Fitness
Mission: Can I Get Kelly Ripa's Body?
Fitness
13 Excuses Super-Fit Chicks Never Make
Hate to exercise? These expert tips will motivate you to reach for your running shoes
The Excuse: "Exercise is boring"
Yes, mindlessly running on a treadmill while watching the news on your gym's TV can be a total snooze fest. But dancing in a Zumba class, rock climbing, and paddle boarding are the exact opposite of dull -- and they still count as exercise.The trick is to continually search for workouts that are fun so you actually enjoy exercising. Aside from trying new classes at the gym, Williamson says, "I browse YouTube a lot to see what new stuff folks are trying out; it's interesting to see what some people do with little to no equipment."
But even if you do stick with your regular routine, Barry Jay, co-founder of Barry's Bootcamp, says you can create a fun environment to motivate yourself to get through even the most mundane routine. "Lighting, amazing music of all genres, and humor can help you push through a workout," he says.
Another way to keep exercise from getting old is to add in the element of competition, says Dr. Amir Vokshoor, MD, a neurosurgeon who studies the brain in relation to athletes at the DISC Sports and Spine Center in Marina del Rey, Calif. He explains that after awhile, anything we do repeatedly (like lifting weights or 30 minutes on the elliptical) becomes easier, and that's when our brain starts to resent the exercise. "When an exercise isn't fun anymore, the brain needs surprises, risk, and danger," says Vokshoor. "Competitive sports can give you that risk and danger."
SEE NEXT PAGE: The Excuse: "I suck at sports"
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