Working Out Isn’t Supposed to Be Easy

I don?t particularly enjoy doing chest presses. Nor do I have a deep-rooted love for running on the treadmill.? Every week, I go to the gym and subject myself to a myriad of stressful activities that give me much less immediate gratification than playing the Wii or watching ?The Walking Dead? reruns ever will. Gratification is the key word. While it may take longer to register (heavy breathing and pools of sweat aren?t clear signifiers of time well-spent in my book), I do feel a sense of fulfillment for working out several times a week.

Get out of your head that it's going to be easy

If you?d sooner sit on the couch all week downing Dr. Pepper, working through every episode of ?MacGyver,” we have something in common. Of course, I?d rather chill out than work out, but I know that in order to stay in the shape I desire, I need to work out several times a week. This is something a lot of people I know just don?t get. I can?t tell you how many times I?ve seen people give up on working out because they think it?s too hard or takes away from their free time. Let?s look at these two complaints, shall we?

It?s true, working out isn?t a cakewalk (unless you walk around using two pound weights or going 1.0 on the elliptical.) But is it really that difficult? Even if you push yourself at the very minimum, you?re bound to see results over time. If 400+ pound people can run 9.0 on the treadmill on ?The Biggest Loser,? you can?t really complain (unless you weigh 600 pounds).

Regarding time, you don?t have to be a gym rat, hanging out at the fitness center like it?s your second home, to make a difference with your body. Most of the people I know work out for around an hour?s time. That?s enough for a decent amount of cardio and strength training. Even half an hour of high-intensity workout will do wonders. If half an hour, three times a week is too much time away from your busy schedule, you need to take a look at your priorities. If the President of the United States of America has time to work out every morning, you can probably fit a decent run or set of push-ups in-between sitcoms and bursts of PS3. If driving to the gym takes up too much of your time, get a bench or use your body weight; it?s just as effective.

If you do decide to work a regular fitness routine into your schedule, understand that it?s not going to be easy. While working out can relieve stress and leave one feeling great afterwards (see runner?s high), it?s supposed to be hard. For all you guys who think it?s too hard, it?s hard for us regular gym-goers, fitness fanatics as well. What it comes down to is commitment level. Once you start actually working out on a regular basis, it doesn?t hurt to do ten push-ups. 500 on the other hand?