I know that for some, it can feel next to impossible to actually enjoy working out, but I promise that isn’t the case. This is exactly why I’m sharing my 5 steps to loving fitness with you today because life is too for anything but loving your workout!

When it comes to loving your fitness routine, it’s often about shifting your perspective of what it means to actually workout. Are you ready to change your beliefs around your workouts so that movement can simply become a part of your lifestyle? Let’s do it!

5 STEPS TO LOVING FITNESS:

1. Find the movement that makes you feel GOOD

I used to believe that in order to be healthy, I had to work out, and that meant 20 minutes on the elliptical or treadmill and then lifting weights.

Annnnnd I quickly became SO BORED with that routine. Plus I loathe most cardio unless it’s hiking outside with my dogs.

What I’ve learned is…

If I dread my workouts, I’ll never stick with it.

In order to actually love your fitness routine, it’s imperative that you find what makes you feel GOOD. This might mean trying a ton of different workouts until you find what lights you up, but it’s so worth the effort.

It took me a while to find the workouts that I truly look forward to. I’ve done everything from yoga, Pilates, TRX, body pump, ninja warrior training, parkour and more. Some I found that I really enjoyed, and some I didn’t, but I would have never known without trying.

Maybe you despise the elliptical, but you love hiking. Maybe the treadmill isn’t your thing, but running outside is your favorite. Maybe you hate lifting weights, but doing Zumba lights you up. Maybe yoga bores you, but lifting weights is where it’s at. Maybe calisthenics, HIIT training, kickboxing, tennis, jiu-jitsu, parkour, bike rides or spin classes are your thing…whatever it is, it’s so worth finding!

While I absolutely love how I feel after running, I really dislike the process…so wouldn’t ya know that I don’t run. I could say a million times that I’m going to start running, but I know myself well enough to know that the odds of me following through are slim. On the other hand, my friend, Teri from A Foodie Stays Fit, LOVES running and is so passionate about it. (If you’re at all interested in running, you must check out Teri’s blog where she writes all about her workouts – she’s a total badass).

I’ve found that functional movement, ninja warrior/obstacle course training, hikes, and single leg work are what really lights me up. Double leg work, such as squats and lunges are a snooze fest to me, so I simply don’t do them right now.

My point here is just because someone else loathes something doesn’t mean that it won’t be the thing that you love! You’ll never know until you try!

You owe it to yourself to find the movement that makes you feel GOOD.

2. Stop Staring at the Mirror

Recently I realized how my gym, Apex Movement Norcal, hardly has any mirrors. It’s kinda the best, as it keeps everyone focused on their own movement and cheering others on, not staring in a mirror and judging themselves.

Watching your form in the mirror is one thing, but judging your appearance is straight gonna ruin your workout. We’re hard enough on ourselves already, so wishing that you saw something different when you stare at the mirror is just straight torture. Looking at the person next to you and wishing that you could move/look like them is getting you nowhere.

Instead, put on some headphones, blast whatever music gets you pumped (like my Spotify Playlist) and focus on your body’s ability to MOVE. Recognize that while you may not be where you want to be right now, you’re putting in the effort to become the best version of yourself.

3. Find a Workout Partner

I talked about hiring a trainer in my post about how to start an exercise routine – but if hiring a trainer doesn’t seem like the right fit, then it’s time to find a friend to workout with! Having the extra accountability of having a friend/partner/anyone expecting you to show up to workout with them can make ALL the difference, plus it’ll make your fitness routine way more fun too!

4. Switch Up Your Beliefs

Many of us have the belief that if we miss a workout or a week of workouts, all of our progress goes down the drain. This is where so many just give up.

It’s time to release the belief that missing a workout, or 10, destroys all of the progress. Seriously, it’s BS. This belief is only giving you a disservice. I’ve taken days, weeks and months off from working out, and I’m just fine. You’ll be fine too, and that’s exactly why I wrote my other post on how to start an exercise routine!

5. Listen to Your Intuition

While this post is about how to love your workout, I’m a huge advocate for listening to your body, your inner voice, intuition…whatever it is that you want to call it.

Giving yourself an excuse not to go workout is one thing, but if you’re legit exhausted, please learn to rest.

Especially if you’re experiencing an illness, it’s extra important to listen to your body and what it needs. I’ve written about how I’ve incorporated exercise with illness, which is a great post to read if you’re currently experiencing something similar.

I hear from so many readers that say that they’d love to work out, but that they’re exhausted. I’ve been there myself, and I learned the hard way that working out when I was drained wasn’t helping me get anywhere.

Back when I had been diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency, and before I understood the importance of diet and lifestyle changes, I was constantly working out. I was also constantly EXHAUSTED, so I had to learn to find the fitness routine that felt good to me during that season of life. I also found that when I’m over-trained and tired, I gain weight and my hormones go out of whack, so it isn’t worth it to me.

If you’re exhausted after your workouts, it might be time to reevaluate things.

If you’re injured, take it as a sign that you’re meant to rest.

If something doesn’t feel good, you don’t have to do it.

If you’re pushing yourself way too hard, you’re probably not going to be able to sustain your workouts.

It’s worth taking a step back when your body is telling you that it needs rest.

Following a serious knee injury, which required 3 surgeries, my husband was unable to train for 10 months, and he’s someone who LOVES working out. Although it was hard for him, he still showed up at the gym. He would sit on the sidelines while watching others train or he’d do some simple upper body moves that didn’t risk injury.

Now looking back, he realized how much he gained from that experience, and how much he learned from seeing how others move. I know that it isn’t always easy, but when something isn’t in your control, it’s usually a sign to change your perspective around it.

Your workouts and everything else will flow so much easier when you’re rested.

Don’t forget to take rest days, as they’re when you’ll make the biggest gains. Do what feels good. Some days, that might just be some gentle stretching or a walk by yourself or with your dog/cat/partner/whatever. I’ve learned myself that rest pays off HUGE.

I really hope that you found this 5 Steps to Loving Fitness post helpful! Got a workout that you absolutely love? Share it in the comments below!

PIN IT FOR LATER: How to Start an Exercise Routine