Overcoming Fitness Anxiety

How is your motivation when it comes to working out? If you have been paying for a gym pass that you rarely use or a membership to a health club that is buried in your wallet somewhere, you are not alone.  One of the biggest wastes of money that people report is their gym or health club pass and the reason why is anxiety over exercise.   Here are some strategies to overcome your fitness anxiety :

1.Reconsider the term “exercise”: If just the word exercise makes you nervous, then maybe you need to redefine this term. If you equate exercise with a gym or anything that you feel as negative, then redefine the term. Exercise doesn’t have to mean hours inside a stuffy gym – think of it as merely moving your body. Walk with a friend, go ice skating, play with your kids, or mow the lawn.

2.Educate yourself. Often people feel anxiety about working out because they don’t know what they are doing. If you don’t know how to work the machines at the gym you are probably going to avoid them because you don’t want to look stupid trying to figure them out. Most gyms will give you a free overview of the gym and they should have experienced staff who are available to show you at any time how to work the machines.

3.Find the root of your anxiety. If you are anxious about exercise, figure out why. Are you holding onto your old unhealthy habits are a crutch? Do you dislike working out in front of people and therefore avoid gyms?  Whatever you anxiety stems from, there is a solution.  Get to know yourself and what triggers you and you can overcome these obstacles.

No matter what your life situation, exercise will benefit you both mentally and physically if you can get over your fitness fears.  Finding what works for you is important and once you develop a routine that you are comfortable with, you will find that you will have no more excuses for not exercising routinely.