Article created by: Denis Krotovas
Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe many of us know that exercising at least sometimes brings a lot of benefits that include not only our appearance but also makes us feel better, helps us forget about all our problems and maybe even motivates us to eat healthier. However, I am pretty sure many of us also just can’t bring ourselves to step into a gym or start running or do whatever sport we have in mind.
Luckily (or not), we are not alone. One Reddit user started a thread asking people online to share their fitness hacks that they have personally discovered that are absolutely game changers. So, folks, if you struggle to start working out or actually enjoy it – scroll on through to find out more, complete with an interview with Joey Thurman, fitness/nutrition expert and Gina Harney, women’s fitness specialist who shared even more useful tips!
More info: Reddit
M60. I quit the gym and got a dog. I walk/jog/trot for 3 to 5 miles per day. Outside exercise is the best.
Three days a week I go for a longer walk. One day I go fast on a flat trail. And two days a week I do intense hills with a twist: Do the uphills going backwards or sideways. That is my leg day. Then walk fast on the flats and take my time on the down hill sections. Two days per week I do to the dog park and stand around so the dog can play with other dogs. And I chat with the humans.
When there is yard work I trade out the long walks for yard work. Raking, sawing, clipping, chopping, etc for the upper body work out. I have 3 acres of orchard to tend so this works out if I use all hand tools.
The only thing left now is to train this dog to attract single women my age. If I could get this dog to give me an opening with that woman in the purple coat I could be happy forever! /humor, or wishful thinking.
I always burned myself out when getting into a routine. Going slow and making incremental adjustments over time really is keeping me from hating it!
Fun. If it’s fun, you’ll keep coming back. This is why I joined a climbing gym.
Well, I’ve discovered that vigorously dancing around my living room pretending I’m in a music video burns just as many calories as a gym session. Plus, I get to practice my award-winning air guitar skills at the same time! Who needs a treadmill when you’ve got imaginary crowds cheering you on?
Work from home only trick:
I used to try to wake up earlier to workout and failed miserably. I’m not a morning person. However, I can wake up 30-45′ earlier if the prize is a cup of coffee, a quiet room (the two kids will wake up shortly) and start my work routine: e-mail checking, prepare for the day…
Now I created a 30′-45′ buffer to take a break from work sometime later that day. And I use it to workout. When you’ve been working non-stop for 3-4 hours, your body will crave the workout, because it is a way to stop working. So now I workout nearly every weekday. Hope it helps sompebody!
It’s so basic but there is very little that water will not improve. Got a headache? Drink some water. Drowsy? Drink water. Sick? Drink water. Food cravings? Drink water.
Mine is like, they say dress for the job you want. But I also use this for the body you want. I try to usually dress in workout clothes like my sweats or gym shirts or shorts. It usually puts me in the frame of mind to workout or wanna workout. Reminds me to actually get my workout in when I don’t want too.
Couch to 5K program. Lifelong couch potato, but got to start working from home during the pandemic, started running with my dad. Now I can run a 5K during my lunch breaks. I sleep better, my digestion improves (I believe I had GERD, because I was always waking up in the middle of the night wanting to throw up), and I had a general improvement in my mental and physical health.
For me it’s frozen mango. Used to routinely fail my calorie goals because of my guilty pleasure for ice cream and chocolate. Now I prefer a bowl of frozen mango left to defrost for 10 mins to either of my old favorites, and it’s but a fraction of the calories and lower in price.
Treat your fitness regimen as the motivator for making other complementary lifestyle choices, rather than treating it as something done to pay off the debt of other choices.
For example, “I’m going to eat reasonably tonight so that I’m in my best form for tomorrow morning’s workout”.
Eat because you exercise, rather than exercise because you eat.
Having a piece of equipment in my home. I know it’s not possible for everyone, but I got a Peloton last year and it’s been the first time I’ve stayed consistent with a workout routine. I’m on a 32 week streak and still going strong.
This is more of a diet hack, but unfollow all of the restaurants/food related stuff on social media. I find the more I see the more it triggers me to eat (not necessarily out to these places, just down to my kitchen)! Be mindful of the scent of candles or wall plug ins you use…no joke, like clockwork when I burn my maple syrup candle all I want is sweets! Any sweet food related candle or plug in does this to me. These two things have really helped me stay on track.
Meal prep.
Planning out the week’s meals, cooking everything on Sunday, then stocking the fridge for the week really helps me stick to a meal plan.
After I had kids I paid for stupid expensive gym classes like BFT, F25, Orange Theory so if I missed classes I had to pay and then I’d get myself back in the habit and quit. It was the only way I could get back into going to the gym consistently. Also, rest – it’s good for you. Choose exercise you enjoy. Walking is exercise.
EDIT: I wasn’t super clear, I quit the workout classes but didn’t stop working out.
0 Comments