Health Plus offers tips for making exercise fun

(Vanderbilt University)

If exercise is so good for us, why is it so hard to do? Exercise doesn’t have to be a chore. It can be fun, give you energy and relieve stress. Finding activities that you enjoy and making a plan that will fit your schedule can help.

You do not need to join a gym to exercise. If you have not exercised or been active in a long time, start slowly to prevent injuries. Taking a brisk 10-minute walk twice a week is a good start. Schedule it on your calendar or set a reminder on your phone.

Try taking a dance, yoga or karate class if they appeal to you. You could also join a baseball or bowling team, or even a mall-walking group. The social aspects of these groups can be very rewarding. Maybe you like to kayak, skate, hike, jump rope or play badminton. The fun factor is a great motivator.

The most important thing is to find activities that you can maintain and enjoy.

Resources:

Learn more about physical activity.

Check out these online workouts.

Use the Start! physical activity tracker.

Health Plus provides resources to support the health of Vanderbilt faculty and staff.