Stop Working Out and Play Instead

I removed the term workout from my vocabulary early in my career as a personal trainer. We work all day. Who needs to work more? I favor using the word movement because in terms of maintaining or improving health and wellness, movement is essential while exercise is optional. Most adults find physical activity unappealing.  

According to the data from the 2018 National Health Interview Survey, only 53 % of adults 18 or older met the physical activity guidelines for aerobic exercise and an even lower 23 % of adults met both aerobic and strength training recommendations. Most people know that getting off your derriere and moving is a healthy thing to do, but what gets in the way?

There are three myths that may be limiting your exercise enjoyment. Let’s create a new reality where movement is playful and becomes an activity you get to instead of should do.

Myth #1: Exercise is hard.

New Reality:  Associate movement with pleasure and you will do it more often. 

If you are training for the Olympics or some type of competition, then pumping iron and training hard is essential. Most people are looking to maintain or improve their health.

For sedentary individuals, increasing physical activity is the first goal. If I, as the professional, clutter their heads with numbers and rules, in my experience, they are less likely to adhere to the plan. I encourage my clients to become attuned to their bodies and move in a way that feels good.  As movement becomes habitual, the client feels better and naturally moves her body more often. 

When you start to look for movement opportunities all day long, you see the whole world as a gym. You walk through a doorway, place your arms on the frame and stretch. You lunge slowly up the stairs and maybe even set alerts to do 10 squats every 30 minutes that you are sitting.  And as you feel better throughout the day, your body becomes programmed to crave movement. 

Myth #2: I must go to the gym to get fit.

Reality: Your body is a machine made for movement.

Equipped with 360 joints, your body was made to move. What if you got curious about a different body part each day? Start with your shoulders. Circle your arms. Squeeze your shoulder blades together. Pretend like you are swimming. Be fully aware of what feels good and what does not. Keep doing what you enjoy. Each day explore moving a different part of your body including your fingers and toes. 

Eventually as you develop a relationship with your body, you will begin to relish the opportunity to explore more complex patterns of movement, and, who knows, you might even pick up a dumbbell and play.  

Myth #3: Exercise is boring.

New Reality: When exercise is play, you enjoy it.

Let’s go back to childhood.  What did you do on the playground? Were you the team sports kids or were you doing monkey bars by yourself? Identifying what you enjoy Is the first step in choosing activities that align with your needs and desires.  If you don’t enjoy lifting weights, maybe you benefit from hauling dirt in the garden instead. Walking on a treadmill is a bore. Try hiking up a hillside and enjoy the outdoor air.

Are you ready to replace “No pain. No gain” with the phrase “More pleasure. More treasure?” Seek out fun and enjoyment and exercise will be an activity you adore and look forward to every day. Then watch how your begin to choose movement instead of inactivity because it is a lot more fun. 

Gina Fontaine is an Author, Speaker and SuperMom Mentor. For over 30 years Gina has been on the cutting edge of body / mind fitness. She is passionate about whole body wellness and living a thriving, successful and satisfied life. A good Mom always puts her kids first is a myth that most moms fall for, taking care of everybody else, leaving them frazzled, fried and no fun. Gina has developed a system and fitness format to help women recover their sexy body, excitement and live a fully satisfying life. A life that includes taking care of family and treating yourself first. She outlines this method in her book You Are a Supermom: 5 Ways to Reclaim Your Superpower and Thrive as a Mom. https://www.ginafontaine.com