Hate Exercising? 5 Steps Towards Changing your Mindset

If you feel as if exercise just isn't for you, don't throw in the towel yet. Here are five ways to try and find a little joy in working out.
Hate Exercising? 5 Steps Towards Changing your Mindset

Last update: 25 July, 2019

We all have a different fitness journey and some of us might have even grown to hate exercising. If that sounds like you, check out our five steps to making peace with it!

Who hasn’t seen fitness hotshots keeping up with a healthy lifestyle with an upbeat attitude? But if that’s not you, staying in shape can be complicated. But, changing your attitude towards it is easier than you think.

Hate exercising? It isn’t your enemy

So, maybe you haven’t had the best experiences with exercise. While a true joy for working out doesn’t develop overnight, working on the little details can make a big difference.

With that said, if you want a knock-out body, healthier lifestyle, and habits, it’s time to put these ideas into practice:

1. Don’t hate exercising: find yourself

Exercise is a time where your body, movement, and mind come together. As a result, it gives you control and the power to discover what makes you feel like you.

You don’t have to go to the gym just because all your friends do. Instead, there are plenty of other workout alternatives. Everyone is different, so the first step in learning to appreciate exercise is finding something that you enjoy doing. 

Don’t limit yourself to the most common workouts or to repeating the same routine and wishing you’ll somehow change your mind about it. The world is your oyster: flamenco fitness (Fitflamc), suspension training, Zumba, LISS and more.

hate exercising options

2. Free your mind

If you work out every time with thoughts such as, “I hate exercising”, establishing a good relationship with your workouts won’t be easy.

Starting with a negative mindset won’t help you change. On the contrary, it’ll only intensify your negative feelings. Instead, free your mind from negative thinking and make room for new experiences. Give exercise a chance to surprise you.

3. Hate exercising? Get motivated

Perk up! Don’t exercise in a grumpy mood. Some people can easily change their moods but if that’s not your case, try relying on the other elements such as:

  • Music: if you love music, integrate it into your workouts. Make a list of your favorite songs and listen to them as you sweat.
  • Clothes: if you like dressing up for occasions, take the chance to get on top of fitness fashion and work out motivated.
  • Friends: extroversion is a good way to stay motivated. Invite your friends to work out with you. Together, you can hold each other accountable and have a better time.

These are only a few ideas to find motivation and to help you to not hate exercising. Try anything that comes to mind until you find one that helps you enjoy working out.

4. Give it some time

You need to taste, chew, try and retry a new dish in order to determine if it’s a favorite or not. It’s the same with exercise: you need to do it, sweat, and repeat a few times to really get a feel and enjoy it.

In the same line of thought, you don’t develop habits overnight. Don’t quit a workout after just a few days. Give it some time and it’ll grow on you and become an important part of your routine!

hate exercising time

5. Hate exercising? Apply discipline

Make a promise. You have to be consistent in your choice. Don’t worry if you miss a workout but remember to hang on to perseverance and goals to progress.

Exercising isn’t your mortal enemy– in fact, it’s just the opposite. In light of that, don’t limit yourself and try to find one that better suits you. Hating exercise is nothing more than ignorance of a world that can make you happy and healthy.


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This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.