7 Obvious Ways to Make Working Out Fun

When most people think of working out, FUN is definitely not a word that describes it.  It is also because of this reason that many people don't exercise to begin with.   If working out feels too much like a chore, we don't like to do it.  We all have enough chores in our lives to deal with and exercise should NEVER be one of them.  I have found ways to make exercise enjoyable, and once it becomes enjoyable, it is something you want to do everyday and even look forward too. 

So, I have put together a few ways that I think makes exercise more fun and that could help you jump start exercise.  Some of them may even make you forget you are exercising.

1. Music/Dance:  This one probably already has you saying "duh," but it is the truth.  When we just shake it out and let all the stress go, a great workout really happens.  Dancing can burn so many calories and it doesn't have to be some perfectly choreographed masterpiece.  Just put on a few good songs (see my playlist blog) and she let go.  If you are the type of person that likes things a little more in order, there are programs available that teach you certain dance steps, such as Cize, Country Heat and Turbo Jam. 
   
2. Change it up:  Keeping a workout program fresh and never doing the same thing will keep you from getting bored and also keep you from hitting a plateau or building up muscle resistance.  Not knowing what to expect is exciting. 
   
   I have seen people use popsicle sticks with a workout on it.  They have 20-30 different sticks and just randomly pull out 5 stick each workout.  There is also the FitDeck that you can buy on Amazon.com, which is similar to the popsicle sticks but is like a deck of cards.  They are available in several platforms, such as stretching, weights, core, cardio,  and even yoga poses.  You can try something like this every day or just one day a week to break up a routine you are already in. 
3. Grab a friend:  This will not only give you someone to keep pace with but they can also be your coach, critic and insult partner.  Push each other, criticize (nicely) each other and tell them they will continue to be a fatass if they don't get up and get a workout done.  Ok you don't really have to say that but I think you get the point.  Being held accountable for your commitment to fitness will make you more likely to follow through.  No accountability is one of the main reasons why people quit a workout.  Even if you cant find a partner, at least find a coach.
4. Find a group activity: 
   
   This can be a class or even a team sport.  There are teams for volleyball and softball all over the place to join in the summer months.  There are even some indoor venues that will do things all year round.  Or find a gym and join a class.  Get several friends together and do it together.  When you commit to a class and a group, especially if you are paying for it, you will be more likely to follow through.  Back to that accountability things.  For anyone that has ever done Zumba knows it is SO much fun, but really, who wants to do that alone?!?!
5. Change your 'tude:  Having the right attitude can make or break a workout.  Having a bad attitude about fitness will make you hate every workout, no matter what it is.  If you tell yourself that it will be fun and you will do your best, that will happen.  You have to believe that fitness can be fun.
6. Make it non-traditional:  We, as parents, tend to do a lot of running around, chasing and playing with kids.  Believe it or not, that is exercise. 
   
   Taking the kids to the playground and being a kid yourself is a great way to get some exercise in and I bet you never thought about it being good for you.  So not only are you spending time with kids, creating memories, and sealing unbreakable bonds, you are also burning some calories.  So get out there and play tag, or baseball or run through the sprinklers.  Being a kid can be good for you in so many ways. 
7. Reward yourself:   Who says that you cant get a reward for being good just like you did when you were a kid.  Set small goals for yourself on your fitness journey and reward yourself when you hit small goals.  You don't have to focus on the big picture.  Focusing on the smaller accomplishments will keep you wanting more and working toward the next reward.  As long as you avoid rewards being related to food, you can make it just about anything you want.  Get a mani/ped, take yourself to a movie, buy a new book, or new shoes.  Whatever suits you that will actually feel like a reward. 
   

Fixate Cookbook GIVEAWAY!!!

I have become a little obsessed with Autumn Calabrese lately and I was so excited to try her new cookbook that compliments the Portion Control Containers that come with many workouts now. 

 There are so many delicious recipes in it.  It definitely goes hand in hand with her new cooking show too on Beachbody On Demand.  Her brother is a personal chef and they teamed up to do this cooking show.

Well, I have an extra copy of the cookbook to giveaway to one lucky health nut.  Anyone that purchases a challenge pack in the month of September will be entered into a drawing for this awesome cookbook.  There are so many fitness programs on sale this month too, including 21 Day Fix, Cize, Country Heat, 22 Minute Hard Corp and Piyo, not name a few. 

Contact me if you are interested in a program or simply click here to be taken directly to my website. 

*NEW* Country Heat Review

So this summer Beachbody trainer Autumn Calabrese is releasing her new workout program.  Most people know Autumn as the creator of 21 Day Fix.  Well her new program "Country Heat" comes out later this month.  As a Beachbody on Demand subscriber, I was allowed access for one day to one of her workouts from that new program.  The one available was Workout #3 "Down & Dirty."  I would like to give you my quick run down and opinion, from what little I saw and did, on Country Heat.

First let me say that the name is very misleading.  Yes, the dances are set to country music, which will put many people off.  But a lot of the steps are basic that can take on any vibe when given the right music.  It could just as easily have been hip-hop, but Shaun T already did that with his Cize program.  So kudos to Autumn stepping out of the box and really doing something bold. 

Second, this is no barn dance or two step. These are very well executed and choreographed steps that when put all together make for a really fun 30 minutes.  At the beginning of this particular video there was about a 15 minutes introduction of all the steps.  Autumn broke down each step for you in slow motion then practiced them a couple times.  This made it so much easier once I got to the actual workout.

I am going to be perfectly honest when I say that I did not WANT to like this workout.  I like dance programs but I could not imagine that this would be fun or difficult enough to make me want to buy it.  I have gone dancing many times, in a country bar, so I know it can be a good sweat but still!!!  I couldn't imagine what Autumn was thinking doing this program.  I am going to be the first to admit that she proved me wrong in every way.  Getting the steps down was a little difficult at first but that's just because I'm clumsy and uncoordinated.  I got very frustrated several times, not being able to do the moves and even stopped the video to go back and do it again.  Once I got the hang of it, I was really having a good time.  It did not seem like 30 minutes had gone by when I was done.

I also love the people she had in the video with her doing the workouts.  There were men and women of every shape, size, age and gender all doing these country dance moves with her, each adding their own little flair and just having FUN.  There is also a modifier in the video for low impact options.  The modifier is one of the most normal looking women I have ever seen in a workout video.  She isn't stick thin and ripped but you can tell she is having a great time and giving it her all.  Even though I didn't modify much,  I still looked to her a lot because I could relate more to her as a person.

The MUSIC!!  Great selections by Dierks Bentley, Brooks and Dunn, and more were consistently thumping throughout the video.  They were great upbeat songs and not what people cringe at when they hear "country music."  I personally like country music so it doesn't bother me but I honestly wasn't really paying much attention to the music.  I was very focused on the steps, the beat and watching Autumn.  Maybe if I got better at it, I would have more of an opinion on the music, but for now, it was just there, neither good or bad.  At one point Autumn was actually singing along, which was kind of funny since it was a song about tractors.  :)

 So, the big question is "Was it a good workout?".  The answer is definitely yes.  I was drenched in sweat by the time I was done (even though you can't see it in the picture) but I didn't feel like I had run a marathon or like I would pass out.  I felt energized and satisfied. In the 30 minutes it took to complete the workout my Fitbit says I burned about 200 calories.   I'm looking forward to what else there is with "Country Heat."  I only did one workout "Down & Dirty" and there are several in the set. 

I also love that when this is available to order on July 28th, you can also order it with the portion control containers.  Yes the same ones that come with the 21 Day Fix.  You can also get the containers with Tony Horton's 22 Minute Hard Corps but very few people know that. 

I hope you are willing to try this.  You will not regret it.  This is the workout for those that hate weights or cardio but still want to get a good workout in, while having fun.  If you want more details on the program or how to order it, email me or go to www.beachbodycoach.com/ljpintha.