People who frequently engage in physical activity are at a reduced risk of developing major illnesses like cancer, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and coronary heart disease. They also reduce their risk of early death by up to 30%. With all of these benefits, it’s important for us all to look to incorporate regular exercise into our lives. Unfortunately, many of us struggle to follow a consistent fitness routine because we don’t look forward to exercising. Here are three reasons why it’s so important to find a form of exercise that you truly enjoy and look forward to.
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You’re more likely to build long-term habits
Once you get into a routine of regular exercise, it’s easier to stick with it as the workouts become a habit. During the Covid-19 pandemic, there was a boom in usage of online fitness resources as lockdowns made it impossible to exercise in gyms, pools and other public places. After restrictions were lifted, 72% reported using online fitness resources just as much or even more than during the pandemic. This is likely down to the convenience of internet-based fitness classes.
There’s so much variety online that it’s easy to try tutorials and classes for new forms of exercise you might not otherwise have access to. Plus, online classes allow you to exercise at a time that perfectly suits your schedule, and in the comfort of home with no need to travel. When you tailor your exercise to perfectly suit your preferences and lifestyle, you can more easily make it a part of your routine on a long-term basis.
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2. You’ll reap the mental health benefits
Physical activity is proven to support good mood, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve sleep quality. People with existing mental health problems can better manage their symptoms when they work out regularly, but it can be tough to find the motivation to exercise when you feel low or anxious. When you find exercise that you genuinely enjoy, it’s easier to push yourself to do it, even at challenging times. Plus, having a fulfilling hobby is generally good for emotional wellbeing because it can serve as a form of distraction and provide a sense of purpose.
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3. You’ll feel motivated to push yourself
Starting each workout can be hard enough but even once we get going, we often find ourselves dialling it in if the exercise is boring. To get the most benefit out of physical activity it’s important to gently push your limits and work to continually improve your stamina and strength. When you find a form of exercise you really enjoy, you’ll naturally feel the desire to get better at it. You may even find it easier to set goals and push yourself during every workout.
Find a workout routine that works for you
No matter if it’s lifting weights, hitting the basketball court or going hiking, any form of physical activity is great for your health. The trick is to find a form of exercise that you genuinely enjoy so that you can look forward to your workouts instead of avoiding them.
