Working Out Can Be Fun

And it should be. Don't roll your eyes and scoff at that, I promise you it actually can be. It doesn't have to feel like unending torture that you have to force yourself through and hate every minute of. If it felt like that I wouldn't be able to do it, I couldn't make myself. I'm not (that much of) a glutton for punishment. You can get an awesome workout in at home in 5 to 20-30 minutes each day, and then get back to doing anything else you want (or need) to do. It doesn't have to take hours; you don't have to go run 5 miles or play at the gym for 2 hours, but if those are things that sound awesome to you then you totally should. The point is, if something sounds awful to you and you hate doing it, try something else. Don't give up and think no workouts are right for you and that you can't possibly enjoy exercise. You can, and it doesn't have to be complicated. I have so many workouts already to choose from; you can do several of them back to back, you can add more reps or change the time limit, or both, and really take it to the next level. Whatever you decide to do should be whatever feels fun for you, whatever you actually enjoy doing. If you like doing something or the way it makes you feel, that will be the motivation you need to keep at it. Stick with me, I'll show you how to have fun and keep things interesting.

​Today's 5 minute workout is...

5 sets of 3 squat pulses and a jump squat
3 burpees
5 (on each leg) backward lunges
3 jump tucks
5 laying leg raises to butt lift

I did almost 3 and a half rounds. This was a fun one for me, I like combining cardio and strength moves so there isn't too much of any one thing. Variety's important. Doing the same exact thing every day can get boring fast, that's why I like to mix it up. You're much more likely to have an easier time sticking with working out when you regularly have new challenges. Having something totally different to do each day is fun and exciting. That's what really solidified my commitment to being active. I love to challenge myself and see how much faster and how many more reps I can do each time I do a workout. I look forward to trying something new and doing different combinations of exercises and seeing how they feel in comparison with others. It all just keeps me very interested in seeing how I've improved and what I'm able to do.

I especially love to master more challenging exercises that once might have seemed impossible. Finally being able to do the pistol squat was one of my proudest achievements. So I decided to include it in this legs and abs challenge workout for all of us. It's challenging, but don't get frustrated. I included progressive modifications in the video, try it out with me. 

30 second plank hold
4 pistol squats
20 second wall sit
6 pistol squats
40 second wall sit
4 pistol squats
1 minute wall sit
20 second plank

I finished in just under 6 minutes.
Believe me, I needed to modify pistol squats for what felt like forever. But I just kept working on them and strengthening my legs with various other exercises. I didn't give up, I was determined to be able to do them, and one day I finally could and was absolutely ecstatic. The more often you work on something, the quicker you'll get better at it too. You will only continue to get better with regular practice. Do not give up. 

When a workout feels too frustrating and challenging, you may think your body is telling you it hates exercise and that you can't do this, but it's just telling you it isn't used to doing this and doesn't know how to yet. You have to show it the way, it just needs to be taught. Your body will catch on and get used to it very quickly if you keep at it. It doesn't take long at all to adjust. Don't let a challenge stop or slow you down, let it be the motivation to keep going.