According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), less than 30 percent of adult Americans are becoming the recommended amount of daily exercise. We know that exercise is essential to our well-being, why aren’t we making time to be physically active?

You Need a Long-term Strategy.

Maybe it’s because popular perceptions of exercise view it as a labor-intensive chore and something to become dreaded or avoided. How often have you skipped it altogether because the thought of a grueling workout was enough to transmit you running in a different direction?

Attitude is everything, particularly when it boils down to your health goals. If you’re attempting to lose or manage weight long-term, gain energy, improve your endurance and build lean muscle mass, you need to find the FUN in fitness and add some spark to your workouts.

Tips for Finding FUN in Fitness

You’re more likely to stay consistent with exercise and crush your purpose if you enjoy what you’re doing. Think about these tips for learning to ENJOY your workouts:

Take it Outside

The outdoors is known to be an endorphin booster. If you’re tired of exercising behind closed doors, reap the benefits of a general change in scenery and hit the “refresh” button. Exercising outside can also be stimulating because it gives you a lot more to look at and take in.

Invest in Feel-food Workout Clothes

Consider ditching the sweats and plain white tee for a fun new style to motivate more movement. Patterned workout wear and clothing with funny, inspiring or meaningful text/imagery will make you feel empowered, thus also adding capacity to your workouts.

Avoid Over-exercising

Exercise is healthy, but it’s easy to do too much. Over-training can lead to both mental and physical fatigue, but it can also stop your body from necessary recovery. You'll need time to rest, rejuvenate and make time for other things you love and care about.

Work Out for a Cause

If you’re thinking about 5K’s and other races or sports, consider signing-up for those giving to your favorite causes. Many marathon races support non-profits that take advantage of monetary fundraising. A good cause can keep you motivated.

Grab a Group or Partner

You understand what they say…we’re better together! Exercising having a consistent workout buddy or number of buddies can not only help you stay entertained and make time pass quicker, but also push you and hold you accountable for your plans.

Blast an Energizing Soundtrack

Turn up the volume on your favorite workout songs to distract in the physical struggle and drown out stimuli who are around you. Add songs to your playlist having a moderate-fast tempo and lyrics that push you to keep moving, even if you’re exhausted.

Choose Workouts You Truly ENJOY

If you find no inspiration on a treadmill inside the gym, take your workout to a local park or hiking trail. If lunges don’t cut it, dance to some Zumba or similar soundtrack. Choose exercises you undoubtedly enjoy doing because you’ll become more motivated to keep it up.

Try an Accountability App

Many apps and weight loss programs offer incentives, such as money or donations designed to your favorite non-profit, for exercising and reaching weight-loss goals. These social apps/programs can motivate you to try harder for a promising payoff.

Consistency Constitutes a Difference

Just like permanently weight-loss requires changes in lifestyle beyond a temporary diet, getting fit requires an ongoing commitment to exercise. You’re much more likely to keep moving and stay challenged if you’re having fun. Don’t get stuck in the cycle of dreading the next workout. Instead, make it something you genuinely look forward to and can’t miss!