Going to the gym is like visiting the dentist

Exercise combined with routine is on par with the dentist for me. The idea of sweating and straining in a gym 3 times a week doesn’t hold any joy. Although walking is accessible and cost effective, I don’t find it interesting as a routine activity.

Finding my “why”

Consistent exercise supports me physically, mentally and socially to move through life being happy, healthy and positively impactful.

I love the benefits from regular exercise – improved mood, more energy, less stress, better sleep, liking what I see in the mirror, and longevity.

My challenges

My personality strengths and weaknesses
Specific physical limitations
Varying work schedules
Limited time and funds available for equipment, membership, services, or travel.

My creative solutions

Reframe exercise to focus on healthy holistic movement for living well.
Multiple short 10–15-minute routines dovetail with my varying schedule.

Finding inspiration

I found great inspiration reflecting on my childhood and the things I loved playing: sliding on the carpet, handball, climbing trees, tennis, horse riding, frisbee fetch with my dog, bike trail riding, swimming, walking, trampolining, bush photography.

I Google searched for local community activities, from tai chi and indoor rock-climbing to dancing and frisbee golf.

I asked friends and family what they do for exercise, to see if we could do a shared activity.

I considered leading my own local mindful-gratitude walk.

My personal fitness routine

My own personal fitness routine is emerging out of learning-by-doing, as I find out what works for me.

Daily

Earthing: mindfully walk or sit with bare feet on the earth/grass for 20 minutes in the morning and at the end of my workday, to relieve aches, energise my body, clear my mind, and lift my mood.
Humming: 5 minutes for muscle relaxation, 5 minutes for feeling body awareness, and 5 minutes for healing.
3 Primal Moves routine.

The WOOP Exercise

Weekly

2 hour adventure walk with my dog in parks or river bikeways.
Gabrille Roth’s 5Rhythms – a dynamic movement practice.
Wi m H nh of Breathing Exercise.

Stress reduction

When I notice rising stress levels, or am trauma triggered, I use:

Heartmath using a mobile phone app and sensor to activate the parasympathetic system for rest-and-digest and recovery.
Humming for 5 minutes for muscle relaxation or to cope with mental monkey mind.
Earthing/grounding when my body is in physical pain.
Wim Hof Breathing Exercise when my mood is low.
Gabrille Roth’s 5Rhythms when stuck or emotionally down.
I use a Whoop to monitor my heart rate during exercise, and monitor my sleep to assess recovery.

Noting that sleep is when muscles are built and learning integrated, I use the mobile phone app Relax Melody to enhance sleep.
Hand drumming.
Zen Tangling drawing meditation.

Monthly

Go on an adventure.
Try something new, especially with other people.

Future proofing

I have an EXERCISE EXPLORING master list, where I keep adding activities that I would like to explore or know whether they improve my energy level and body-mind coherence. I am also exploring hydration and nutrition to support the benefits of exercise.