My Personal Journey with Exercise

During my high school years, I excelled as a gymnast, participating in the Junior Olympics with 20 hours of training each week. While I understood the need for discipline, much of my training wasn't enjoyable; it involved repetitive practice until perfection was achieved.

After I transitioned away from gymnastics, I struggled to maintain a fitness routine for years due to burnout. When I attempted to get back into exercising, I found the conventional advice ineffective. I spent nearly a decade searching for enjoyable activities, labeling myself a runner and entering half-marathons as motivation. However, once those events concluded, I often returned to inactivity for months. I also explored yoga and weight training, yet none ignited the enthusiasm I sought.

In recent years, I've successfully established a satisfying exercise routine by abandoning traditional wisdom.

Chapter 2: Harnessing Fresh Energy

If you're reading this, you likely recognize the fleeting nature of new enthusiasm for exercise. Perhaps you joined a gym as part of a New Year’s resolution, committing to it for a month before losing motivation.

A longitudinal study by Norcross and Vangarelli found that 46% of individuals abandon their resolutions by January's end. This decline in motivation is common.

You might have started a Couch-to-5K program, experiencing excitement as you progressed in the early weeks, only to find the motivation waned as the challenge became more arduous. A 2017 study revealed that even financial incentives for gym attendance provided minimal motivation, lasting only about six weeks.

If monetary rewards can't sustain motivation, relying solely on willpower becomes problematic. This is why I don't advocate for willpower as a primary source of excitement for exercise. While it may work for some, the majority need an alternative approach.

Regardless of how much you enjoy your current routine, boredom will eventually set in, leading you back to a search for motivation. The crucial insight here is to stop hunting for that one perfect activity you love; instead, embrace the new energy that comes from exploring a variety of options.

I might train for a race for a few weeks, then shift to gym workouts until they become monotonous. When spring arrives, I might explore hiking, and when summer heat makes that uncomfortable, I'll switch to yoga. In the fall, I enjoy cycling through the countryside.

Chapter 3: Exploring New Activities

Consider enrolling in a 12-week dance class at a local studio (yes, I did this and learned to differentiate between Rumba, Meringue, and Samba).

Did you enjoy jump-roping as a child? Give it a try! Just a heads up: my experience was less than enjoyable, but the beauty of this approach is that I don't have to do it again if I don't want to.

Participating in a community volleyball league can also be fun; when boredom strikes, simply move on to something else. The worst feeling is adhering to a mandatory schedule only to realize you dislike it right from the start, leading to a quick abandonment regardless of your discipline.

Chapter 4: Addressing Expert Opinions

I can anticipate experts in the fitness field expressing their concerns. I follow many fitness professionals to stay informed. They argue that the best way to build muscle is through consistent repetition with progressively increasing weights. This approach is essential for cardiovascular health as well. Additionally, sticking to a few exercises can help you master movements and reduce injury risk.

While these experts make valid points, I believe it’s more beneficial to simply get out and exercise, rather than focusing on perfection. I never find an excuse to skip my workouts; if boredom creeps in, I explore new activities online.

Ever wondered about rock climbing? Join that friend who can't stop talking about it. You might discover a newfound fear of heights—great! You can cross that off your list.

Experts may argue that this method will prevent you from excelling in any one area. You might never achieve a five-minute mile, scale El Capitan with Alex Hannold, or perform a 600-pound Olympic lift.

To be honest, those goals don't appeal to me. At this stage in my life, I'm content with maintaining a relatively healthy body that allows me to exercise.

Final Thoughts

Stop searching for that one activity you love; very few will find it. Everything can become stale over time. Relying solely on willpower to push through a workout schedule is unwise. Jeff Hader’s book, Why Motivation is a Myth, offers a comprehensive critique of the very concept of motivation.

Instead, cultivate creativity in your exercise routine. Transition between activities, harnessing that new energy throughout the year, ensuring you never skip a workout again.

You might think this advice is obvious, but consider this: when you wake up and feel that reluctance to hit the gym, do you think, “But I have to,” or “What else can I do today?”

Learning to switch activities when boredom strikes might seem straightforward, but it’s a skill that requires development.