Even self-professed couch potatoes understand that exercise is necessary to maintain physical and mental health. While there is no magical elixir to getting all of the benefits of physical activity, there are ways that you can make moving your body more enticing and efficient. Have a look at our three steps to get couch potatoes up and moving.
Find your motivation
Some people are motivated to exercise to look slim. Others simply want to fit into their favorite pair of jeans. Still, for many, the motivation to exercise has nothing to do with vanity; perhaps we have received a stern doctor’s warning or want to keep up with our kids at the playground. The critical component of getting off the couch is finding your own personal motivation.
Using the principles of behavioral psychology, we recommend that you find something that will reinforce your commitment to exercise. By adding positive reinforcement, you will be more likely to keep up with your new routine. If it doesn’t work, you need to reevaluate until you find something that does motivate you. Ideally, stay away from food-based rewards and look towards other perks like pedicures, a massage or even a new game.
No excuses
Many people hate going to gyms. They are time-consuming to get to and can be intimidating. Similarly, not everyone enjoys being outdoors. Whatever the excuses are that block you from exercising, try to find an alternative way around them. Eventually, you’ll realize that every obstacle has a workable solution, especially with the right motivator.
For some people, this means starting to exercise in the comfort and seclusion of their own homes. If you think personal exercise equipment is too expensive, we have you covered; there are exercise equipment rental companies that can deliver right to your door, set up the machine, and perform any necessary maintenance. You can give it a try on a monthly basis before you commit to anything long-term.
Get moving
We recommend getting a classic treadmill to get couch potatoes up and moving. The reason is simple: you can get moving and watch TV at the same time. Set yourself smaller goals based on distance, time or calories burned. No one is watching, so go as slow as you want; the critical component is to keep moving.
Once you are feeling more confident, you can increase your distance or consider using the incline function. Here is a list of five benefits of incline walking on a treadmill versus staying flat:
- Burns more calories in equal time
- Burns more fat in the same amount of time
- Increases endurance
- Builds muscle and offers strength training benefits
- Increases cardiovascular fitness while being easier on your joints than running faster
Getting up off the couch and taking the first step is, by far, the most challenging part of the process. However, by working on yourself and finding your own personal motivator, you are pointing yourself down the path of success. After all, it doesn’t matter how fast you get there, it is about continuing with your journey.