Revamp your Fitness Mindset: Finding Fun and Joy in Exercise
Who LIKES to workout?
Anyone? Bueller, Bueller?
Yes, most of us do not like to workout. Many of us are scared to go to the gym - what do I wear? Am I fit enough for that class? We know we NEED to exercise or that we SHOULD get in shape but the Desire to workout seems to be reserved for a specific kind of person: your neighbor who wakes up at 4 am to run several miles or your best friend who never misses her yoga class.
The lovers of exercise are like my husband. They were probably good at sports growing up and maybe even played in college or were competitive on the recreational scene as adults.
I am not like my husband. The majority of us are not like our friends or loved ones who find joy in pushing to the next level or see exercise as a ritual that cannot be skipped without major consequences on our happiness.
Most people - just like me for most of my life - enjoy the really fun things - like ice cream, TV binges and going out with friends.
Unlike my husband or your friend with ripped abs, I was one of two girls cut from my high school softball team and I quit cheerleading on day one of tryouts. I have always been awkward and uncoordinated. When I met Jonathan in my 20s I started running with him and paying more attention to what I ate and drank. But running only kind of worked for me as exercise, and only sometimes - I would run then get injured then do nothing for several weeks or months and then run again. Jonathan tried to get me to do lunges and yoga and swimming but it was like pulling teeth and despite completing my first marathon (with pain/mostly walking), I still pretty much hated exercise.
But that all changed when we moved to the Pacific Northwest to pursue Jonathan’s career and passion in fitness, and we started our business, Spears Strong.
I found my Desire for exercise. I found it fun. I found how good feeling good feels. And I ran three more marathons feeling good with my fastest at 3 hours 43 minutes!
Reframing how we think about exercise can set us free in so many ways. Most people think they need to sweat or be in pain for a workout to be worth it but that’s a myth and the opposite is actually true. We need more gentle and moderate movement on a daily basis if we want to live long, healthy and happy lives.
“... reframing our relationship with fitness can have an enormous impact on our overall well-being,” Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D., a psychologist at Stanford University says in this excellent article on how to reframe your relationship with exercise. We would agree with the statements in this article and we can help you on your journey to enjoying fitness. Every month we focus on a different aspect of health and fitness and this month our theme is Mindset Training. We give Spears Strongers tools to work on their mindset, grow and learn. Our clients do our movement sessions in person and via our robust video library. They feel good and are strong and do things like run marathons, play golf tournaments, play with grandkids, crush it at tennis, succeed at work and so much more.
It’s not about being like my husband or any of those people who just love sports and exercise. It’s about finding the desire - the motivation- to do the things you need as a human to be fit and healthy so you can enjoy and succeed as you take on this abusrd ride we call life.
Since the birth of Starting Spears my perspective on exercise has completely changed and I am continuously surprising myself at how much I now enjoy working out and even pushing myself! I learned working out is not about suffering. It’s not about looking a certain way or weighing a particular amount. Fitness is about not having pain in my body. It’s about feeling stronger and more coordinated than I have ever felt in my life at age 41.
If you are like me, consider reframing how you think about exercise. What gets you excited to move? What is your desire? We can help you find it. The “quest for joy” referenced in the article is an excellent way to improve your health and fitness. Because no matter how much we know we should do something, if we dodn’t have the desire to do it, it will inevitably fail.
Spears Strong gives me the freedom to do all the things I love - and that still includes eating ice cream and watching tv (in moderation) but it also includes trail running, playing chess and running a business.
You don’t have to be passionate about “exercise” to get in shape. You just need motivation to do the work of taking care of yourself so you can continue to pursue all your passions in life - for the long term.
Curious? Need help uncovering what motivates you? Let’s chat! Email me here to set up a complimentary consultation.