🏋🏻♀️ What’s not to love about working out, or simply moving your body? The rush of endorphins? Beating your personal record? The feeling that your lungs are seizing, your muscles are burning and your legs are threatening to fall off?
Hey there 🤗
In today’s chapter of the Navigating the New Year guide, we’ll be entering the world of fitness. We’ll be sharing the secrets on how to enjoy exercising, in addition to workout routines that you should try. So, lace up your shoes and get ready to sweat 💪🏻👟✨
Sometimes, getting started on your fitness journey can be a daunting task. Or maybe the word “exercise” fills you with dread. Don’t worry – we’ve got your back with some game-changing tips that will transform exercise into an enjoyable activity!
How to Have Fun Working Out
Work Out With Friends 🫱🏻🫲🏻
*Photo from Pinterest
Who doesn’t like spending time with friends? You’re less likely to feel bored when you have a friend to workout with 🏃🏻 – catching up and having a laugh during exercise and breaks can help time pass quickly! Besides, you’ll also feel more motivated and consistent when working out with a friend as you have someone to encourage you and keep you accountable.
Create Time to Exercise ⏳
*Photo from Pinterest
“I didn’t exercise because I didn’t have time.”
Make exercise a non-negotiable part of your routine! 📅 Set aside specific time slots for your workouts, and treat them with the same importance as work or meetings. Soon, working out will become second nature, much like most things you do every day, such as making coffee or brushing your teeth. This dedicated time to exercise not only ensures that you prioritise your well-being, but it also gives you a break to look forward to!
Treat Yourself 🍦
*Photo from Pinterest
Maybe you broke your personal record, or you tried a new exercise, or you’ve recently gotten back on the fitness grind. Whatever it may be, it deserves a small celebration and a treat 🥳 Rewarding yourself can be as simple as a post-workout smoothie🧃, brunch at a cafe 🥞, or a relaxing bath🛁 You can even treat yourself with new shoes or a workout set! Knowing there’s something waiting at the finish line adds a little touch of excitement and motivation to complete your exercise routine!
Listen to Music 🎧
*Photo from Pinterest
🎶 Music has a magical way of turning a mundane activity, like working out, into something fun and enjoyable 😁 Create a playlist featuring your favourite upbeat songs that are sure to boost your energy levels and get you in the groove for your exercise session! 📈 It can help improve the quality of your workout by increasing your endurance and putting you in a better mood.
Do What You Love 🤍
*Photo from Pinterest
If you hate your workout, it’s going to be difficult to feel motivated or excited to move your body 😖 So, incorporating activities and exercises you genuinely enjoy can make working out a lot more fun! You might be drawn to running and getting your heart rate up 🏃🏻, weightlifting in a gym 🏋🏻♀️, contact sports ⛹🏻♂️, the controlled movements of pilates 🤸🏻, or the slow stretches of yoga 🧘🏻♂️. It’s important to think about what you love and why you love it. When you find an activity that you love, working out will stop feeling like a dreaded task and you’ll be more likely to stick with it.
Reminder 💌 - Don’t do something just because you think you should.
❗Challenge Yourself
Here are the rules:
- Download and print the bingo worksheet (it’s linked below!)
- Try a new activity each day and remember to check it off
- Remember to take breaks when you need to
- Complete the bingo sheet in a month!
Hopefully, you’ll be able to find exercises you love through this challenge. Good luck and you got this! 💪🏻💪🏻
❗Extra Challenge
If the challenge sounds too easy, or you want to continue challenging yourself throughout the year, here’s some suggestions to give yourself an extra push!
- If you can complete a 1km run in 8 minutes, try aiming for 6 minutes, then 5 minutes - see how fast you can go 💨
- Stretching sounds boring? Set a goal to be able to do the splits, or a backbend!
- If you’ve gotten used to beginner pilates, try out intermediate or advanced level classes
- Choose a longer or more difficult trail for hiking
- Find a path with uphills and downhills instead of walking on flat ground
*Photo from Pinterest
Reminder 💌 - It’s important that you listen to your body, move at your own pace, modify your workouts to suit you, and take extra breaks if and when you need to!
Workout Routines
Lastly, We’ve got you covered with some workout routines created by fitness trainers on YouTube! These exercises are designed to be done in the comfort of your home, making fitness accessible and enjoyable.
*Photo from Pinterest
- Lilly Sabri
🤸🏻♀️ Want to try pilates but have no access to a studio? Check out Lilly Sabri’s pilates workouts which will leave you feeling invigorated. Her videos include modifications for difficult moves so don’t worry if you’re a beginner!
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LillySabri
- Caroline Girvan
For those that are more advanced and love a challenging workout, Caroline Girvan’s workouts might just be perfect for you 💪🏻 She posts HIIT and circuit workouts tailored to specific muscle groups, providing a targeted approach to full-body fitness👟
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CarolineGirvan
- MadFit
Maddie Lymburner, or MadFit, is known for her fun and engaging dance party workouts🕺🏻Her exercise routines are carefully crafted to fit with a mix of music – from throwback hits to the latest hits from TikTok and Taylor Swift, and even K-Pop, there’s something for everyone! Time will effortlessly glide by, leaving you drenched in sweat💃🏻
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MadFit
- Heather Robertson
🤼 If you’re getting into kickboxing, or just want to try it out, Heather Robertson is you go-to. Her dynamic and empowering cardio kickboxing workouts are sure to get your heart pumping🥊
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Heatherrobertsoncom
With numerous options available online, feel free to explore the vast landscape of fitness, finding workouts that resonate best with your preferences and goals!
Click here for the printable worksheet!
Follow us on our social media!