Today and every day, I don’t HAVE to work out, I GET to work out! That is the mindset that I have when I exercise. I am so thankful at 41 to be able to move my body and push myself harder than I ever have…and I love doing it all….running, walking, lifting weights, strength training, barre, Pilates, yoga, etc. I just love to throw on some music and do my thing! Mixing it up every day also keeps it fresh, fun, and I find that really works for me. However, so many people don’t find the exercise(s) that work for them! They hate working out because they think of it as a chore or something that they HAVE to get through, because going to the gym or running isn’t enjoyable. Therefore, they may be motivated to start a workout routine, but if a person doesn’t enjoy what they are doing, they aren’t going to continue doing it, and the point is to do something that is sustainable, long term, and fun. Health and fitness is a journey, not a destination, so why torture yourself doing something you hate?! Especially when there are so many activities and exercises to choose from that will allow you to move your body and live an active and healthy lifestyle.

Most importantly, if you hate to run, don’t run! If you don’t like burpees, don’t make yourself do burpees. If you find that working out in a group setting suits you, find a class to join. If you need one-on-one assistance because you need someone to help you navigate yourself around weights and machines, or perhaps you just need to be challenged; find a certified personal trainer that will teach you and push you.

It is crucial to keep in mind that every activity will yield a different result. So depending on what goal you have or what you want to accomplish, you may need to change the exercise(s) in order to achieve that specific result. If you are just looking to move your body and live an active lifestyle, go out and do whatever workout or activity that your heart desires! However, if you are looking to lose weight or fat; increase strength, agility, flexibility; or if you are looking to build endurance or muscle, you will want to look at specific workouts that will help you attain those goals. Everybody has different needs and goals, if you need help identifying how to reach those goals, you may want to find a coach that can provide you with the tools necessary to achieve them.

Need ideas of exercises to try? Here are a few suggestions of workouts that will get you up and moving your body while also having fun!

• Walking- probably the most underrated exercises! Just 30 minutes every day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance. It can also reduce your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis. Just throw on a pair of headphones and listen to some music, or grab a friend and enjoy some great conversation and laughs!

• Pilates- a low impact workout that helps improve flexibility, increase muscle strength and tone (particularly of your abdominal muscles, lower back, hips and glutes), enhance muscular control of your back and limbs, improve stabilization of your spine, and improve posture. This is a great option for those who cannot or do not want to do high impact movements (i.e. jumping, running).

• Yoga- a great workout to build strength, awareness and harmony in both the mind and body. A low impact workout that improves flexibility and balance, builds muscle strength, improves posture, protects your spine, increases your blood flow, helps you focus, and relaxes your system. Those who like calming workouts that incorporation stretching and meditation will enjoy yoga.

• Barre- essentially a mixture of ballet-inspired exercises, yoga and Pilates. It incorporates the use of fun music and choreography. Barre uses small isometric muscle movements that help strengthen and tone your muscles, improves posture, increase bone density, and also increases cardiovascular endurance and metabolism, which helps to quickly burn calories. If you ever were a ballet dancer, this workout will put you right back at the barre, and you will quickly feel the burn!

• Swimming- Whether you’re treading water doing freestyle laps, swimming is an awesome full-body workout that’s easy on your joints. This is a great option for those summer months when you want to do something fun and refreshing!

• Jumping rope- jumping rope allows you get in a good cardio workout while also working on lower-body strength training. You can make your legs burn and torch calories by using a very inexpensive piece of equipment that you can do from the comfort of your own home. It is surprisingly versatile, allowing you do to a range of exercises from running jumps to HIIT workouts. This will remind you of your childhood days on the playground or at recess!

• Lifting weights- Weight lifting brings more benefits than just stronger muscles and a toned body. Adding strength training to your workouts is a great way to improve your overall fitness, from effectively and efficiently burning body fat and strengthening your bones to preventing injury and making your heart healthier. When you increase your muscle mass, you boost your resting metabolism — and that makes your body burn more calories!

Don’t forget about recreational and unconventional workouts! Hiking, kayaking, rollerblading/rollerskating, bike riding, skiing, rock climbing, jumping on a trampoline, team sports, and dancing are all great activities that will also get your body moving, your heart rate up, burning calories, and working your muscles!

The point is, find something that you enjoy and it won’t feel like agony or a chore, but instead you will want to do it and chances are you will probably even look forward to it…and whatever you find that you love to do, throw on your favorite jams and have some fun!

Tell me, what is your favorite exercise or activity?!