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For exercise, find something you truly enjoy

Celebrity trainer Kathy Kaehler has shaped diet and fitness regimens for such celebrities as Julia Roberts. She says another key to success is changing your routine and creating a balance between diet and exercise. (PRN / The Spokesman-Review)
Andrea Renee Wyatt, M.S.S., C.S.C.S. King Features Syndicate
Celebrity trainer Kathy Kaehler has shaped diet and fitness regimens for such celebrities as Julia Roberts. She says another key to success is changing your routine and creating a balance between diet and exercise. (PRN / The Spokesman-Review)

Q: I know it’s important to exercise and get healthier, but whenever I try a new fitness program I end up quitting due to boredom or frustration. If I don’t like an exercise program but it will help me get fit, should I just grin and bear it and try to stick with it, or is there another solution?

A: You’re not alone. There are lots of people who don’t enjoy many types of exercise. There are even people who admit they don’t like ANY type of exercise. The need to keep our bodies healthy and strong requires us to live active lives. Fortunately, the word “active” does not restrict us to just a few exercises or activities.

The key to living an active lifestyle is finding activities that you enjoy and that fit your personality, interests and daily agenda. We are more likely to continue an activity or exercise program if we’re having fun, if it does not add stress or frustration to our daily lives, and if it produces positive results. Most importantly, we need to like what we are doing.

Making a list of environments, activities and other interests you enjoy can help you to figure out what type of exercise might catch and hold your attention. For example, identifying outdoors/nature, warm weather, socializing and endurance training could help you narrow your search by finding activities that incorporate some or all of these interests.

Once you have identified what interests you have, it’s time to find out what type of activity or form of exercise could incorporate them. Your interests in the outdoors/nature, warm weather, socializing and endurance exercises could lead to involvement in a group running or cycling club, which would keep you fit while incorporating the things you enjoy.

In addition to noting your interests, it is also important to consider other factors: Are you are a morning, afternoon or evening person? What type of work, school and home schedule must you maintain? And what type of resources are available to you? If you do not enjoy getting up early, planning to attend an exercise class at 6 a.m. might not be a good choice. Answering these questions will help you find an activity you can enjoy and stick with.