An active lifestyle is a matter of choice
Written by personal trainer Marika Haag Do you feel like you lack self-discipline and think that someone needs to drag you to the gym or out for a run? Do you feel guilty when you open a bag of candy and collapse on the couch in the evening instead of mustering the energy to head out for a run? Take a closer look at your own thoughts. The more negative feelings you have about things related to an active and healthy lifestyle, the less […]
Exercise doesn't always require goals
Have you lost your motivation to work out because you didn’t reach your goal, or has working out become a chore because it’s impossible to reach that goal? What if you forgot about your goals for a moment and just worked out based on how you feel, enjoying the process? A New Motivation for Exercise Exercise doesn’t always require goals. So how can you motivate yourself to exercise without goals? You can find a new motivation for exercise by truly focusing on your own […]
Work out more effectively with a friend
Valentine's Day is coming up. Why not go to the gym with a friend to celebrate? Working out with a friend is actually more effective than grinding it out alone. Here are five reasons why you should hit the gym with a friend. 1. A friend makes it easier to get started Once you’ve scheduled your workouts together and set the times, you won’t want to cancel them. Even if you’re not in the mood to work out […]
New Year's resolution to start working out? Don't make these mistakes!
Many people promise to start exercising to ring in the New Year. However, these promises often go unfulfilled. To give you the best possible chance of keeping your resolution, we’ve listed the four most common mistakes and tips for avoiding them. Mistake 1: You start out too hard and aim for perfection right away. Solution: Starting out too hard will most likely result in such sore muscles that you’ll feel like you’ve been run over by a truck. Too […]
Are you nervous about starting your gym workouts?
Are you nervous about starting gym workouts? You’re not alone in your fears! Starting and trying something new makes almost all of us nervous. But how can you get past that nervousness and lower the barrier to starting gym workouts? What about those love handles, feeling clumsy, and other people’s stares? Many people stress about their appearance and fear being stared at when they walk into the gym. No single aspect of your appearance is the cause of your nervousness, even if it seems that way […]
Returning to the gym after the COVID-19 hiatus
Have you taken a break from the gym and group exercise classes because of the COVID-19 pandemic? Are you nervous about returning to the gym after this break? You’re not alone. Maybe you’ve worked out at home from time to time and gone for walks outdoors, but your old exercise routines may have fallen by the wayside, and the couch is calling you more. What happens to your body during a break? Here’s the boring truth: muscle strength and mass decrease, and endurance declines. Your weight might drop at first […]
Physical Activity Behavior
Have you ever wondered how we go about making changes to our habits? And have you ever heard of the stages of behavior change? When examining exercise behavior, we can use the stages of behavior change—a theory that explains what happens when we decide, for example, to start exercising or change our lifestyle. By examining the stages of behavior change and understanding them, you can also find guidance for making your own lifestyle changes. What is the stages of behavior change theory? There are several theories of behavior change, and the idea behind them […]
Let's get in shape for summer now
Do you try to work out in the winter and spring to get beach-ready for the summer? Many people aim to get in shape for summer and start working out no later than when the first signs of spring appear. The light and warmth of spring get us moving, and we may find ourselves increasing our physical activity without even realizing it. So why bother trying to get in shape for summer during the winter, when the best time to train for beach-ready fitness is actually in the summer! Why work out in the summer? In the summer, there’s plenty of light from morning […]
Need more motivation to work out? Bring a friend along!
This week we’re celebrating Valentine’s Day. Friends are important to all of us. Many things are easier with a friend, including working out. Why should everyone have a workout buddy, and where can you find one? Here are six reasons why working out with a friend is a great idea, along with tips on how to find a workout buddy. Set your workout times in stone An effective way to make time for working out is to mark […]
Do you compare yourself to others? Keep these things in mind.
Comparing Ourselves to Others—A Motivator or a Hindrance? Do you sometimes find yourself comparing yourself to others and their achievements? Most of us do this without realizing it, but why should we learn to become aware of it and adjust our behavior? Comparing yourself to others can be positive; in such cases, the comparison gives us extra motivation for our own efforts. In these situations, it’s as if we admire another person and their achievements, which leads us to look for ways […]