I don’t get it. Everyone always talk about the “have-to’s”  and the rules for losing weight and getting healthy.

• You have to do High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)
• You have to run or bike or swim
• You have to work out every day
• You have to do resistance training

I never hear people talk about doing what is fun and what you enjoy!

The only thing you HAVE to do is move…and  you know what, it should be FUN!

Look at kids.  They have a blast running through a sprinkler, or playing tag, or jumping on a trampoline, and they are smiling and staying in shape all at the same time!!  Find something you look forward to doing.  Otherwise, you will never maintain it.  It might not be running through a sprinkler, but maybe it is!!

If you are sitting there at your desk, and you are dreading going to the gym and having an argument with yourself…”You know, you really should go to the gym.  You had a cookie today and you are taking your kids out for dinner tonight.  But, you did work out hard yesterday, so maybe you need a break.”  Blah blah blah.

Imagine this instead.  You are sitting at your desk, excited, looking forward to working out.  Does it seem impossible?  Well, it’s not.  There are a LOT of different things  you can do at the gym.  Or outside.  Or at a yoga studio.  Or at a barre/pilates studio.  It’s just about finding it.  Then, going to work out never becomes a “Should I.”  It becomes a “I can’t wait!”

Running isn’t for everyone, and that’s OK

Listen, I have a friend who could run for days.  And she LOVES it.  I remember when she first started getting back into shape, it was no question for her what she was going to do at the gym.  She got excited about going and getting on the treadmill.  She started off running and walking, then she was running only at about a 10 minute mile, and now she’s running for an hour at a time at an 8 minute mile.  Wow!!  You know what though?   I HATE it.  Do I run?  Yes.  But I  much prefer to lift weights or yoga or barre or spin.  I can’t do the same thing everyday.  I pick the thing I look forward to doing that day, and do it.  Not what my friend wants to do.

It’s a process.  Just start moving.

When I first started working out, I didn’t really look forward to it either.  But, I have now been going consistently for about 10 years.  I wish someone had told me to find something I enjoyed vs. just having to go.  But, what happened is that I loved step class.  I went consistently and then when  step went out of style, I was already hooked on the feeling I felt after I worked out.  So, I went to yoga.  It took a few different classes to find the type of yoga I liked, but I found it and had no issues getting to the studio.  Now, I just like to do something, and every day it changes.

You will find something you like, or maybe someone you like

You might go to a few classes and hate them…don’t go anymore.  Once you find something you like, you will keep going.  And then,  you will find you want to branch out into other things.  The other thing you will find is that if you go on the same days at the same time, you will see the same people.  Sometimes it’s the people that keep you going.  You will make friends, and the conversations alone or seeing your friends will motivate you to get to the gym.

Don’t get caught up in the Have-Tos

Everyone is going to give you their opinion and tell you what worked for them.  But that is the key…it worked for THEM.  If someone told me I had to run an hour every day to get in shape, I would feel sad and defeated.  Don’t get caught up in that.  Do what is right for YOU.  You can listen to what people have to say about what worked for them, and you can even try it.  But, don’t do it if you hate it.  Life is too short.

Good luck in finding your happy workout.  I know you will.

Yours in building a positive life,

Kristin