Improve Your Workouts
Exercise, Healthy Living, Tips
Imagine yourself either on the treadmill, out for a jog, practicing Yoga, lifting weights or whatever you do to stay healthy. See the movements, notice your form and your breath; you’re probably envisioning the best possible scenario - a person enjoying the exercise.
What actually happens to you when you are exercising? Are you really maximizing your enjoyment or are you worrying about a boyfriend/girlfriend, spouse, work, how you look to other people or something else as you work out? If you are then you’re missing out on your ability to enjoy the whole situation. When you fail to notice your sensations you’re missing the chance to improve your workout.
By allowing your focus to trail away you ignore at least 50% of the experience. You are missing out on how your muscles are feeling, how you’re breathing and all the good work you’re doing. If you are anything like me you feel the muscle in the beginning of the workout, then your thoughts take your focus away from your muscles while you continue your routine. Lately, I’ve been keeping my focus on the workout. Yes, my thoughts still trail away, but I’m able to easily bring them back to the exercise by constantly reminding myself to notice all the little details of how I’m creating a healthier body. As a result, I’ve noticed that I’m improving faster and I understand my body better. If I’m tired I know which exercises fit with my mood. I don’t just do the same old thing because I have to. I engage my thoughts and emotions so I can maximize the workout. It also makes me feel like I have choices about my situation instead of being a slave to the routine.
Millions of people won’t exercise today because they forget the most important rule: Pay attention to the experience the exercise is creating. They make exercise a chore instead of creating a curious and playful experience. Maybe they don’t like working out because they’re afraid to fully engage their minds and bodies in the every moment. I think they need to think of their motivation as a child. If you force a child to go outside and play then s/he’s going to get bored quickly. If you give a child the choice to play on the playground, play in the park or play in a gym s/he probably be so excited that s/he won’t know which one to do first. S/he can create their fun. Give yourself three workout options and allow yourself to have control over how you work out. This will set your mind toward enjoying your choice instead of forcing yourself to do it, which can cause low motivation. When the workout becomes enjoyable, I guarantee you’ll keep your focus on your environment and your body instead of letting it trail off to some worry that doesn’t need your attention.
What are your emotions and thoughts focused on?
Next time you are exercising, notice how often your thoughts trail off to other problems or plans. Try to guess how much you are really focusing on the exercise – 20%, 40%, maybe 60%? I don’t think that I’ll ever reach 100% during an hour of workout, but my goal is to be 95% focused on my routine. If I can reach 95% then I’m probably enjoying the moment more than when I was worried about my website, my wife, or my job. When I exercise I should be focused on the pleasure of the workout. If whatever I’m worrying about is that important then I should stop exercising, take care of it then get back to my routine.
There is nothing wrong with occasionally letting your thoughts trail off to a task that you have to do later, but don’t make it a habit. Otherwise you will only be creating distance between you and your enjoyment.
Try these four tips if you want to improve your workout:
Give yourself the choice – Choose a workout that pleases your emotions. When I choose something I like, I usually don’t end up trying to avoid it by letting my thoughts run wild.
Practice a sport that forces your attention on your body – Long distance runners need their full attention, otherwise they’ll get hurt. I like to practice Yoga because its methodology is to enjoy the breath through each pose and into the next. It forces me to constantly stay aware of each movement and sensation.
Mix up your routine – When you vary your routine you won’t get bored by the same sensations that happened yesterday and last week.
Constantly remind yourself to bring your focus back to the workout – If you can get into the habit of feeling the movement and appreciating the atmosphere and what it’s doing to your body then you’ll enjoy yourself and want to exercise again and again.
Exercise should not be a chore. It should always be enjoyed. If it’s not enjoyable then find a better workout that fits your personality. When you are creative with your workout routine then you have a better chance at improving your body and as a bonus your mind too.
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Karl @ February 20, 2008