How To Make Fitness A Hobby
Have you noticed that when you need to do something that you see as a chore, it’s easy to find excuses. You’re too busy or too tired. Obstacles pop up left and right to prevent you from getting it done.
But when it’s something you want to do, your schedule magically makes room for it and suddenly you have all the energy in the world.
This is what it feels like when you make fitness a hobby.
Why Making Fitness A Hobby Is Important
A hobby is something you do for enjoyment or relaxation. Maybe you play an instrument, or you like to knit, or you collect action figures.
Maybe your hobby isn’t exactly an activity, but something you’re interested in. You might like reading interior decorating magazines or online shopping.
You’re probably proactive about that hobby. You want to spend time on it. You’re interested enough to learn about it, and you want to get better at it.
If you want to become an active person, you can cultivate this mindset around exercise and make fitness a hobby.
When you turn fitness into a hobby, it becomes a part of your lifestyle. It’s easy for you to exercise consistently. As a bonus, you get to enjoy all the incredible benefits.
Here are just some of those benefits:
*I’ve written full articles about each of these benefits and how to exercise for them, check them out to help with your motivation!
How To Make Fitness A Hobby
If you already like exercise, even a little, lean into it. Learn as much as you can, and find other people who are also into fitness.
If you’re not into fitness just yet but you do want to protect your health and feel great, you can start by thinking about your current hobbies and interests. What do you like to do? Why are you so drawn to that thing? How does that hobby bring joy to your life?
How can you apply some of those things to your fitness routine?
Shift your mindset about fitness
If you think getting in shape means long and grueling workouts that leave you collapsed in a puddle of sweat or constantly sore, you have the wrong idea of what exercise really is.
Exercise should make you feel good. It should leave you feeling strong, energized, and confident. It’s a gift to be able to move your body, and practicing gratitude that you're able to get out of bed and use your muscles can help you start to appreciate exercise for what it is:
A way to make your life better, not a way to control and punish your body.
Once you have a wider view of what “counts” as exercise and how it should be done, it will be easier to find movement opportunities that you like enough to turn them into a hobby.
Find a type of exercise that you enjoy
Once you’ve shifted your mindset about fitness, you’ll find that there’s more than one way to exercise. Find a way to move that you like and that makes you feel good. Line it up with your interests.
If you like music, look into dance or Zumba classes. If you like being outdoors, try hiking or kayaking. Like connecting with people? Try a team sport.
Learn more about fitness and exercise
I know I’m a little biased on this, but I think exercise and human physiology are fascinating. The way your body works is incredible. The fact that it adapts to the stress you put it under and (if you do it right) comes out fitter and stronger is amazing.
There is so much to learn about how your body works and how exercise can make it better. It’s not just about memorizing exercises and muscles.
If you get curious about what’s going on within yourself, you might find it much easier to see and feel the benefits of working out.
Here’s an article to get you started: How Muscle Building Works
Find a way to fit fitness into your lifestyle
If you do this right, turning fitness into a hobby can enhance your life. That doesn’t mean it needs to take over your life.
The last thing I want is for you to think you need to get obsessed with your healthy habits or fitness goals, or to focus on them so much that it has a negative effect on other parts of your life.
Start small and build up to more intense or time-consuming exercise. Be realistic and practical when setting your goals or deciding what kind of workouts you’ll do.
You can also integrate fitness into your normal daily life by “sneaking in” movement throughout the day.
Here are some tips for doing that:
Have You Struggled To Motivate Yourself To Exercise?
I’m sure some people are going to read this and get all worked up about the distinction between a hobby, a habit, an activity, a lifestyle…
That’s missing the point. I want to encourage you to exercise consistently so you can get the amazing benefits of exercise for your physical and mental health.
If thinking of it as a hobby resonates with you and motivates you to be more active, great!
If not, don’t give up!
You might also think about turning fitness into:
I’ve written articles on each of these topics to help you find the unique motivation you need to stick to your exercise program and achieve your goals. Use whatever resonates with you and leave what doesn’t.
If You Need Help
For personalized workout guidance, including one-on-one personal training, contact me!
To get started on your fitness journey now, check out my Strength Training For Anxiety Program! This 12-week workout program is guided by an app so you can do the workouts anytime, anywhere. It also has unique features that help you use strength training to improve your mental health.