How to Get Exercise When You Hate to Exercise

Exercise is necessary to keep mind and body healthy. However, it can also be boring-counting laps and reps, checking times and heart rates, listening to the same music week after week. It's easy to skip exercise in favor of something more pressing or just more enjoyable. The secret to getting more exercise is to trade a pointless, repetitious routine for something fun.

Instructions

1. Get off the track. Walking is an activity almost everyone can do and requires no more than a good pair of shoes. Instead of walking the same circuit on a track, trail or neighborhood, go where there's a crowd. Walk at malls, museums, parks, zocalos or boardwalks and people-watch while you walk.

2. Take dance lessons. Whether it's square, ballroom or tap, dancing burns calories. You can go with a partner or alone. After a few lessons, you can go out dancing at a club or ballroom where you'll be getting more exercise while also having fun.

3. Clean house. Instead of choosing between cleaning house or working out, approach housework a little differently and you can do both. Turn up the stereo and do everything that requires a lot of effort, such as cleaning the bathtubs, mopping, making beds and vacuuming. Save easier tasks like folding clothes or washing dishes for last.

4. Take up a sport. Learn to play a game and join a league. Many people who otherwise won't exercise will practice their chosen sport every day.

5. Walk a dog. Don't have one? Ask to walk a friend's or neighbor's dog.

6. Read on the treadmill. Instead of watching the display, read a book or magazine while using a treadmill, stationary cycle or stairclimber. Go ahead and slow down until you can comfortably do both. Consider making a rule for yourself that you will only read for pleasure while exercising.

7. Listen to podcasts. Download podcasts onto an MP3 player and listen to Spanish lessons, news and sports commentaries or short stories while lifting weights. If you prefer music, subscribe to podcasts that offer new workout music every few days.

Tips & Warnings

• Fitness experts will tell you that you need to keep track of your heart rate, the duration of your workouts and the distance you covered, that you need both strength training and cardio, that you should vary your workouts, and so on. It's all good advice-if you're a regular exerciser. If you're not exercising at all, these things don't matter too much, so get moving and don't worry about the details. (Do pay attention to your heart rate and stop if you feel pain or shortness of breath.)

• Before you start exercising, see your doctor.