Unconventional Ways To Make Sure I Enjoy Working Out
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Unconventional Ways To Make Sure I Enjoy Working Out

Motivating yourself to work out is hard, take it from a lazy girl

18
Unconventional Ways To Make Sure I Enjoy Working Out
Life By Lexie

I've spent a lot of time being sick and tired. Various health scares, trips to the ER, and injuries color my life. Surprisingly, I got very in shape after I had knee surgery -- despite having a totally atrophied leg from months of not being able to put weight on it, I had abs of steel from the crutches.

But, as I healed, I didn't need physical therapy anymore, so I stopped working out. And I stopped wanting to work out because all I did was running (which made me feel out of breath and wheezy) and lunges (which made my knee hurt).

Fast forward a few years and I've seen the inside of my university gym probably twice. I'm not athletic or physically active, yet I live in a city so at least I walk everywhere and eat healthy-ish. But somehow, something clicked in my head and I decided I needed to work out again. That same kind of click spurred me to learn to play guitar, to save up for a study abroad year in London, and it was going to spur me to get in shape (I hoped).

Now I'm about a month into my workout routine, and here's what I'm learning and what doing to make sure I actually like working out:

1. Don't force the workouts you hate

Things I can't stand doing: lunges, squats, and running. The first two make my knee aggravated, and not in the hey-at-least-I-did-something way that sore muscles do. Then running always made me feel out of breath, like I might pass out or throw up. You know what also makes me feel like I'm going to pass out or throw up? Panic attacks! No wonder I don't like running.

2. Get Pinterest Inspiration

I refuse to pin inspirational quotes, but I love combing through exercise routines and yoga poses to get inspired. I started out using Pinterest Pins to set a schedule: each day I would do a different workout routine. Some days would be full of leg kicks and lifts, other days would have crazy ab exercises, and others would have cool-down yoga that became much harder than a "cool-down" is supposed to be. I don't always do them every day, but I certainly try!

3. Don't focus on losing weight

I'm a control freak. Losing weight wasn't the purpose of my new exercise plan, it was to get in shape and get healthy. I only weigh myself once a week, and I try not to obsess when my weight doesn't go down like I expect it to, or even when it goes up. "But I must be burning fat!" I think, but my mom counters that I'm also gaining muscle, which weighs more than fat. I'm still not entirely happy, but I just have to acknowledge that weight loss isn't a curve, it's a really squiggly and complicated line that never really goes where you expect it to. So don't freak out.

4. Your habits might change

A couple weeks into my new routine, I noticed that my eating habits were shifting. After a workout, I might crave salty chips (since I was losing so much with sweat), but I definitely noticed that my body needed breakfast more and that I didn't crave chocolate, sugar, and fatty foods the way I used to. I still like ice cream, sweets, and snacks, but I don't crave them as much.

5. Be open to try new things

At the start I said "I'm not going to run or do squats or lunges" and I had some valid reasons, but one day I got caught in the pouring rain and had to jog to dry ground. And as it turned out, I wasn't dying. Running wasn't nearly as painful on my lungs or my knee as it used to be--I had probably been building up endurance and strength in other ways. So I decided to go for a run one morning and it so happened that I sort of loved it. So I keep running. I sometimes have to elevate and ice my knee afterword just so I don't push my body too hard, but my dad offered the helpful tip that running is actually great exercise for knees.

And I know things won't change overnight. I won't wake up and suddenly be super skinny or super fit, but I keep reminding myself that how I look on the outside isn't the point of what I'm doing, it's not the goal. The goal is to get a healthier version of myself with healthy habits. I don't want to look better, I want to feel better. That's what exercise, for me, is about.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

Michigan Rain Vs. California Rain

Michigan rain vs. California rain (at Calvin College).

1622
Michigan Rain Vs. California Rain
ifunny

SO, I've just recently had the fortunate experience to be reminded just how Michigan rains. Now, before you roll your eyes at me, I HAVE EXPERIENCED RAIN (in regards of the the popular joke that Californians haven't). However, I have to agree; after experiencing one of Michigan's thunderstorms (with my college's sirens blaring in the background), it comes to mind just how different "rain" is between the two states:

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

21 EDM Songs for a Non-EDM Listener

Ever wanted to check out EDM music, but didn't know where to start? Look no further! Start here.

5984
21 EDM Songs for a Non-EDM Listener
www.wallpapersafari.com

If you have been following me for a long time, then you know I write about two main things: relateable articles and communication media based articles. Now, it is time for me to combine the two. For those of you that don't know, I am a radio DJ at IUP, and I DJ for a show called BPM (Beats Per Minute). It is an EDM, or electronic dance music, based show and I absolutely love it.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

100 Reasons to Choose Happiness

Happy Moments to Brighten Your Day!

24711
A man with a white beard and mustache wearing a hat

As any other person on this planet, it sometimes can be hard to find the good in things. However, as I have always tried my hardest to find happiness in any and every moment and just generally always try to find the best in every situation, I have realized that your own happiness is much more important than people often think. Finding the good in any situation can help you to find happiness in some of the simplest and unexpected places.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

6 Things Owning A Cat Has Taught Me

This one's for you, Spock.

10045
6 Things Owning A Cat Has Taught Me
Liz Abere

Owning a pet can get difficult and expensive. Sometimes, their vet bills cost hundreds of dollars just for one visit. On top of that, pets also need food, a wee wee pad for a dog, a litter box with litter for a cat, toys, and treats. Besides having to spend hundreds of dollars on them, they provide a great companion and are almost always there when you need to talk to someone. For the past six years, I have been the proud owner of my purebred Bengal cat named Spock. Although he's only seven years and four months old, he's taught me so much. Here's a few of the things that he has taught me.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

Kinder Self - Eyes

You're Your Own Best Friend

11276
Kinder Self - Eyes
Pexels

It's fun to see all of the selfies on social media, they are everywhere. I see pictures with pouty lips, duck lips and pucker lips. I see smokey eyes, huge fake lashes and nicely done nose jobs, boob jobs and butt lifts. Women working out in spandex, tiny tops and flip flops. I see tight abs and firm butts, manicured nails and toes, up dos and flowing hair. "Wow", I think to myself," I could apply tons of make-up, spend an hour on my hair, pose all day and not look like that. Maybe I need a longer stick!"

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments