Keeping the fun in Exercise

eclat80

This week, I did two activities purely for fun, not for their calorie burn. I went salsa dancing on Tuesday because I wanted to dance, and went swimming today because I wanted to give my joints and shin some respite from the C25K training I'm on (novice runner). While I was in the water today, enjoying my activity for its own sake, not how many calories I could log, I realized that it's been forever since I did physical activity for fun.

It's easy when you are trying to lose weight or get fit to see food and exercise as calorie counts. But it is necessary to stop and smell the roses every once in a while to avoid burnout. Take the scenic, leisurely stroll and stop to take photos, go trampolining with friends/kids for the fun. I am going to make a conscious effort to keep the fun in exercise.

So, what physical stuff do you guys do (apart from the horizontal mambo and its variations - preempting those responses ) that are purely for fun and not how many miles, kilos or calories you can log on MFP?

Veil5577

Hiking in the woods! It's my sanity tonic. When the world gets too crazy off to the woods I go.

BigT555

kayaking. me and 3 of my good buddies all recently got one each and its great exercise. although we always end up drinking a ton of beer so that sort of negates the effects :P

alpine1994

There's a cardio dance class at my gym that is a BLAST. The teacher turns down the lights and puts on multicolored disco lights and blasts music. You just dance it out and sweat your butt off. So much fun!

I've actually never taken a group exercise class that I didn't have fun in. I like to have someone telling me what to do and when to really turn it up. Spinning especially. Yoga isn't really my thing but I do pilates at home for the core workout. Being fit is fun, so I do whatever it takes!

MinnieInMaine

Walking, especially with friends/family. I love being on the move while having conversations - the calorie burn is just a bonus.

froeschli

But... Endorphines are fun :bigsmile:

i run and cycle, for fun, i take a leisurely bike ride to the store, or the lake, or i go out with my dog... it's all a mindset. and personally, if i didn't enjoy it on some level, i'd find something else to do...

tycho_mx

Chasing the rug-rats around.

Velum_cado

I started pole dancing for fun, and for the fitness benefits. I haven't been disappointed in either area. I attend 4 classes a week, burn loads of calories, gain lots of strength and flexibility, and have THE MOST FUN EVER. I also go to a burlesque class just for fun, but that's turned out to be more of a workout than I thought it would be!

RWTBR

Part of what has been my success, and something you could strive for, is changing the way I think about exercise. I used to hate exercise and tried to avoid doing it. Anything I did was "just for fun." But now, I am in amazing shape because I enjoy the pain and hard work of exercise. I truly love running marathons and lifting weights. It's not just for weight loss and fitness; exercise can be enjoyable without being easy.

rachface1234

Zumba or anything involving dancing

Riding my horses

Mucking the horse pasture (I swear to god its fun after a day of being stuck indoors at a computer to have a simple physical task to complete)

Kayaking (spoiled, live near water)

Bike ride with a friend or family member (not for exercise, slow and relaxing)

Hiking

weird_me2

What, exercising for the calorie counts isn't fun?! I actually find that my walking/running offers me many benefits and usually one or more of them will get me motivated when I just don't feel like doing it.

1) Burns calories - Yay, more sweet tea, or chocolate, or cheese or pizza or whatever I'm in the mood for
2) Gets me away from the kids (or work)! Walking/running in the early morning is usually just my time to be alone and have some peace before the work day or home day begins. At work, if it's been an annoying day, walking gets me out of the office for some peace.
3) "reading". I buy books on Google play that I will only allow myself to listen to while I exercise. There have been days when I've done 4 miles in the morning and then gone for a 15 minute walk on each break and during lunch at work just to hear more of the story.

If none of those will get me moving, the fact that I'm signed up to run a 5k with a friend in August keeps me moving. She's currently faster than me and I want to be able to keep up. I plan to keep signing up for different races at least every couple months to always have motivation when nothing else works.

Willbenchforcupcakes

Lifting weights is fun. Especially deadlifts. my deadlifts, it's my favorite workout of the week.

cwolfman13

Actually, I think that once you can let go of the "OMG, how many calories did I burn doing X"...that's where fitness becomes fun and you really start making it a healthy habit rather than obsessing about the burn. The burn is a nice bi-product that allows you to consume more while achieving the same goals...but exercise and fitness go so much further than that and people really miss that boat. It's one of the big reasons people put the weight back on...they only attribute exercise to calorie burns and losing weight and never make it about their overall well being, fitness, and health.

I ride my bike because I love riding my bike. I also lift weights because I love lifting weights. I also like to do some swimming here and there and hiking and rock climbing. I just enjoy these activities and haven't thought about the "burn" in over a year now.

Samstan101

I find running fun (although did question that with running club team mates last night at the end of a 30min hill session!). I started running because it burnt more calories and then found I really enjoyed it. The only exercise I do but don't particularly enjoy is the elliptical trainer. Other than running I kayak and SUP board and am starting to enjoy cycling as well.

dbmata

wrasslin', in da bedroom.

Then follow up with a little of this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMUDVMiITOU