5 Ways to Have Fun while Being Active
5 Ways to Have Fun while Being Active
One of the key steps to setting and achieving a health goal around physical activity is to make some aspect of it enjoyable. While the idea of “exercise” might not sound fun, physical activity can mean a lot of different things. Playing soccer with your kids or nieces and nephews, riding bikes with a friend or walking with your partner are all ways of being physically active. In addition to redefining what exercise can look like, here are ways to have fun while being physically active.
Set the tone. It’s almost impossible not to have fun if you tune into a great playlist. Turn on music that gets your body ready to move. You can also set the tone by wearing workout clothes that make you happy. Whatever you wear should breathe well and fit comfortably. Make sure you are prepared with anything else you need like water and a towel.
Grab a buddy. If possible, have someone join in on the physical activity, whether it’s a partner, kid, friend or colleague. Doing an activity with someone will make it much more enjoyable. You can even partner up with a virtual buddy for an online group fitness class.
Set a goal. Accomplishing a goal that you didn’t think was possible to achieve is invigorating. Challenge yourself to make progress in your fitness and health journey in some way. It doesn’t need to be a goal focused on upping weight or intensity, if that’s not a good fit for you. Example goals are, “I will kick a soccer ball with my daughter 3 times a week for 20 minutes each time” or “I will incorporate 10 minutes of cool-down stretching after being active” or “At least 4 hours before I exercise I will drink 2-3 mL of water per pound of body weight.”
Get outside. Breathing in fresh air and appreciating the sights and sounds of nature is energizing. Whether you are running, walking, biking or doing bodyweight exercises in a park, getting outside is a sure bet to have fun while being active.
Play to your strengths. One of the keys to having fun while being active is feeling like you are moving forward in your fitness journey. Build your confidence by doing exercises that make you feel good physically and mentally. Try new exercises, disciplines or sports over time.
