How are you going with your exercise goals? Are you going strong or like many of us, have you slacked off? When we feel guilty for not keeping up with our exercise goals, the temptation is to force ourselves to exercise, even when we don’t feel like it. Here’s why forcing yourself to exercise is bad for you:
We must work with our bodies, not against them
Our brains are full of receptors. When we accomplish something we set out to do, reward receptors begin firing and we feel a sense of accomplishment and pleasure. However, if you force yourself to do something, then the reward receptors don’t fire in the brain. To get the full benefit from exercising, you must want to and choose to.
So what can we do when we know we should exercise but just don’t feel like it?
Know your why
Keep your fitness goals in front of you. Are you trying to lose a certain number of kilograms? Are you trying to fit into an outfit for a special occasion? Or do you need to improve your health? Exercising for no reason is torture (let’s be honest). But if we know the why behind what we are doing, it helps to motivate us.
Get a buddy
Exercising with a friend can bring the fun factor and the accountability you need to stick to it. Motivate each other. When one person feels weak and wants to give up, the other person can be strong and motivate you to stick to it. Two are better than one.
Reward yourself
If the gym feels more like a torture chamber than anything else, then ditch it for a more creative workout experience. For instance, if you love the ocean then go for a jog along the beach. You’ll be exercising while rewarding yourself with a beautiful view. If you need motivation to get up early, why not go for breakfast with your friend after the workout. The reward of a satisfying breakfast will keep you motivated to complete your workout.
Let’s be real here. For many of us, exercising is a discipline that we need to get better at. But we don’t have to do it alone.
One of the areas that can develop with the help of God is self-discipline. When we enter into a relationship with God, He promises to strengthen us and give us the tools we need to live a great life. If you would like to know more about this, click on the link below or on the pop up.