How To Make your Workouts a Little Easier to Complete

As a running coach and Exec. Director of a kids running club on Long Island, I run all the time.

But when people tell me they hate running, I always say “Me too!” They
usually laugh and make a comment that I don’t understand. They also
mention that I run a lot (True). They tell me that you can’t run
marathons and say you hate running (Not true).

They are wrong of course. I hate running. I usually hate every minute of it. Getting
out the door is hard. Running 13.1 miles often seems impossible. On
days I run 3 miles, it can feel as difficult as running a marathon. And
I always want to just skip it!

But I have discovered some tips that help me get out to do my runs or help get me to the dreaded gym. Here are a few I use that may help you if you are feeling the same way.

1. FINDING one exercise that you love to do.
This will be an exercise program that you look forward to. If you
explore different classes, you might find one that you truly enjoy doing
from beginning to end. This may be something that is traditional, like
running or it may be trending like surfboard class. Explore different
programs and see what brings you joy. Try to do that class 1 to 2 times
a week because it makes you happy.

2. Realize that the exercise you love right now (see #1 above) may change.
This is important to understand. You are allowed to get bored. You
should accept that you might not find one type of exercise that you
consistently love. You may stick with it or you may decide after 1
month or 1 year, it is no longer fun. Don’t get confused that everyone
must find ONE EXERCISE that they love for their entire lives. Don’t
look at people who have been doing yoga for 14 years or running
marathons 5 times a year and believe that you should be like them and
“find your thing.” We are all different. The most important part of
exercise is to keep moving. Explore and try different programs and
accept that you may always be changing your “favorite” exercise program.

3. Accept that you will also have to do exercise programs you hate too-
Besides your workouts that you are exploring or loving, you must also
have 1 or 2 exercise programs that you do each week that you do not
enjoy. Maybe it is weight lifting or running. Maybe it is a one-hour
treadmill walk you do three times a week at the gym. Adding different
exercise programs help work different muscles and also helps with
creating the habit of working out regardless of how you feel about the
program.

4. Schedule the exercises in-
Make a plan to schedule in 1 to 2 days of the exercise you will love to
do and also schedule 1 to 2 days of the exercise programs you don’t
like. Look at your calendar each week and do a little homework to
figure out what will work based on your work schedule, your family life
and even the weather.

5. Remember the feeling AFTER THE WORKOUT (see the pictures of me running above? All at the FINISH LINE!-
Happy!!) This is something you can hold on to. You may hate the
beginning and you may hate the middle but you will love how you feel
after you are done. And you can be proud of yourself for getting it
done.

6. Find an accountability buddy.
This person has to be motivated to work out with you. They should have
a schedule like yours on certain days so you can figure out when you
will work out together. If it is too challenging to get to a workout
together, this buddy won’t work. Convenience of scheduling workouts
together with your workout buddy is essential. And speaking of
convenience……

7. Convenience of location-
Sometimes we shop around for the best prices for our workouts. Let me
tell you why this may not work out. If you are paying $10 dollars less
to go 3 towns over, it may not get you there. Driving to a gym or
workout class should be convenient and close by. If it is too far or it
takes too much time to get there, it may affect your motivation to
complete the workout. Think about the following before deciding on a
membership or group package: parking, location, ease of getting into a
class, waiting lists, comfort. Consider making the process of getting
to the workout as stress-free as possible.

8. Be kind to yourself-
When you don’t get to the gym because you had a tough day, be gentle
and forgiving. We will have bad days and bad weeks. The beautiful part
of working out is you can ALWAYS start again. Our bodies adapt. They
come back from sickness, and injuries, and busy days. If you skip a
day, just start again and schedule the workout in. Get used to starting
over. Be forgiving and kind to yourself and accept you can get that
workout completed on another day.

Working out is not easy. But with a few of the tips above, hopefully we can all get it done and be happy when it is OVER!

Kiersten
Bartolotta, Esq. is the exec. director of Kids Run Long Island/The
Mindful Difference- A non-profit offering programs for kids ages 3 and
up in physical and mental fitness through running, walking, yoga and
mindfulness. More information about the Kids Run Series of Long Island & other programs at www.kidsrunlongisland.org