Five ways to Exercise more

The secret is...

Make it FUN! 

I know, too simple right? Nope. It really is that simple. Studies show that if you don't enjoy it then you will grow to despise it and quit. Plus the stress hormones released from the act of forcing yourself to go can lead to weight gain. Forcing yourself to go to the gym if you don't enjoy can literally have the opposite effect.

So what do we do to make it fun? After years of trying to figure it out I've come up with a few tips:

• Do it with a community! Now this one can be a little tricky because if you become dependent on a friend for it and they don't want to workout one day, you can lose your momentum. That's why it's important to create a community around exercise.
• Make it a large community and make it part of your hangouts! Have multiple groups of friends that you do different activities with, go to group exercise classes and make friends with people there, or make big events out of being active like a game of ultimate frisbee on a sunny afternoon!
• Practice a skill. I like dance classes, tai chi, and trapeze, but you can really do anything that works your brain. This will keep you mentally engaged and help you forget that you are working out haha!
• Make yourself accountable. Whether it's on social media or to your friends, publicly commit to fitness goals and you are much more likely to make them.
• Don't overdo it. Working out can make a person feel great, from body image, to endorphins, to increased testosterone. Unfortunately if your body isn't used to working out you can end up overdoing it and injuring yourself. That stops you from working out regularly. Give yourself lots of self care and rest days when you start a new regiment. 

Stay healthy, friends!
​~The Red Raven