Have you found the right weight loss hobby for you? (Part 1)

April 30, 2017 Ashley 0 Comments

Maybe it’s Barre.

Maybe it’s flying yoga.

Hey, maybe you’re like me, and you love punching stuff for hours (AKA: MMA).

(…while looking the *opposite* of this cute…)

Whatever it is, you’ve got a hobby. And you faithfully show up to it, in the name of weight loss (or maintenance, maybe). That’s totally important – showing up and putting in work. But that tends to stop happening when you’re not into what you’re doing – when you don’t exactly love it. And, indeed, you’re suddenly in a rut. Much like the dreaded weight loss wall, you’ve hit a passion impasse. You just can’t get it up for climbing up a crossfit rope. You sigh at the thought of cycling. Why…?

Well, let’s flip that question to ask why you don’t love it. And what people love about exercise they are passionate about. According to a study done at Humboldt Univesity in Berlin, the happiest exercisers who were sweat junkies over their workout o’ choice had four things in common: a feeling of success (through acquired skills), community (making pals, or at least acquaintances), novelty (new things in lieu of the same boring thing they did last week), and feeling spent by the end (exhaustion’s a sign of a great workout). All’ve these things collectively made attendees happy – and consistent in coming back.

(That moment when it ceases to be dedication to weight loss… and transmogrifies into addiction.)

And it makes total sense, on a logical level.

We shouldn’t settle for a weight loss hobby or cardio class that fails us in any’ve these facets. Aside from the fact that we’re gonna be paying money monthly for it, we’re also paying with our time and energy. And that time and energy should be reserved for habit-programming in a hot body molding hobby we’re passionate about. That’s why sticking with something we loathe from the get go is a no go for sustainable weight loss activities. That said, there are a few caveats if you’re a newcomer to a hobby. First? Not all these things happens at once. It takes time to build rapport with classmates or training partners. Also, it takes practice to feel the success of nailing a new skill. Some days, our A game is AWOL. That’s normal – so none’ve these are reasons to leave a potential passion.

And how about those of us who’ve been at it for a little while? How do we know if a given activity’s meant for us? Well, if we’ve been enjoying it more often than not, then that’s a sign to stay the course – so the other stuff can come. We shouldn’t quit just because one thing’s missing initially from our list. But, if we feel bored enough to de-board our flying yoga contraption or weary of with our indoor spin class, then that’s a sign. It’s not a sign to quit immediately, mind you; but it is a sign to pause, give that list a gander, and see whether it’s the class and activity failing us… or just us.

But, how do you do that… specifically? (Keep reading here)