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Guest Post by my awesome friend and Fitness Trainer
Michael Berezin from the Jerusalem Fitness Center

So say you hate exercising. I mean really hate it. To the point where the very idea of being active is at best a chore and at worst torture.  How are you going to lose weight and build muscle?  How can you improve endurance while at the same time work on your flexibility?

In order to get the results we want, we need to figure out  not just how to make it happen but how to keep it going as well. It’s not enough to go to the gym or register for classes if you know from experience that it won’t last.

The premise is that life is long and fitness is everyday. In order to achieve a lasting difference the key is consistency. So how do we create consistency if the whole process is a burden and we hate it?

Make it Yours

Not everybody likes to workout. For some people the gym is an uncomfortable place. If this is you then it might be a good idea to stop going. Why waste your time and money doing something you hate? You don’t need a gym to exercise. The fact is there are many things you can do, which will allow you to burn calories, build some muscle, and improve endurance.

For instance, one could participate in team sports. If you don’t know where to get the game of your choice going for your demographic, then post online in one of a hundred groups  and see if you can organize one. Or at the very least ask around, you might be surprised to find that other people just like you are looking for the same thing. If you are not the sporty type there are all kinds of dancing/body movement classes out there.

Maybe you are a rock climber being held prisoner in a computer programmers body? You can only find out by trying it at least once. By doing something you enjoy or find exciting you increase the chances of it becoming consistent. Without some consistency your fitness goals can not be achieved.

Make it Fun!

Now that you have found a way to make it yours how do you keep it going?
I have found that if you make it fun you will be more likely to prioritize it and ensure that it happens. By making it fun it will no longer be a chore. It will fall into the category of things you enjoy doing.

One way to do this is to get people you like involved. Who doesn’t like spending time with their family and friends? Or perhaps there are people out there you would like to get to know better but due to a hectic schedule there just isn’t enough time. By getting people you care about to become a part of it not only will you enjoy it more, there will also be other people taking initiative in organizing it. As a result the whole venture will have a much better chance in becoming a lasting thing.

By planning your social time around healthy physical activity you will ensure the consistency you need in order to make it happen again and again. This is all due to what I call “the fun effect”. If an activity is fun you will be more likely to prioritize it time and time again.

Make it happen

Inspiration can come at any time. Does this sound familiar? You are stuck in traffic on your way to work and your mind starts wandering about going for a jog as soon as you get home. Only thing is when that time rolls around you are either distracted or too tired to move.  That’s why I often tell people that the hardest part to any fitness plan or new activity is the start. I follow up by saying that in order to do something twice you need to do it once. The call to action is clear, strike while the iron is hot before you lose your resolve. Instead of just talking or thinking about what you want to do. Go out and “just do it”. Or in other words. Make it happen.

Question:
How do you Make it Yours, Make it Fun, and Make it Happen?