From Obligation to Opportunity: Rethinking Exercise for Your Mental Health

I'm gonna go on a rant (sort of) in this one, but first I'm going to admit something to you, and it may blow your mind... I'm a personal trainer of 10 years and I don't love to exercise.

Yup, it's true.

Being a trainer doesn't mean I'm a workout unicorn. 🦄 There are days that I low key kinda hate it. I am TIRED and drained and the last thing I want to do after working all day is get a workout in. Especially when I've spent a lot of my time in a gym already.

I have inner debates with myself sometimes that I'm sure you've had with yourself before:

Should I stop home first or just go straight to the gym...psshh...I know I ain't leaving again if I go home.

Crap! I forgot my headphones...I hate working out without my headphones...I could just go tomorrow

My hip is really bothering me today...I probably shouldn't workout and mess it up more

I just do not have the energy today. I feel like sludge. I just need to go home.

It's so incredibly easy to talk ourselves out of exercise whether it's going to the gym or doing something at home or going out for a run. Somehow there's always something that pops up.

The thing is I know not only will my physical health be impacted, but so will my mental health. I'm more anxious, I get stressed more easily, I feel less capable of doing things. Quite frankly feeling like that is for the birds soooo...

Here are some ways I get myself to go anyway

Sidenote: I prefer the gym, but some of these can work for you even if you workout at home.

• If I do go home first, whether it's to walk my dog or grab my forgotten headphones, I'll intentionally leave my phone out in my car so I have to go back outside. That's enough to get me to leave for the gym.

  
  

• I'll give myself a time limit and decide whatever I can get done in that amount of time is it and then I'm out.

  
  

• I make sure to pack snacks with me so I can't say I'm too hungry to workout.

  
  

• I, at the very least, walk and do some mobility because really when my body hurts what I know I need is MORE movement- not less. I may just need to be a little more choosy about what movements I'm doing.

  
  

• I don't want to break my streak for the week or month! Even if the workout isn't top notch, I'm still keeping the habit up by showing up.

  
  

• I think about the fact that I get to see my gym friends and that socialization aspect can be a great motivator.

  
  

• I remind myself that heart disease runs in my family and currently my stupid cholesterol and ApoB numbers aren't where I want them. LOL but for real though. Trying to avoid major health events can be a great motivator as well.

  
  

• While I typically don't feel super energized and ready to take on the world after a workout, I do feel good and accomplished. And I can tell it helps my mind function better and I feel more confident. Anxiety takes a seat waaayyy in the back.

I know some people hate working out whether it's because they're already tired and drained from their day, they hate being sweaty, it's uncomfortable because of their size or health issues, or even simply not knowing what to do.

Plus, we all have things we have to do every day that we don't want to do and adding another "thing you have to do" probably doesn't sound appealing.

What I have to say to that is...and hear me out on this... try a change in perspective.

That may make you want to punch your computer screen. That's okay. I get it.

But let's switch it from an obligation to an opportunity...

Thing I have to do

vs

Thing I get to do

vs

Thing I do for my wellness

vs

Thing I do because I value my well-being

How you choose to look at something is going to have a big impact on your attitude towards it.

Let me give you an example of how my own perspective was making me low key kinda miserable...

I chose (though I didn't see it that way at the time) to spend A LOT of time doing what I didn't want to do and not wanting to be where I was. It was basically anything and everything. I could be at work, working out, reading a book (I love reading), scrolling social media, on a hike (I love hiking), hanging out with family (I love them too!). It was this perpetual state of mind that was I want to be somewhere else doing something else.

Then I decided to WANT to be where I was and doing what I was doing. And when I say this, I don't mean acting all peppy and overjoyed. More of a pleasant contentedness. Or, depending on what it was, letting myself BE and TRULY ENJOY the moments (like when I'm reading, hiking, or spending time with my family).

So, if you can shift your perspective to exercise is meant for your good- not just another thing you have to do- it may make it easier to do.

Keep in mind I'm talking about movement and it doesn't have to be strength training 5 days a week in the gym. It's simply moving. It's doing what you enjoy doing so you'll keep doing it!

To be honest, whether you like it or not, your body was made to move and the more you move it the better it will feel- even if it at first it doesn't totally start off that way. I encourage you to push through the discomfort so it can come easier over time.

Plus, the MENTAL benefits! If you're struggling with stress and anxiety, then exercise is one of the BEST things you can do to become more resilient! (I work on this with my clients inside my SNAP Method program.) The key is to add in little bits at a time that make sense for your life right now like taking a 5 minute walk after supper, stretching for a few minutes in the morning, or doing a 10 minute YouTube workout. You WILL start noticing a difference if you make the effort!

However, if you are determined to hate all forms of exercise and would rather choose to look at it as a necessary evil or even something you just don't do- that's your choice. 🤷

But don't complain about your body hurting, having no energy, and feeling weak when you CHOOSE to refuse to move.

I said what I said.

Now before ya'll come for me, I understand that there are health conditions that impact the ability to exercise. Some people simply can't. Others need a lot of modifications and that's totally okay! I know for a fact that even things like arthritis and fibromyalgia can be improved through exercise because of working with clients dealing with those issues (and others) over the last 10 years. Besides, doctors don't have patients start physical therapy within 24 hours of getting a knee replacement just to be jerkfaces.

All I'm trying to say is... be real with yourself and see if your perspective is complete shiz before deciding exercise sucks or is "just another thing you gotta do".

Your physical and mental health will improve SO MUCH when you make it a normal part of your life!