

If you’re like me, you’re probably familiar with the struggle to find enjoyment in fitness. The gym can become a place you loathe and the monotony takes a toll on all that progress you worked so hard for.

Don’t let this bump in the road stop you living a healthy lifestyle and enjoying your fitness journey. Rather, put the fun in your exercise session by making it a priority in your fitness programme.

There is a positive correlation between intrinsic motivation and fun. In short, the more you enjoy a task the more you’ll persist during said labour and the more willing you’ll be to participate in the future.

Of course, this isn’t groundbreaking news. However, it’s worth exploring variables within fitness, like friendship, social support, competition and curiosity, since these can result in increased enjoyment and have been linked to long term success of fitness programmes.

Love will find its way

Aligning yourself with like-minded individuals who have similar goals in areas of fitness you love will give you a more enjoyable and positive experience. Not sure how to make training friends? Try attending a new class or fitness events.

From yoga and kickboxing classes to fitness expos, there are plenty of opportunities to expand your ‘fitfam’, especially with the huge number of obstacle races, mud runs and bodybuilding contests available. These types of events offer an excellent platform for you to have some fun while challenging your body.

If you’re looking for high intensity, check out a Spartan Race or Tough Mudder. Want a ‘women only’ challenge – try Dirty Girl Mud Runs. If you just want to get your feet wet but you’re not really into the obstacle course scene, there are plenty of 5K runs out there, and the Color Run is a fun and easier option to take part in with friends who don’t even exercise.

If music is your thing, there are runs like The Music Run that showcases live bands at different stops throughout the journey. It’s important to link your fitness with the things you love doing, because there’s never been more choice of unusual fitness events that cater for everyone. If fans of The Walking Dead can dress up and do zombie runs, then you can put your brains, to use, or on show, to get fitter.

Ignite your inner child

It’s worth exploring your passion for knowledge (of course you have it, otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this magazine) because there are clear links between curiosity, exploration and play.

As adults, more often than not we’re interested in the ends as opposed to the means. Our emphasis on ends takes the play out of focus and consequently the fun. However, embracing your inquisitiveness without fear of consequence can be the perfect way to bring the fun back, while also keeping you active and introducing your mind and body to new stimuli.

It can be as simple as trying something new that’s completely outside of your comfort zone. This will provide you with an opportunity to check your ego and have no consequences if you fail. Archery sounds fun, right? So, give it a go, and whether you’re a crack shot or not will give you the confidence to both succeed or fail gracefully, providing you with a renewed poise to embark on new adventures and make fun a top priority in your programme.

By putting the outcome of each workout second behind actually enjoying it, you’ll quickly find that your goals are achievable sooner than you’d ever thought possible.

Find fitness advice and more in every issue of TRAIN for HER magazine.