How Did Exercising Become So Difficult?

Here are a few tips to make it easier

When you were a young child, no one had to tell you to move. You may have chased your siblings, danced, ran, skipped, played hide and seek, etc. It was fun! What happened to decrease the natural joy you felt when you were moving your body?

When you were a little older, were you embarrassed if you did poorly in a sport? Perhaps you were anxious when you were up at bat and everyone’s attention was focused on you. You didn’t want to let your teammates down, but you struck out and felt bad. Or perhaps a gym teacher or coach criticized you in front of your peers. Maybe you were self-conscious because the gym shorts, leotards or swimsuit drew attention to your body. If you were uncoordinated or just out of breath trying to keep up with your friends you felt foolish. Any of these experiences could cause you to retreat from physical activity.

To overcome exercise avoidance start by recalling activities that you enjoyed when you were younger. Did you enjoy riding a bike? Jumping rope? Dancing? Shooting hoops or tossing a ball? What’s keeping you from doing it now? Give yourself permission to start slowly. You don’t need to do it perfectly; it’s not a competition; no one cares if you don’t have perfect form.

Don’t worry about what other people think. If you’re self-conscious, find a setting where you won’t be observed. If you get tired, stop and come back to it another day. If necessary, you can start with a simple walk around the neighborhood. Don’t expect to see immediate results when you step on the scale and remember that increasing activity isn’t a reason to reward yourself by eating more!

The important point is that you’re reconnecting with your body, becoming less sedentary, and maybe having some fun.

If you have any suggestions for overcoming exercise inertia, please share them with us in the comments section.