Focusing on the benefits of changing a behavior can make it more enjoyable when it comes to exercise. Pleasurable experiences are rewarded by the brain by increasing levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin.

Learning to enjoy the process of exercise may raise levels of these transmitters, making exercise a positive and rewarding experience. As a result, the more you exercise, the better you will feel, potentially leading to long-term behavior change and a healthier life.

Use the steps below to help you shift your focus so that you see exercise as a means to a healthier life, which is necessary for making it a daily habit.

Reward Yourself

Give yourself a small reward after finishing a workout, completing all of the workouts you planned for yourself in a week, or reaching a goal. No, this does not imply breaking the bank or eating three times as many calories as you just burned off, but it does necessitate some forethought in order to have the appropriate reward ready.

Allow yourself to buy a new piece of exercise clothing or a formal work outfit, treat yourself to a spa treatment, or invest in new workout headphones. Treating yourself to a reward, whatever it is, activates the pleasure centers in your brain, which helps to establish a positive attitude toward the role that exercise plays in your life.

Set aside Time for Exercise

If you follow your appointment schedule religiously, there may be times when you feel as though it controls your life and leaves little time for exercise. However, it is more likely to become a regular habit if you take the time to plan your schedule and include time for exercise.

Spend some time over the weekend scheduling your exercise, including the time and location. Then you will be able to decline if someone tries to invite you in any other plans.

Set a Learning Objective

The two main categories of goals are outcome and learning. Goals with an outcome, like finishing a marathon, are more concerned with the outcome of completing a task. The process or steps necessary to achieve an outcome, such as learning how to exercise with a kettlebell, are the focus of learning goals.

Your brain will associate exercise with pleasure if you concentrate on the process of learning a new exercise technique or format. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is released in response to rewarding learning experiences.

Reframe your Thinking

Reorient your outcome goals to be more concerned with quality of life than trying to achieve a certain appearance as defined by the media. Think of exercise as a way to enhance your health and quality of life rather than focusing on using it to change how you look.

You might be surprised at how motivated you will become to maintain a more regular workout schedule if you shift your focus to using exercise as a way to achieve and maintain better health.

Get a Workout Partner

It can be difficult to initiate behavior change on your own, so having a friend by your side could make the process a little less difficult. You can make the time fly by more quickly by finding a workout partner from among your friends or family.

Additionally, it holds you and your partner responsible for one another. As a result, you are less likely to skip a workout if you are aware that someone is depending on you. If you and a workout partner make a commitment to exercising regularly, the likelihood that you will enjoy the activity increases, which is important for forming a long-term habit. A personal fitness instructor as a workout buddy can also help you track your progress and create a plan that will work best for you.

Reach out to Alchemy Personal Training if you want to plan a workout and diet strategy, and the top personal trainers in Wilmslow will work with you to identify your objectives, gauge your level of fitness, and choose the best strategies for you.