Not everyone is blessed with a gung-ho attitude when it comes to regular exercise, especially since it takes a level of commitment and hard work. It’s much easier to lounge on the couch and binge-watch the latest Netflix shows and movies. The modern world makes it even easier to remain sedentary as technology makes our lives more convenient. A push of a button and a few swipes on your phone are all it takes to do anything, whether you’re craving for Korean food or need to request a professional to repair the hail damage on your car.
Working out is also intimidating if you’re a beginner. There are a lot of muscle areas to develop, routines to choose from, and fitness experts to listen to. The amount of choice can lead to analysis paralysis, eating up what little motivation and drive existing. Facing seemingly impossible amounts of work is one of the reasons why people choose not to do anything at all or, in other words, be lazy instead. The results aren’t worth the energy of the present moment.
Unfortunately, having an inactive lifestyle brings a myriad of health issues such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. The human body is not used to the lack of activity as many vital internal functions and processes are only activated and regulated through physical exertion.
There is still hope for lazy people to start working out and become healthier individuals. It doesn’t even need a great personality change. You can be both lazy and healthy at the same time. Here’s how:
Acceptance is key
Change doesn’t happen overnight, even in the best circumstances and intentions. You won’t suddenly shrug off your lazy nature after one or two workouts. More often, you’ll get burned out and revert to bad habits if you push too quickly too soon. Accepting your faults, laziness, in this case, allows you to work through them and choose strategies that work best for you instead of copying the routines of hyper-motivated people.
Slow and steady wins the race
Since you know that you’re lazy, you’ll see the logic of breaking down the daunting goal of becoming fit into smaller and more palatable steps. Momentum, through quick wins, can increase confidence and sustain engagement. You won’t succumb to the pressure and weight of the work since you know that you’re making progress through your own means.
Start by scheduling a workout session once or twice a week if you haven’t exercised at all. Then work your way towards a level of intensity and frequency you’re comfortable with. You might even choose to start a fun and upbeat dance video or play the Ring Fit Adventure game on the Nintendo Switch.
Reward yourself
Seeing the gains of regularly working out takes a long time. There’s no immediate reward that can help motivate the amount of effort needed, which is why you have to create your own achievement system. The prize can be as simple as a cup of coffee, a guilt-free Netflix session, or a twenty-minute nap. Rewards that take too long, like getting the latest running shoes or going to the beach, are not as effective. You must have something good waiting for you at the end of the hard work.
Laziness might be a personality flaw, but it doesn’t mean it has to stop you from achieving your fitness goals. Strategies like accepting your limitations, starting small, and employing immediate rewards can help you start a regular workout routine.
