Exercise 101 - How To Get Fit & Actually Enjoy It

There are so many ways to get active these days. Some time ago, people would do basic things to get fit: go for a run, swim or ride their bike etc. While these are still very common activities and all beneficial to a persons wellbeing, in addition we now have endless classes on offer such as Soul Cycle / spin, Cross Fit, “power” yoga, barre, boot camp, Pilates and Zumba – just to name a few. When it comes to health and fitness, it doesn’t matter what you do, as long as it is something you love and that works well for your unique body type. 

Photo by Lauren Edith Andersen - Clothes by Stella Carakasi - Styling by Lauren Andersen and Samantha Nobles-Block @radishandfig 

While it is extremely important to move your body on a daily basis, this doesn’t always need to be in the form of a “workout”. Simple tasks such as walking the dog, playing with your kids, gardening and cleaning the house are great ways to stay in shape physically. It’s important to listen to your body when it comes to exercise… too little and too much can have big health consequences. It’s all about finding the right balance. For me, that’s going for a trail run with my dog in the morning, following it up with a restorative yoga class in the evening, and then going for a relaxing hike the next day to balance it all out. 

I suggest making nature your gym. It’s free and is an environment that boosts your life force, rather than depleting it like many commercial gyms can. Invite friends along to join you for a swim in the beach or a walk in the park. That way, you are multi-tasking – getting zen time in nature, getting physically active and being social! WIN WIN WIN! Can’t find anyone to join you? Join a group in your community that likes to do similar activities you are interested in. Meetup.com is a great resource for this. Alternatively, you can play your favorite music while working out in the great outdoors, or simply notice the natural sounds around you. 

When you do things you truly love to stay fit, it is more sustainable in the sense that you are more likely to stick with it and do it regularly. Starting your fitness regime is the hardest part, but once you get into the flow, it gets easier as your body adapts to the new movement, so don’t be discouraged at your first or second attempt. Ensure you get some cardio, stretching for flexibility and some strength training in your weekly routine. By strength training, I don’t mean lifting a ton of weights, for me, holding my own body weight in yoga is enough. I hope this helps you to consider what truly is the best form of physical activity for your body and personal needs. If you are someone who “hates exercise” – then maybe you just haven’t found the right fit yet. Keep trying something new until you do! After all, variety is the spice of life.