...or is it just me? I've been working out before, years ago, but just started again recently with the beginning of August and now I have the same problem as back in the day: IT'S SO BORING. Usually when people complain about doing sports, it's because they are getting exhausted or because it feels uncomfortable. Personally I'm fine with it - of course it's exhausting, but I don't mind, that's part of it and I don't feel uncomfortable at all. It's just that when I'm swimming, biking or running for cardio, it's so damn boring. I just swim and swim and pray that it's gonna be over so I can read or watch something, do something that is interesting rather than going back and forth in a pool full of water. Anybody have this problem when they work out? Maybe I'm just not a sports person. I always hated sports at school because of the people who turn into ambitious fucktards once they see a stupidass ball, so later in my life I started working out alone and guess what - sports weren't that bad afterall. But now I have the problem of overwhealming boredom If anyone else has experienced that, how did you manage to make your workouts more interesting? I'm already trying to put in some variation (I do swimming, biking and running) and I usually try to roam a different path every time I go. But since I do one or two of these workouts everyday, it's bound to repeat itself at some point. And swimming is the worst... maybe the most efficient cardio workout, but also as boring and dull as it can get.
Music? I HATE going to the gym, but I do it anyways to keep my waistline down. Music helps. I can't say there's any possible way to make swimming more interesting- the ocean is not a place to work out in, really. Especially 'round these parts. For biking/running, like you said, going out instead of going to a gym is always good. And you could always take the bus to a new place, like the seawall, or out to UBC. It's time consuming, but you get to go through some new areas. Especially PSP near UBC- I like to try and get lost in there so I force myself to have a longer workout.
Working out can be boring but I'm usually fine with it, I tend to enjoy taking a break out of normal life, away from solcialising, watching movies, playing video games, etc and having some alone time to just think about stuff. While it tires you out I find it very therapeutic almost meditation like. If you don't dig that sort of thing and just get really, really bored, try doing something else for a change. Maybe pick up some dance classes or something, like street dance or break dance, they're incredibly active you will have a good cardio work out but you'll also have a creativity component to it to keep your imagination going at the same time. I don't know if you're into that sort of thing it's just a suggestion, but break dance is especially good for all parts of your body, heavy cardio for beginners but you slowly work more on upper body strength in advanced classes, just something to think about.
Download the Mortal Kombat Album, Mortal Kombat More Kombat album, Mortal Kombat movie OST, Mortal Kombat movie Original score, and the Mortal Kombat annihilation soundtrack. Then download the Blood Sport soundtrack and also for good measure "Push it to the Limit" from the Scarface soundtrack. You're not working out. You're now training for the fight of your life. You're not working out. You're now fighting for the fate of the world.
Honestly, do something like this. It doesn't even have to be Mortal Kombat if that's not your thing. Think of a game that you really like and find music from that game that pumps you up. For example, if you really like the Halo series, download music from the series to whatever portable music player you have, put your headphones on and just focus. Think like you're actually in the Halo universe and give it your all as you're exercising. Change the music to another game you like every few days to keep yourself from getting bored. One day it might be Mass Effect, the next might be Castlevania, the one after that might be Final Fantasy, whatever works for you.
Some Japanese supermarkets play one of the pieces of Rocky music, so when I hear it I think of shopping and buying Natto and Daikon... Personally I find new routes to jog and I listen to an audio book or a radio comedy whilst working out.
Don't forget getting your music when you go to the gym, and when cycling or running try finding new places to go
I think music is the best and interesting way to do workout. I love to do workout with music because music makes our mind fresh and keeps us active through all the workout.
Everyone is recommending music, but I find that podcasts and spoken word albums also go a long way. It's good to have a variety of content because there will be days you are sick of music.
The company I work for recently handed these http://nikeplus.nike.com/plus/products/fuelband out free to employees. I have to say it's improved my life considerably because being active is now like a game what with the leader boards and the achievements to unlock. Instead of dragging myself to the gym or out for a run just for the sake of it, I now will do anything to make sure I hit my daily goal and I've also set a very ambitious monthly target. Granted not for everyone but it works for me.
I actually got something similar called the Fitbit Ultra. As Twimfy said, you not only increase the intensity and frequency that you workout, but you will also do little extra things throughout the day like take the stairs instead of the elevator or walk to the store instead of drive. It's definitely not for everyone, and you may end up bored of it, but it's a pretty cool gizmo. There are a few of these fitness devices, and the only real reason to choose between them is what your friends already have so you can be ranked against them.
running: i always take someone with me and try to go a set route. that way i can see how much further i make it between breaks and i have some friendly motivation/conversation. biking: whether i go it alone or with a friend i try to change up the routes. i pick a place i like to eat at or always wanted to try but never have. let hunger be your motivation just dont pig out. swimming: pretend a giant man-eating shark is right behind you. you will not have time to think about how bored you are. i am not joking this has worked too well for me and because of my overactive imagination i now have an irrational fear of water that i cannot see straight through to the bottom.
I agree with the general consensus - load your iPod with lots of music, audio books etc. Or listen to the radio. Or listen to television (if you have Internet, you should be able to get a television station's online stream). Or put a movie/TV show on your portable multimedia device of choice. Or go with a friend and chat. Hell, you could even read if you wanted. Audio books don't have to be someone reading a book, of course. You can get television/radio shows in audio book format. Or language courses. If you're doing a sport where you can't take your iPod (pretty much only swimming), then you're just going to have to keep yourself occupied. Learn a language, and practice counting in your head in that language or something.
