Stop forcing yourself to do exercises that you don’t enjoy. It’s okay to “date” other types of exercises. And ‘test the exercise waters’ until you find the ones you connect with. The good news is there are plenty of exercises to choose from.
Long Term Success
When we choose exercises, or someone “assigns” us exercises that we do not enjoy, there’s a pretty good chance we won’t stick to them. We may do them for a little while, but they more than likely won’t make it for the long run.
We can easily learn to enjoy new exercises, when we actually like performing them. Having an open mind and being realistic proves to helpful in keeping individuals motivated and eager to explore new ways to move their bodies. When you find something that brings you joy, you look forward to it, and it becomes a part of who you are.
The Mental Component
For me, I always wished I was a runner. I would train over and over, but couldn’t find the enjoyment in running. Additionally, I didn’t run fast. In high school I especially came to loathe running as we had to consistently run during basketball practice. When the coach did alternative cardio training like jump roping, I was always thrilled. I thought it was because I was out of shape, but I later learned that it was okay for me not to like running. I could jump rope for what seemed like hours, in comparison to running for the same amount of time. And since they are comparable as far as cardio output, I opt for jump roping to this day. I’ve learned to embrace the type of exercises that I enjoy.
Stress
Exercise is a great way to reduce stress. It also releases the stress hormone, cortisol because it is a stressor on the body. This is not necessarily a bad thing; in fact it is considered normal. When we choose exercises that we feel connected with, it can bring us joy. Our mind controls more of the body than most people understand. Perceived stress, like when we do something we hate, can increase cortisol levels.
Cortisol does not make you fat, but excess cortisol is linked to an increase in visceral fat. Although excess cortisol is linked to obesity and can inhibit the process in which our bodies build up muscle proteins—it can also break them down.
So, is exercise bad for me? No, not at all, especially when you find exercises that you like and you’re able to ensure that you are not overtraining your body. Normal exercise is healthy and downright necessary. The key is not to force yourself into long exhausting, undue hours in the gym, doing exercises you hate. Instead, go out and find an exercise that you enjoy and keep doing it!
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