ASK THE "DON'T DIET" DOCTOR

Dear Dr. Dorie:
I used to exercise a lot to try to control my weight, but now I’m rebelling against it.  I know I should exercise, but I hate it!  How can I have fun with fitness, as you suggest?
- Can’t Just Do It

Dear Can’t Just Do It:
When you exercise for the sole purpose of weight control, you can often take the fun out of fitness.  You have fallen into a common fitness trap:  feeling chained to an exercise regimen and then hating it.  Instead of wanting to exercise, you have to force yourself to do it.  If you can convince yourself to work out, you probably can’t wait until you are finished.  It sounds like you are at the point now where it is difficult to get yourself to follow through at all.  The good news is, there are several things that you can do to start having fun with fitness.

First, change your view of exercise.  Since you have linked exercise with weight control, you probably think of exercise as a way to burn fat and calories.  Try using the word ‘activity’ instead of ‘exercise.’  Think of activity in a simple way, as something that involves moving your body.  Go beyond weight control and focus on the true benefits of being active, such as enhanced strength, improved flexibility, increased endurance, and reduced health risks.

Next, experiment with new activities.  Since you are not having fun with your old regimen, try new activities and stick with the choices that you truly enjoy.  Be sure to include a variety of choices so that you get the benefits of cardiovascular, strength training, flexibility and relaxing activities.  If you were used to going to a gym to work out, you may want to try activities outdoors.  If you only engaged in exercise on your own, consider trying a fitness class or playing a team sport.

Finally, a key to having fun with fitness is to focus on the movement of your body and the benefits you are receiving in the present moment.  With exercise, people tend to count down the minutes until they can quit.  Instead, you can be active and enjoy it by noticing your muscles as they contract, your joints as they move, and your breath as it flows in and out of your lungs.  Get a true appreciation for activity as a gift to yourself.

Let go of the connection between exercise and weight control.  Focus instead on enjoying the benefits of activity and you can have fun with fitness.

© 2006 Dr. Dorie McCubbrey, all rights reserved.  As one of America's leading experts on obesity and eating disorders, Dr. Dorie is the author of How Much Does Your Soul Weigh? (HarperCollins, 2003).  Visit www.DrDorie.com for more diet-free solutions to your food, weight and body worries.

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