How do you make fitness a lifestyle and not a chore?

Someone once told me that if you try to get fit, you'll never be it becuase you view it as a chore.



And I think that person was right in my case because i say i will but never do or if i do i give up after 3 days of working out and continue the same process over the next week.



So how do i make it a lifestyle (something i just do and don't think about) ? Real silly but i need help... thanks!How do you make fitness a lifestyle and not a chore?First thing to remember in a lifestyle change is that you are doing things for the long term and not simply for a set period, such as a diet or undefined fitness regime. As such, it is important to keep perspective and to engage in activities you like doing! Otherwise, you will have no hope of continuing in the long term if you hate doing an activity! So, remember, find an activity you like doing! Most people find they enjoy team games (or going with someone to the gym), as you can share goals + have socialise at the same time.



Secondly, set yourself a realistic goal - it will help you break the cycle of working out then stopping etc. When changing a lifestyle, you have to remember it takes 4-7 weeks for you to get into a new rhythm. After this point, you won't even think about your new regime as it is just what you do! To help in this first 4-7 weeks, challenge yourself to a goal - such as running 10km in 50 mins or lifting 30% more than when you started. It will motivate you to get through this period.



Thirdly, be aware of what happens to you in the first 4-7 weeks. It is important to note that if you do not exercise regularly and then do 3-4 session a week, your muscles will hurt. This does last forever,and your body will adapt, but it is a real turn off for most people! For your info, it takes 2-3 weeks for your body to get used to lactic acid build up and for your muscles to recover quickly after training!



After this 4-7 week period, you should have a new fitness lifestyle cycle. However, remember to keep setting new goals and challenges. This will make sure you never get bored whilst exercising!



Personally, I will tell you a little about my own exercise regime that gives you inspiration:



My passion is soccer and I love every second that I play and I am very competitive. It doesn't even feel like I am exercising and it is certainly not a chore. However, it make sure I enjoy football the most, I have scheduled my exercise regime around the following goal:



Play intensive football for 90 minutes without feeling exhausted



As such, I train 4-5 hours , and I have one 90 min game a week. During the week when I don't have soccer, I run 2x1hour to improve my stamina and do 2x 30 mins of weight sessions to improve my strength. To tell you the truth, I hate running and going to do weights, but because I am motivated by my overall goal of playing for 90 mins, I complete these activities. This goal keeps me motivated!How do you make fitness a lifestyle and not a chore?Do things you enjoy,



maybe a morning jog in the park

walks on the beach

bicycling



or maybe do things with a friend or girlfriend.Fitness is funnier when your in it together.Try going for walks together.How do you make fitness a lifestyle and not a chore?Yes,I too have that problem..Infact many us will try to workout for 2-3 days and would give up for lame excuses.But one way I found effective was to play a sport you love.



For ex,I love playing cricket.I was a great player in my teenage and I gave up in 19 since I ve got busy in studies.( I am 23 now) Obviously I started to put up weight.



So I again started to play atleast 3 days a week. 2-3 hours a days play.Since I enjoy playing cricket,I dont notice that my body is working hard.So If you have one,go out there,enjoy with your friends.



Apart from that I ve also reduced my usage of bikes.I will walk If my destination is below 1 km.But I hate walking.So what I did? I bought a Apple Ipod.So when ever I walk,I just listen my fav music.That's it ! I dont notice that I am sweating hard.



So the bottomline is..Do what you enjoy or make that enjoyable.

Gud luckHow do you make fitness a lifestyle and not a chore?
I agree with vinotys, work out when it feels absolutely right and you will get your brain psyched into believing that exercise is your favorite thing ever. These exact things might not work for you, but this is what works for me.



X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Watching that just makes me want to lift a bus over my head. Find something (maybe youtube vids or a movie or something) that gets you super pumped. Wheen you work out all motivated like that it just feels like a release.



I also listen to my most insane death metal in the morning and it gets me really pumped up and makes me want to get active and work out in the morning.