Want to be happier and healthier?
You, me, your friends, and even “that cool girl”, all want to look and feel better.
And, since exercise helps achieve both, today I’m sharing 7 simple ways to exercise more that’ll clear your mind, give you energy and get you motivated.
Keep reading to discover:
- What’s better than nothing when you don’t feel like exercising.
- The 9 benefits of low-effort exercise on your mental, physical and spiritual health — plus my go-to workout.
- The #1 way to use Alexa to feel your best.
- The workout that boosts your self-confidence and metabolism for 48 hours.
- How to use your iPhone to exercise more (it’s not what you think).
- A healthy way to stop stress, frustration and negative mood after a bad day.
- The best way to stay accountable.
- A mindset shift that’ll make you want to exercise.
- My uncommon advice — what I wish I’d known sooner.
7 Ways to Exercise More That’ll Improve Your Mood, Energy & Motivation
#1 KEEP IT SIMPLE
Think exercise means a 30-minute run or a 1-hour gym class?
If so, when you’re not feeling motivated or don’t have time, do you skip it altogether? I used to. Even though anything is better than nothing.
What’s better than nothing? A 10-minute walk. With minimum effort (because let’s be honest it’s much easier to go on a walk than go to the gym), it’ll clear your head and give you energy. And, importantly, make you feel good for doing something even though you didn’t want to.
If you did this every time you didn’t feel like exercising… over weeks, months and years, wouldn’t you be a happier healthier version of you?
#2 REDUCE THE EFFORT
When you’re low on energy and motivation, it’s hard to convince yourself to exercise — right? So, why not make it much easier on yourself by choosing a low-intensity workout?
I love combining Pilates and yoga — LesMills BodyBalance is my favourite. Regular practice has many physical benefits:
- Improved muscle tone and strength especially for your core and back;
- Better posture making you look leaner, taller and slimmer,
- Less risk of injuries, illness and back pain thanks to a more resilient body, and;
- Improved spinal mobility and even digestion!
It also brings holistic balance and connection to your mind, body and spirit. Calming you, relieving stress and anxiety, and quieting the noise in your head through focused poses, controlled breathing and meditation.
#3 USE ALEXA
Upbeat feel-good music changes your energy, boosts your mood and even your motivation. So, ask Alexa to play “upbeat dance music”, Calvin Harris, or Chase and Status.
Then try this at-home kettlebells workout –> womenshealthmag.com/kettlebell-exercises
Kettlebells is a great full-body strength training workout. Studies show your metabolism increases for up to 48 hours after it — which gives both your mind and body an energy boost for longer — plus that feel-good feeling.
It also builds lean muscle which helps burn more calories throughout the day, makes you look better in your clothes, and increases your self-confidence.
#4 DON’T STOP SCROLLING
When texting, on Instagram or Pinterest, checking your emails, calling someone or reading self-help articles, are you sitting down? Now imagine how many extra steps you’d do if you walked around your house at the same time.
From today, commit to standing up whenever you’re on your iPhone. It won’t drain your energy as much as sitting down — plus, you’re less likely to have an internet binge if you’re on your feet rather than your sofa!
#5 GET RID OF YOUR NEGATIVE EMOTIONS
After a bad day, rather than feeling rubbish all evening, watching hours of Netflix, getting a takeaway and feeling guilty for not doing anything you said you would… What if instead, you could get rid of your stress, frustration and negative mood in 30 minutes?
What if you thought of exercise as a healthy way to process negative emotions?
Try it. Next time you finish work after a bad day, don’t sit on the sofa (we all know where this leads, right?). Instead, remind yourself how good you’ll feel after exercise. Whether that’s a 30-minute walk, Boxercise if you need to let off more steam, Pilates if you need some calm, or Piloxing if you need a combination of both!
By the end of your evening, you’ll feel clear-headed, confident and unstoppable. Rather than heavy, guilty and deflated.
#6 BECOME ACCOUNTABLE
Want to increase your chances of exercising more by 95%? Exercise with your partner, a friend, or get a coach (if you’d like my help you can learn more here).
It’ll keep you accountable, boost your motivation, make it more enjoyable, and importantly for long-term success, encourage you to keep going.
So, set an intention with your partner to do gym classes together 3 times a week, plan a walk with a friend, or invest in yourself and hire a coach.
#7 CHOOSE TO FEEL GOOD
Most women exercise to look better, lose weight, or because they don’t like their body. This extrinsic motivation doesn’t last long or inspire you long-term — especially if you’re not seeing results as fast as you’d like.
So, what if instead, you exercised to be happier and healthier? To feel your best mentally and physically? To build confidence in yourself? To have more energy?
What if exercise became important to you because it makes you feel good?
Start using these intrinsic motivators today, and watch your relationship with exercise change forever.
My Uncommon Advice…
I used to read self-help articles like this and think I should do everything suggested.
Impossible of course. But it didn’t stop me feeling annoyed and disappointed when I didn’t. As a Health and Wellbeing Coach, my mission is to help you feel the exact opposite of how I felt (no more guilt and frustration).
So, here’s my suggestion…
Get the most from this article by choosing ONE tip to try. Then do it — either right now or as soon as possible tomorrow.
Because if there’s one thing I’ve learnt, it’s this: You only get the change you want by taking action.
With that said, which tip will you try? Email me at becky@beckyholliday.com to let me know. I’d love to hear from you,
FREE HEALTH GUIDE
Like this post? You’ll love my Ultimate 5-Step Guide to Health and Happiness (it’s free).
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HEALTH COACHING
Do you need some accountability?
I help women like you, reach their health and wellbeing goals in just 12 weeks. It’s the best thing you can do for your health and happiness this year.
Ash says —
“This 12-week coaching experience has changed everything. I have learnt so much about myself, my personality, how to coach myself, how to stick to a habit, identify the wins and positives in my life, to allow time to myself with no guilt. Healthy boundaries, healthier eating habits. It’s hard to put into words all the positive changes I have had in my life since doing this coaching. In the 12 weeks, you will learn so much about yourself and more. Becky supports you every step of the way, and will help you find the best version of you and whatever you want to achieve.”
Join the waiting list here –> beckyholliday.com/personal-health-coaching
Register your interest now so you don’t miss out when a spot becomes available (I only work with 3 women at a time to ensure the best most personal experience for you).
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Exercising regularly helps you think, feel and perform at your best.
With that said, I hope this post inspires you to exercise more — so you can be the best version of YOU.
With love,
Becky x