*Yes, say those in the business of brains. From protecting your sense of self-efficacy to promoting your autonomy, the first step to effortless exercise starts here
Of the millions of species on earth that warrant scientific study, there’s one that commands the attention of everyone from academic researchers to the bloke who comes to your yoga class every sixth week. We’re talking about that group for whom sweaty exercise is as natural as breathing. The good news is that if you’re not already a member of the love-to-sweat gang, you can rewire your brain to enjoy exercise, according to new research. When scientists at Florida International University measured the electrical connectivity in the brains of the recreationally active, they found that those who perceive themselves as being highly tolerant of physical effort had greater levels of ‘remembered pleasure’ afterwards. Meanwhile, those who said they were not as tolerant had a certain amount of ‘anticipatory dread’, or negative feelings, before the work had even started.
But the good news is that you can teach yourself to be more accepting, physically and mentally, of movement; doing so will lead to more feelings of excitement about exercise in general – feelings that subsequently will make you want to do it more often. By trying some or all of these tactics, you’ll notice benefits immediately, says study lead Marcelo Bigliassi, assistant professor of neuroscience and psychophysiology at Florida International University. To feel the effects in the long term, keep up the effort and expect subtle changes to follow with time.
1 Add appeal to the exercise you already enjoy
Let’s say you don’t mind weightlifting but don’t have the can’t-wait feeling in the lead-up to a workout. You can create artificial motivation by finding ways to work in some enjoyment – be that by tuning into your favourite playlist, pressing play on a podcast you’ve been looking forward to or inviting a friend along to work out with you, suggests Dr Bigliassi. ‘You’re creating outside signals that can help you push a little bit harder and a little bit faster,’ he explains. The goal is to foster positive experiences with your sweat sessions. Then, with time, the emotion will become second nature without these external cues. Not sure where to start with finding your best-match activity? Think back to your recent past, and even to your childhood, says Dr Bigliassi. If you used to love swimming as a kid, maybe lapping your local lido could become your new cardio. Or perhaps you were a dancer at one point in your life – taking a virtual or IRL dance fitness class could reignite that passion.
2 Challenge yourself just enough
No matter
