As many of you know I was away for nearly a week on a business trip and then a little family vacation. Between these two trips I did a couple of things and never gave a second thought to them until last night as I lie in bed tossing and turning for some odd reason. This article is all about You finding some enjoyment in your exercise plan.

I was in Orlando for two days speaking at an event and then learning from some of my fellow fitness business owners and while I was there I was able to find a couple of hours for a run. I didn’t really have the proper gear and really hadn’t planned on running until I noticed a park near my hotel. To make a long story short I went out and had one of the best runs of the year circling this lake filled with wild animals, other runners, restaurants and just a ton of awesome scenery.

Then I flew home and Brandy and I loaded up the kids for a trip to a lake house in Tennessee. This house was so far in the mountains everyone in the car was getting pretty sick by the time we got there. Inside the resort I kept thinking how fun it would be to run on the steep hills. So one morning I did so, only ran about 45 minutes but it was probably the most exhilarating run I’ve ever had because of the nearly impossible hills to not only climb, but then run down.

At this same lake house we had a private two-story dock with a huge upper level. Of course I had my two favorite kettlebells with me (44lbs each) and so I thought to myself how cool it would be to do a workout on that dock overlooking the lake. Getting the kettlebell’s down there, from the house, and up on the top level was probably more of a workout than the actual routine. I can tell you, however, it was so awesome to do something in the fresh mountain air, overlooking a beautiful lake and fighting every second of the 30 minute routine to keep my balance. This little cove was getting rocked by other boats, which made the workout even more challenging to balance and stabilize. I swear my abs hurt for three days.

Here is a picture my sister took of me doing front squats (be sure to notice the sign in front of me and what I’m doing in the second picture): It’s not a very flattering picture, but I love how the sign is in it.

Check out that sign...

Of course, the best part of a workout on the top level of a dock is the proximity to the water. I have always been a rule breaker, why change now?

Remember that sign?

It was a little higher than I realized, so I won’t show you the next picture with panic on my face :)

The reason I am sharing all this with you is because I found myself realizing that I had unconsciously found ways to make exercise fun and different. Between the lake run in Orlando, the Mountain Run and the Kettlebell Dock Workout I was able to find joy in a change of scenery, a new challenging workout and I still think about how awesome they were.

Do you get joy from exercise? Are you able to improvise when you are traveling and find ways to get in some beneficial workout? How about when you come to the gym, are you doing the same thing every time? Do you dread the actual act of the workout?

I want to tell you that the key to long term, consistent commitment to exercise is to find something you can enjoy. If you hate running on the treadmill, then don’t run on the treadmill… if you hate a workout with machines, then don’t. Hate boot camp,kettlebell, fit camp… Urgh…too bad then :) Just kidding of course. Seriously if you can not find some reasonable amount of joy or fun in your workout then you need to find something else! Stop wasting your time on something that you know won’t last, find a workout or exercise that you begin to look forward to and that is where the magic can happen and you can find a lifestyle of exercise that will last a lifetime.

This thing is a journey, not a destination and you should always be enjoying the scenery as you go. Take a look at your surroundings (your workout routine) perhaps it is time to try something different. Mix up your cardio workouts this summer by getting outside and walk, run, ride a bike swim or just possibly even a morning workout outside before the heat sets in. There is something powerful about being outside and doing exercise, it just seems to put you in a good mood no matter what it is you do. (unless you go out at noon and our 95 degree temperatures that is)

If you are stuck in a rut or if you have hit a plateau maybe its time for a change, whatever it is keep an open mind because you just never know. The first time I was exposed to Kettlebell’s I thought the guy looked like an idiot and now I can’t get enough of it.

Find joy in your fitness and I guarantee you will find joy in other areas of you life. Its amazing to me how much better I feel when I am in good shape and exercising/eating the way I should be. Heck, when I am in a bad mood Brandy will often times tell me to go workout because she knows it will make me such much more pleasant to be around.

If you have a favorite routine, post it on the blog:

For Example: One of my favorite cardio workouts is 1/2 mile repeats on a track or treadmill. Warm-up 5-10 minutes and then run all out for 1/2 mile recover 1/2 mile and repeat as many times as you can before you start cooling down.

If you have a favorite routine, workout or specific exercise be sure to post it on the blog so everyone can try it out.

Your Coach

Jeremy

 

P.S.

For anyone wanting to have group and personal accountability for nutrition as that change of pace, make sure you visit the body balance website, there you can watch the video and read about our newest program where someone will win $700. If you don’t believe me, try it out for two weeks for only $5.00.

Body Balance Nutrition Program

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