Bring Some Fun to Your Workouts
By Donna Stark
One of the key benefits of wearing a fitness tracker is that it helps to keep you aware and accountable when it comes to staying physically active. I suppose that’s a good thing to have at a moment’s notice, especially if you are trying to lose weight or are under a doctor’s order to improve your health. Information and knowledge are always good, right? But do you ever find yourself becoming so focused with what’s on your wrist that you overlook what’s around you? Has the “number” (whatever that number may be) taken priority over the actual experience?
Stop Being so Businesslike
Keeping track of your calories, steps, or miles is important, but so is adding a little bit of fun into your workouts. Not every hike or bike ride has to be conducted like a business meeting. So grab some friends or family, ignore that number every now and then, and take the time to turn some of your workouts into adventures. Here are some great suggestions on how to add some smiles to your fitness routine.
- Rock climbing - Rock climbing is a great workout for your back and arms and so much fun to do with a group of friends. Plus, everyone likes a good competition, so start making the bets on who can get to the top first!
- Dancing - Elevate your heart rate and work up a major sweat by pulling out your old dance skills. And don’t worry. Everyone is out there embarrassing themselves.
- Exploring - When was the last time you explored the woods? And I don’t mean the patch of trees in your backyard. I’m talking about the woods where you can climb rocks and stumps, balance on fallen trees, and jump over streams. That kind of exploring.
- Play a childhood game - Why is it that our kids get to have all of the fun? When you look back on your childhood, what is your most happy memory? Probably all of the games you played, right? Remember stickball? Kickball? Capture the flag? Kick the can? Grab a few of your adult friends together and teach your children the joys of being a child. Guaranteed, it will be the most fun you’ve had in a while!
- Join a league - Get out there and be social! Join a trampoline dodgeball league or your neighborhood volleyball team. It’s a great way to meet new people and still get your workout in!
Count Smiles, Not Miles
Stop turning all of your adventures into serious workouts and instead, turn a workout or two into an adventure! Who knows? You may actually like being physically active without feeling like you have your trainer breathing down your neck. So take your fitness tracker off every now and then. It doesn’t even need to happen all of the time, but when it does, it sure is a lot of fun!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Cumming, Ga.