Working out can sometimes take a back seat. Too tired, children, work, weather – the excuses are endless, and be honest, we have all made them from time to time.
Truth is, I used find myself with the same old excuses, a LOT, until I genuinely sat down and thought about it, and realised that the dread came from the exercise I was doing. I soon found that doing things I enjoyed, be it boxing, HIIT, or swimming, it wasn’t so much a ‘to do’ dreaded chore, than something I actually started looking forward to.
Exercise doesn’t have to be boring. Begin by giving yourself permission to let go of the pressure on yourself to run, or to do something that bores you because you think it’s just the way exercise should be. Find something you like – try a new fitness trend, go to the dancing class, take a friend and make it fun. If you are training for a specific event, like Michiel, this can become a little harder, but I always try and throw in a boxing session a week, because I know he enjoys it – same with biking!
Me, with some friends – making working out FUN! (After selfie, is always a MUST!)
A great thing to remember, is also to realise that what we enjoy today, may be different to tomorrow, next month, or next year – and that is OK! When it comes to your attempts at a healthy lifestyle, be it diet or exercise, try to figure out, what ISN’T serving you? What is stopping you? Be honest with yourself, and cut them out.
I love HIIT workouts – short blasts, that I can do before I have even started my day properly!
Once we start to make something a passion instead of a chore, it does become fun, we start to look forward to it, and keep it up on a regular basis – so we are also more likely to SEE the transformation, which makes it even easier to keep up.
Trying something new with Michiel – Kayaking in New Zealand – we loved it!
I also love to dwell in the ‘after feeling’. You will often see me lying on my mat, covered in sweat, just being for a while after exercising. Thanking my body, thanking myself, and allowing myself to fully embrace the good hormones that I have just created for myself. Enjoy it.
Here’s an example workout of one of my 20 minute morning HIIT sessions, give it a go! If you like it, great, if not – move on to something you do enjoy! Plus, good music always makes it easier to get through – I love a good house or dance music mix!
- 20 SQUATS
- 20 BURPEES
- 20 PRESS UPS
- 1 MINUTE OF AIR PUNCHING
- 20 LUNGES (RIGHT)
- 20 STAR JUMPS
- 20 LUNGES (LEFT)
- 20 WIDE SUMO SQUATS
- 20 LEG RAISES
- 20 TRICEP DIPS (USE A CHAIR)
- 20 MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS
- 1 MINUTE RUSSIAN TWISTS
Repeat if you can, within 20 minutes! Remember to stretch and bask in your post workout happiness afterwards!
