Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Are You Having Fun Yet?



I was chatting with a fellow instructor and we were trying to figure out why some students come week after week to classes and some come sporadically. Some students come seldom that when they do show I reintroduce myself to them each time only to be told “we’ve met”...(that happened tonight...oops). Why do some show up again and again while others don't?  Is it discipline and dedication to fitness? Yes that has something to do with it but it’s more than that. My regulars are having fun while exercising. They are enjoying themselves so they come back for more every week. There are things you can do too that make exercise full of joy.
Here are a few sure fire ways to make your work out a more pleasant and maybe even a fun experience.  
1. Music
The music you choose can enhance or destroy your workout so make sure you use variety to spice things up and make sure your favorite type of music is on your playlist. Invest some time into the music you workout to. I promise it will make the time fly by.
When I teach I use playlists that offer music from different time periods and are always upbeat. I know for me music is the most important feature of my fitness class. I always find music that has great beats and recognizable vocals so if students want to belt out the tune they can. I like the music to be loud enough to motivate but not so loud that you have to wear earplugs to be comfortable.

2. Your form of exercise should be fun!
If you aren’t having fun why are you doing it? Most people won’t stick to a program if they don’t enjoy engaging in the activity. Are you pushing and challenging yourself each time? If the answer is “no” then find something that you do like. For example is you hate taking a group fitness class that is crowded don’t do it. If you aren’t having fun you won’t stick with it. Or if you like competitive sports like tennis, basketball, squash, or any other sport do that. Maybe roller skating, walking, biking, swimming is your thing but you don’t like to be alone you can find all of those forms of exercise in your area that are geared towards groups getting together. Try meetup.com to find a group near you to connect with.

Be truthful....are you having fun while you exercise? If the answer is no that could very well be the reason why are aren’t much. Make a change and start burning those calories sassy girl!