For far too long we have believed that pleasure is something to be justified or earned.  Pleasure, we are convinced, is only what we can allow ourselves to experience after we’ve lost weight, achieved a fitness goal, or competed and won.

“So many people approach their workout as though it were an unpleasant chore.  Sometimes it’s thought of as something that is to be endured, not enjoyed, “ explains personal trainer Tina Riege who has spent the last ten years helping her clients not only get in shape, but also grow to love the journey taken to health and fitness.  “People need to have a good time when they work out.  It’s vital if you want to stick with and succeed at a program.”

The secret to a great workout is to take away boredom and bring contentment into it making the experience interesting and satisfying.

“Our state of mind can never be kept a secret,” says Riege.  “It’s constantly reflected throughout the body.  Frustrations about the past and worries about the future manifest themselves into muscle tension.  The best way to deal with life stresses is to live in the moment.  There’s no better, safer, more emotionally secure time to live in the moment then during your workout.”

While it takes practice, living in the moment brings a new vitality to a workout program.  Paying attention to your mind, body, and environment creates a new appreciation for the process of transformation you have devoted yourself to.

-Consider taking your workout as seriously as other areas of your life such as your job or relationships

-Consider taking the focus off of instant results and think about what changes you need to make to ensure your workouts are more enjoyable

-Consider making your workouts something special rather than treating them as though they were a separate part of your life

Your workout is a time for you to escape.  Give yourself permission to give love and nurturing back to the person who deserves it the most-yourself.

Says Riege, “There are three steps to take to prepare for your healthy escape.  First, have a regular place to workout.  Being in familiar surroundings that you enjoy to be in will help you to relax and to concentrate.  Second, wear comfortable clothes you only wear for your workouts.  It’s the same as using china on special occassions.  The more meaning you put into the experience, the more you’ll gain from it.  And finally, have all the equipment you may need ready to use so you won’t have to be interrupted during your workout.”

Rather than rushing into a workout and then spending most of the time diverting your attention from the activity by watching TV, listening to music, or reading, Riege suggests being open to the idea of communicating with your body instead.

At the start of your workout being by wakening the body through a simple breathing exercise.  Sit on a chair or on the floor with your spine straight.  Keep your eyes closed and rest your left hand on your lap.  Place the index and middle fingers from your right hand between your eyebrows.  Close your right nostril with your thumb.  Inhale through your left nostril four counts.  Then close your left nostril with the last two fingers and hold both nostrils closed for sixteen counts.  Release your thumb to open your right nostril and exhale to the count of eight.  Inhale through the right nostril four counts.  Once again, close both nostrils and hold your breath for sixteen counts.  Finally, open the left nostril and exhale for eight counts.  Repeat this exercise two more times. 

Once you have restored your energy balance through breathing, Riege recommends including stress-reducing warm-up stretches to relax and energize the body.

“Not enough can be said about stretching,” she said.  “Neck rolls, side stretching, shoulder stretching and numerous other soothing stretches not only relax your body, but they ground you mentally and physically leaving you more aware of being in the moment.  That feeling of being in control, and your mind and body being as one, is the most wonderful peaceful feeling that you’ll want to sustain while you’re putting your body through the paces during the rest of your workout.”

Most of us think of exercise as being a purpose with no meaning.

Workouts do not have to be a boring regime of endless minutes we approach with resentment and dread.  The mind works best when the body is in motion, and exercising is an excellent time to give both an adequate workout.

“There are many ways to make a workout more interesting.  Having a workout partner is effective as is adding the element of competition to your program. And of course, you can change your activity until you find one that you do find interesting. My preference is visualization. During most aerobic activities you can allow your imagination to run wild.  If you want to solve a dilemma, plan something for the future, or just enjoy a stream of consciousness, a workout is the best place to stimulate your mind.  You forget about the repetitiveness of the exercise and you let your creative process do what it was meant to,” said Riege.

Before a workout, choose a question, a situation, or an issue to meditate on during your workout.  While your body is in motion you may find yourself straying from your chosen reflection.  Gently bring your mind back into focus.  By the end of your program, you’ll have enough new thoughts to inspire change.