The How To Blog by Kiersten Bartolotta

How To Make your Workouts a Little Easier to Complete
(Even When you HATE IT!)

As a running coach and Exec. Director of a kids running club on Long Island, I run all the time.
 
But when people tell me they hate running, I always say “Me too!”  They usually laugh and make a comment that I don’t understand.  They also mention that I run a lot (True).  They tell me that you can’t run marathons and say you hate running (Not true).
 
They are wrong of course.   I hate running.  I usually hate every minute of it.  Getting out the door is hard.  Running 13.1 miles often seems impossible.  On days I run 3 miles, it can feel as difficult as running a marathon.  And I always want to just skip it!
 
But I have discovered some tips that help me get out to do my runs or help get me to the dreaded gym.  Here are a few I use that may help you if you are feeling the same way.
 

1.  FINDING one exercise that you love to do.  This will be an exercise program that you look forward to.  If you explore different classes, you might find one that you truly enjoy doing from beginning to end.  This may be something that is traditional, like running or it may be trending like surfboard class.  Explore different programs and see what brings you joy.  Try to do that class 1 to 2 times a week because it makes you happy.

  2.  Realize that the exercise you love right now (see #1 above) may change. This is important to understand.  You are allowed to get bored.  You should accept that you might not find one type of exercise that you consistently love.  You may stick with it or you may decide after 1 month or 1 year, it is no longer fun.  Don’t get confused that everyone must find ONE EXERCISE that they love for their entire lives.  Don’t look at people who have been doing yoga for 14 years or running marathons 5 times a year and believe that you should be like them and “find your thing.”  We are all different.  The most important part of exercise is to keep moving.  Explore and try different programs and accept that you may always be changing your “favorite” exercise program.

  3.  Accept that you will also have to do exercise programs you hate too- Besides your workouts that you are exploring or loving, you must also have 1 or 2 exercise programs that you do each week that you do not enjoy.  Maybe it is weight lifting or running.  Maybe it is a one-hour treadmill walk you do three times a week at the gym.  Adding different exercise programs help work different muscles and also helps with creating the habit of working out regardless of how you feel about the program.

  4.  Schedule the exercises in- Make a plan to schedule in 1 to 2 days of the exercise you will love to do and also schedule 1 to 2 days of the exercise programs you don’t like.  Look at your calendar each week and do a little homework to figure out what will work based on your work schedule, your family life and even the weather.

 5.  Remember the feeling AFTER THE WORKOUT (see the pictures of me running above?  All at the FINISH LINE!- Happy!!)  This is something you can hold on to.  You may hate the beginning and you may hate the middle but you will love how you feel after you are done.  And you can be proud of yourself for getting it done.
 

6.  Find an accountability buddy. This person has to be motivated to work out with you.  They should have a schedule like yours on certain days so you can figure out when you will work out together.  If it is too challenging to get to a workout together, this buddy won’t work.  Convenience of scheduling workouts together with your workout buddy is essential.  And speaking of convenience……
 
7.  Convenience of location- Sometimes we shop around for the best prices for our workouts.  Let me tell you why this may not work out.  If you are paying $10 dollars less to go 3 towns over, it may not get you there.  Driving to a gym or workout class should be convenient and close by.  If it is too far or it takes too much time to get there, it may affect your motivation to complete the workout.  Think about the following before deciding on a membership or group package: parking, location, ease of getting into a class, waiting lists, comfort.  Consider making the process of getting to the workout as stress-free as possible.

8. Be kind to yourself- When you don’t get to the gym because you had a tough day, be gentle and forgiving.  We will have bad days and bad weeks.  The beautiful part of working out is you can ALWAYS start again.  Our bodies adapt.  They come back from sickness, and injuries, and busy days.  If you skip a day, just start again and schedule the workout in.  Get used to starting over.  Be forgiving and kind to yourself and accept you can get that workout completed on another day. 

Working out is not easy.  But with a few of the tips above, hopefully we can all get it done and be happy when it is OVER!
 
 Kiersten Bartolotta, Esq. is the exec. director of Kids Run Long Island/The Mindful Difference- A non-profit offering programs for kids ages 3 and up in physical and mental fitness through running, walking, yoga and mindfulness.  More information about the Kids Run Series of Long Island & other programs at www.kidsrunlongisland.org