Can You Be Convinced To Have Fun Exercising?

DISCLOSURE: THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING I GET A COMMISSION IF YOU DECIDE TO MAKE A PURCHASE THROUGH MY LINKS, AT NO COST TO YOU. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO.  (HINT: LINKS IN RED ARE AFFILIATE LINKS.)

January is National Hobby Month.  It's also the month where we begin our New Year's Resolutions.  Would considering exercise a hobby, instead of a resolution, make it easier to stick to?

Harvard Health estimates how many calories you can burn based on the activity and weight.  You don't have to go to a gym and sweat it out for an hour or two to exercise.

According to the National Library of Medicine, the definition of exercise is 

🙶Exercise is a subset of physical activity that is planned, structured, and repetitive and has as a final or an intermediate objective the improvement or maintenance of physical fitness.🙷

Let's see if we can find a way to make moving FUN!

1. Dance

Dancing Dance Move GIFfrom Dancing GIFs

Turn on your favorite music and let loose.  Dancing benefits your mental health, your cardiovascular health, your coordination, your flexibility, maybe your inner child.....the list of the benefits goes on and on.  

To stay focused, put on some headphones to tune out the rest of the world.  Flail your arms.  Jump around.  Bounce and twist.  Tango to fast music.  No one is judging you, and if someone is, be the leader in a moment of silly.

2. Hula Hoop

Hulahoop Spazz GIFfrom Hulahoop GIFs

Speaking of being silly, grab a hula hoop and swing them hips.  Truth be told, when was the last time you moved around in a hula hoop?  You can do it while binge watching just about anything.  

If you are around kids, this will be a great way to inspire and have fun with each other.

Hula hooping works your core muscles, along with your lower body muscles.  The glute muscles are the largest muscle group in your body.  Because of their location, weak glute muscles can be mistaken for lower back pain.  While hula hooping will burn, imagine how good it will feel after a while of doing this.

3. Throw a Frisbee

Playing Frisbee Gru GIFfrom Playing Frisbee GIFs

Throwing and catching a frisbee improves hand-eye coordination and cardiovascular health.  Sprinting, jumping and pivoting increase agility and endurance.  It's a game that doesn't take a lot of equipment.  You can do it with your dog, as well as friends, family, and kids.  Keep it in your bag and be ready at a moment's notice.

4. Cornhole

Cornhole Swish GIFfrom Cornhole GIFs

Cornhole is another great game that can be played by the entire family.  It tests your hand-eye coordination and depth perception, along with lower body strength.  The kids will love it too because they can throw stuff at something and not get in trouble for it.  Win-win!

5. Hike

Taste Of The Wild Hiking GIFfrom Taste Of The Wild GIFs

Hiking can be fun, especially when you plan it out.  Plan out the route.  Do a scavenger hunt, taking note of some of the local wildlife and nature.  Pack snacks.  Go geocaching.  Stop and enjoy the view!  

photo credits: 1. Nikywindis via tenor.com; 3. MinionsMovie via tenor.com; 4. rcb13 via tenor.com; 5. tasteofthewild via tenor.com