Five Ways to Make Exercise Fun

As we get older, it becomes more important to exercise regularly, but more challenging to find the joy or energy to get into the habit. To combat this problem and get you excited about starting your exercise journey for a healthy life, here are five tips to make the experience fun.

1. Keep It Simple and Don’t Overdo It

While you might think you need to work your body to the point of exhaustion, you really want to be gentle with yourself. Many of us assume exercising should be hard and take up so much of our time, making it seem like a daunting task that we often put off. Keep the following in mind when exercising or choosing your activities:

• Set realistic goals by breaking up your exercise time into manageable pieces
• If your body starts to hurt or feel uncomfortable at any point, stop and take a break until the pain goes away before continuing your activity
• Pushing too hard for too long is more likely to harm you than do any good
• Consider choosing activities that involve gentle movements and minimal impact on your joints

2. Find a Buddy

It’s comforting and motivational to exercise with someone you enjoy or in a judgment-free group setting. It’s a great way to meet new people and build supportive friendships with others who have a common interest. Here are some activities you can start with another person:

• Exercise classes like dance, swim, or cycling
• Sports teams for seniors
• Training for a race
• Get memberships together at the same gym
• Walking the neighborhood

3. Set the Mood With Music

Did you know listening to music during exercise can improve results? Music not only encourages people to keep moving, but also lifts their mood for greater endurance. And when the music and exercise match, you may surprise yourself with the results. Just remember that music should enhance, not detract, from what you’re doing. Play calm and relaxing music for activities like yoga and Tai Chi, and upbeat songs for activities like walking and running on the treadmill or elliptical machine.

4. Try Something New

As much as our routines are great for maintaining our memory, a touch of something new is a great way to stay on your toes, strengthen your body, and keep your mind active. If you’re not sure where to start, you could try:

• New Classes: Is there something you’ve always wanted to try but never had the time? Now’s the time to explore different activities and classes! There are peaceful and practical martial arts, dancing, strength training, swimming, cycling, and many others to test or fulfill your comfort zone.
• New Ways to Exercise: Your body tends to plateau once you’re accustomed to a certain workout, so adding a new exercise or variation to your workout can build strength and endurance.
• New Equipment: Whether you’re getting out of your comfort zone or upgrading to the next machine, a fitness specialist can recommend you new equipment to implement in your routine and how to use it.

5. Reward Yourself

Staying healthy is a great reward in itself, but don’t shy away from the idea of treating yourself every time you hit your goals! Set daily, weekly, and monthly meaningful goals to help you stay focused and have fun laying out rewards you earn along the way. Just remember that:

• You’re worth the time you spend exercising and the money you spend on rewards, such as a special dessert, fancy dinner, or new clothes.
• The reward for meeting your goals is what works for you, no matter how big, small, inexpensive, or extravagant.
• At the end of the day, you need to keep your mind, body, and heart happy all at once.

Looking for some helpful tips on your fitness journey? Check out our ebook, Improve Your Fitness Over 60!

At Life Enriching Communities (LEC), we’re committed to ensuring patrons feel well-equipped to plan their future and age how they wish. Explore more resources on senior living or contact us today to learn more about our legacy of services and programs that bring meaning and purpose to every stage of life.