I Hate Exercise: How One Mom Learned to Work Out Every Day Anyway

Eight months ago, Faye joined a coaching program. What she told us on day one is something we hear a lot: “I hate exercise. I want to have a better attitude about it so that I’ll actually do it instead of dreading doing it. I want to learn some general principles about exercise so I can teach my kids how to be healthy with exercise. It’d be great if I could look awesome, but honestly, I just want to be healthy.”

A lot of the people we work with are in a similar boat. They have packed schedules with work, taking care of their family and loved ones, and all the other responsibilities that come with “adulting.” And they’re trying to figure out: how do I have a better relationship with exercise so this actually works for me? Both for myself, and for my family.

Faye and her coach started somewhere unusual – not with a workout plan, but with a mindset shift. (Shout out to Coach Shortis!) Exercise didn’t have to jump from “the thing I loathe” to “thing I love” overnight. Instead, they treated it like a hygiene practice. You don’t have to LOVE brushing your teeth. You brush them anyway, because it’s part of caring for yourself.

Five to ten minutes of movement can work the same way. Fast-forward eight months. Faye has done a 5-10 minute workout almost every single day. Here’s what she had to say about it, in her own words: “When I started Nerd Fitness Coaching, I think it would be safe to say that I didn’t like exercise. In fact, it might be more accurate to say that I loathed and detested the mere thought of exercise. However, grown-up me (with kids) realized that my exercise mindset was probably (definitely) not conducive to my family’s health. Honestly, I didn’t think I would ever change my mind about exercise. I joined Nerd Fitness fully expecting to “do exercise” whilst continuing to hate it.”

Fortunately for me, my coach is AWESOME. And also, sneaky. He sort of tricked me into kind of actually enjoying exercise. Sure, most of the exercises felt super exercise-y but some of them were, dare I say, fun? Even when it wasn’t fun, it was still doable and I felt good about doing it. It surprises the heck out of me to say it but I now exercise almost every single day. And I don’t hate it! I might even sort of like it sometimes. But don’t tell my coach. “

Sneaky” is a good strategy Faye’s story really hit home for me this week. My son is 12, and he’s just getting into the idea of training. As parents, we want the best for our kids. And as a coach, I’m even more aware that the way we talk about fitness with and around our kiddos has a big impact on their long-term relationship with it. Much like Faye, I want to teach my kids how to be healthy with exercise, and also, hopefully make it something they don’t loathe.

The impact of adopting a positive mindset towards exercise can be significant. By treating exercise as a hygiene practice, individuals can develop a more sustainable and enjoyable relationship with physical activity. This approach can be particularly beneficial for those with busy schedules or who struggle with motivation. By making exercise a non-negotiable part of daily life, individuals can reap the benefits of improved physical and mental health, increased energy, and enhanced overall well-being.