For many people, the biggest obstacle to exercise is time; finding the time needed in our busy schedules. If it’s a low priority, like all your other low priorities it’s pushed back to the end of the queue. So exercise needs to be a high priority in your life, but for this to be sustained in the longer term, you have to want to do it and to get to this point you have to enjoy it and essentially see it as fun.
I was recently on TV in San Francisco talking about 5 Simple Things You Can Do Today To Make Exercise FUN! Click here to see my interview.

1 Fun: if you want your exercise to be fun and enjoyable you have to be prepared to give fun a chance. You’ll have to change any negative thinking such as, I have no time for exercise, it’s a pain in the butt or a waste of time. Instead, you’ll need to develop a positive mindset; exercise is good for my health and makes me feel good. It also makes me look good, helps me relax and helps me sleep. Of course it’ll help big time if you can find activities [e.g. walking, running, swimming, cycling, yoga, pilates, zumba, dancing, etc] that you really do enjoy once you give fun a chance.

2 Relationships: over the years living in Dublin, London and Charleston I’ve always found it much easier to keep exercising on a sustained basis when I do it with other people. Now you can do it alone some of the time, even most of the time, but if you want it to endure, do it with your family, friends and/or colleagues. Exercise is a great way to build new friendships but perhaps more importantly you can nurture and develop your current relationships.

3 Personal Time: while exercising with family and friends will be great fun, don’t underestimate the benefits you can get from exercising alone. In reality, it’s hard to find someone to do it with every time you want to exercise. When you exercise alone you have time to think, to consider important issues in your life and make decisions. You have time to be creative, to destress or simply to unwind. So embrace your personal time and enjoy the experience.

4 Outdoors: now the weather is not always conducive to exercising outdoors but whenever possible you should take advantage of the opportunities which exist right on your doorstep. You’ll need to dress appropriately but don’t let this get in your way of enjoying your local parks, beaches, mountains, lakes and rivers. I promise you this is a game changer if you want to truly have fun and enjoy your exercise.

5 Holidays: the next time you go on holidays try to make it an active, outdoor one with exercise [e.g. skiing, cycling, walking, swimming, running, sailing, etc.] the focus of your attention. Do this with your family and friends and you’ll bring your fun and enjoyment to a whole new level! The best part of this approach is that you’ll truly enjoy the eating, drinking and partying so much more. One last thing, when you travel, remember to use your Sanctify Club membership. Have Fun!

“You don’t have to be fit and healthy to start but you do have to start to be fit and healthy!”

Jim Kirwan
Get America Moving