10 Habits of People Who Love to Work Out
What to remember to stay active.
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You know these people: they bound out of bed in the morning ready to tackle their sunrise bike rides. They leave the office during lunch to sneak in a quick run. Or they head out of work, gym bag in hand—and they're going to use it (not just bring it back home). They're the ones who look like they're actually enjoying themselves as they pedal furiously at Spin. Can you be more like these fitness fanatics? Experts say yes, you can teach yourself to love exercise. Get into the workout groove by mimicking their habits.
quicklist: 1category: 10 Habits of People Who Love to Work Outtitle: They only do workouts they enjoyurl:text:
People who love to exercise don't waste time with activities they despise. "Too often I see people who sign up to do something like running, even though they know they hate running," says Shavise Glascoe, exercise physiologist at the Johns Hopkins Weight Management Center. Start with an activity that you're interested in or already enjoy—it doesn't have to be what your neighbor said helped her lose weight or what the group-class trend of the moment is. What matters is that you like it. If you don't want to do it, you will make an excuse to skip it tonight (and tomorrow, and the next day).
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quicklist: 2category: 10 Habits of People Who Love to Work Outtitle: They look for feedbackurl:text:Fitness fanatics often thrive on instant feedback, says Jimmy Minardi, a former professional cyclist and personal trainer in New York City and Santa Barbara, Calif. He suggests trying out a fitness tracker that measures heart rate or calories burned. That real-time feedback will help you push yourself further—you'll always feel motivated to match or exceed your personal best—and take your workouts to the next level. Plus, Minardi says, you'll be more connected to your training.
quicklist: 3category: 10 Habits of People Who Love to Work Outtitle: They exercise with a friendurl:text:
Exercise addicts get by with a little help from their friends, says Glascoe. They're sure not to ditch their yoga buddy for an om-session even when they'd rather beeline straight home, and are excited to get out of bed for a morning run because they'll have the chance to chit-chat with their pals. Case in point: in a University of Southern California study, people said they had more fun and enjoyed working out more when they did it with a friend. Don't assume that none of your friends want to work out—you may find one who wants to get in shape alongside you. But you could also find a workout buddy by joining a local running or biking club, or signing up for a recreational sports league.
quicklist: 4category: 10 Habits of People Who Love to Work Outtitle: They get back to natureurl:text:When the weather outside is nasty, it's natural to want to take exercise inside. But if it's nice and bright out, bike along that lakefront path, run through your neighborhood early in the morning, or find an outdoor yoga class. "Nature makes you feel alive—and when you feel great, you are more likely to want to do the workout again," says Minardi. Besides, in one 2011 study in Environmental Science & Technology, sweating outdoors was associated with a boost of energy, more engagement in the activity, and better mental wellbeing. Go ahead—sweat, and say ahhh.
