7 Tips for People Who Hate Exercising

Not a fan of exercising? Here are 7 tips for people who hate exercising. It might make it a little easier!

This post brought to you by Famous Footwear. The content and opinions expressed below are that of Clarks Condensed.

Since Jack started preschool, we’ve been a little bit better about going to the gym.

His preschool is about 20 minutes from our house, and the gym we go to is just up the street. We figured it was a good time to work out, since we didn’t really have excuses.

It has quickly become something that I’ve really come to enjoy. I’ve never been the best exerciser – though I’ve tried my best – but I’ve found over the years some things that have made me enjoy exercising more. I love the “me time” that it gives me – I’ve found that some of my best ideas and thoughts come while I’m exercising.

But it definitely hasn’t always been that way.

This fall, it really has become a goal of mine to get healthier, and with Jack being in preschool right by our gym, it has helped. I also understand what it’s like to want to exercise…but hate it as well. So here are a few tips that have helped me overcome that – especially as my kiddos get older.

Pick Something You Don’t Hate

I think this is key to being able to enjoy exercising. For the longest time, I tried to be a runner. I downloaded Couch to 5K. I would try and run at different times of day. I even signed up for a jogging class at BYU (though I promptly dropped it).

And then I realized – I don’t have to run. Sure, it’s a great form of exercise – but it’s not the only form. I found that I started to enjoy exercising more when I found something I enjoyed doing.

I never really think you should make yourself do something if you hate it the whole time. So, I found that I loved the elliptical machine! I get a great workout, but I don’t feel like I’m watching the clock as much as when I run.

I’ve also found that I really enjoy playing tennis with Forrest and the boys. Will I ever play with anyone else? No, because I’m terrible! But I love it, and I always end up feeling like I had a great workout while having fun at the same time.

Buy Cute/Comfortable Clothes and Shoes

These might seem a bit vain, but hey, if it gets you out and exercising – no shame in buying something new. I feel a lot better when I’m exercising when I have an outfit on that is meant for exercising (and not just an old t-shirt and sweats).

Exercise clothes are meant for exercise – and I think it makes it easier! I also think having the right shoes is super important.

I just recently replaced my old running shoes with a pair of new Women’s Flex 2016 RN Running Shoe from Famous Footwear, and seriously, it feels good to have some new shoes. My other pair – although I loved them – were starting to get holes in the toes. It just makes me enjoy exercising a little more when my shoes fit the part.

Find some good tunes or entertainment

Whenever we get to the gym, and I’ve forgotten my headphones, I’m so annoyed! I love listening to music or watching a show while I exercise – it just makes it a little more enjoyable.

I think Pandora is a great option because it has all the music options you could need – and it’s free (unless you want to pay for no commercials :).

Lately, I’ve been watching the new episode of “This is Us” on Hulu on the day we go to the gym during Jack’s preschool. We usually stay longer than we usually would, so I love having a 45-minute show to watch during part of my workout.

I’ve really started looking forward to it, and I even resist watching it live just so I can watch it during my workout. It’s become nice “me” time, which is often hard to find.

Know your End Goal

Do you want to lose weight? Write that number down. Do you want to tone your muscles up? Put that goal on your phone.

Do you just want to be healthier so you can be around for a long time for your kids? Write it down.

Whatever your end goal is – even if it’s just to maintain a healthy lifestyle – make sure you know what it is. I find that when I’m working toward a goal, it makes it so much easier to stick to.

While I want to lose weight, this little guy and his brother are my main motivation. I not only want to be healthy for them, but I want them to grow up being active.

Be accountable to someone

This is so important – especially if you really don’t love to exercise. It is SO easy to just say “okay, I’m just going to skip today” when the only person you are accountable to is yourself.

And it should be someone that will actually push you to go – not just someone who will say “oh, okay. You don’t have to go today.” Find someone that will give you some tough love and is willing to check up on you to make sure you are following through!

Involve the Family

I love being with my family. We are together almost 24/7. While some people would go crazy, I think the more time we can be together, the better!

So, it makes sense that I would suggest including your family – because that’s my favorite kind of exercise. When the weather is nice, we go on a walk nearly every day. I absolutely love doing this during the fall because the sun isn’t so strong, the weather is a little cooler, and it’s so nice to be able to look at the changing colors in the leaves.

Jack typically rides his bike while I push Oliver in his stroller or wear him in my Ergo. We sometimes will play soccer in the backyard, or more recently, we’ve started playing Tennis. Though, please excuse my messy pony tail – #momlife, right? Jack will play a little bit, and then when Forrest and I play, he LOVES being the ball boy. Oliver is so mellow, he enjoys just watching and playing with an extra tennis ball. It’s fun to exercise with your family – and it creates great memories in the mean time. I don’t even feel like I’m exercising, but I usually end up feeling like I got a good workout at the end of the day.

Eliminate Excuses

Make exercising a part of your schedule. When it becomes a part of your daily routine, it’s easier to do. If you don’t make a specific time of day your exercise time, it is a lot easier to make up excuses.

This is why I’m glad we’ve made going to the gym part of our routine while Jack is at preschool. Believe me, we are the king and queen of excuses for not going to the gym (mainly me), but now that it’s a part of our routine, I don’t really question it.

Show how you have “me time” and are celebrating the fall on Instagram – make sure to tag Famous Footwear on Instagram