Many people know that exercise is good for their health, but why is it that they try to avoid it or make every excuse to get out of it? Exercise reduces stress, helps people live longer, and reduces the chances of disease, but that still doesn’t get people off the couch.

What are people avoiding?

• Pain?
• Embarrassment?
• Time?
• Boredom?

People avoid exercise because they don’t find pleasure in it. Is it possible to find pleasure in something you have hated for so many years? Yes. However, this doesn’t happen overnight.

Here are five ways to help you learn to love exercise:

Make It Fun

Exercise doesn’t have to happen in a gym or have to involve anyone yelling instructions. You can dance, walk, swim, kayak, or golf. All these activities work various muscles in your body and burn calories.

Learn Something New

If you’ve always wanted to learn a new sport, take dance lessons, or learn to swim; then do it. Not only will you be exercising, but you’ll learn that exercise isn’t that painful.

Avoid Frustrations of Being the Newbie

Hire a personal trainer for one or two sessions to teach you how to do exercises correctly. Or, find a workout DVD that provides instruction. You will learn lifelong skills and increase your confidence.

Ask for Referrals

Ask friends or family if they can recommend a class, trainer or instructor. You’ll probably be surprised at how many people you know have done the research.

Measure Your Progress

Results don’t happen overnight. But, they do happen when you stick with a routine. Use one pair of pants and one shirt that you try on every two weeks. Notice how the pants and shirt fit on you and use that as motivation to keep working out.

Remember, you see yourself every day, so accept other’s compliments, even if you don’t see it.

Use these tips to find enjoyment in exercise and keep at it.

www.active.com