So many people see the pursuit of health and fitness as a chore akin to flossing your teeth. Whether you wake up one morning and stare at your reflection in the mirror realizing you’ve let those pesky pounds stick around over this whole year, your doctor tells you that you need to lose weight for medical reasons, or you simply want to see what you’re capable of by accomplishing with your health and fitness - most people tend to see the pursuit of better health as a burden.

Sacrifice of foods you love, habits you find comforting and just generally trying to stay motivated 24/7 to focus on your new goal are all things people associate with a healthy lifestyle. 

However as it turns out all of those things aren’t necessary to make meaningful improvements in your daily life and in your long term health.

It turns out, most objectively healthy people don’t spend 7 days a week going to the gym. While attending a gym is often a central part of their routine they typically find other ways to stay active. Many people sign-up for races, join community sports leagues and find ways to reward themselves for the mindful development of their health by using their body for what it is intended - movement. 

Most objectively healthy people don’t follow heavily restricted diets. They allow themselves to enjoy wine and beer when the occasion calls for it. They’ll make trade offs with saving foods they love for when they’re able to enjoy them and make conscious effort to make better food decisions whenever they’re able. 

They learn new sports. Try new activities. Go for bike rides on nice days. Take tennis lessons with friends. Go for a swim. Hike a trail. 

The people with the best health and fitness develop skills, adopt hobbies and join in activities that both use and continually develop their health as a mere side effect of their participation. These activities often double as an outlet for stress, and serve as a source of adventure. 

These endeavours can also serve to expand their circles, allowing them to meet new like-minded individuals who have made the same journey a priority in their lives as well. It is when this new way of being is no longer a foreign concept, no longer a deprived state of being but instead has become a new rich way of living that you will thrive in your health. 

Going to bed early, or turning down another glass of wine doesn’t feel like chore when the focus of an early morning bike ride awaits, and that glass of wine tastes way better after a hike.

Find ways to spice up your fitness life and you’ll find the benefits run deeper than you could have imagined! 

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