By Kevin Freeman

We’ve all had those days – or weeks – when we just didn’t feel like taking that walk or heading off to the gym. It can easily become just a little more convenient to catch an extra hour or two of sleep – hey, sleep is like a mental strength workout, right? – and we can usually think of a million reasons to justify our avoidance of any kind of training schedule or fitness plan.

Unfortunately, improving our health through arduous fitness training isn’t always the cheesy dream that television portrays it to be. So how can we learn to motivate ourselves on those days when we just don’t want to think about the gym? To start with, why not explore the health benefits of active sports?

One popular method for finding a little health motivation is to join a local sports team or sign up for a class at the gym. If you’ve never tried it before, getting involved with a sports group can change your life and outlook on health because it adds a social aspect to your fitness training. When you’ve hooked up with a regular group, people start to notice when you’re not there, and you’ll probably get a warm greeting or two when you return.

Plus, the competitive nature of groups might just add that little bit of push you’ve been looking for without the added cost of hiring a personal trainer. Burn some fat, build some muscle, increase your energy, and have a few laughs with some friends at the same time. Take off those headphones and add a social connection to your fitness training routine.

There’s no rule that says cardio fitness training has to be boring and is only effective on treadmills and exercise bikes. Any sport that requires a sustained physical effort that elevates the heart rate can work wonders for reducing the risk for heart disease, lowering cholesterol, burning fat, and elevating overall physical health. And it’s okay to have a blast while you’re doing it! Compared to the average person’s couch potato routines, the extra endorphins alone will start jumping for joy as they set to work energizing your mind and body.

But what if joining a competitive sport isn’t for you? Perhaps one of the most meaningful ways to improve your health is to join public awareness and charity sporting events. These events raise money for innumerable charities like the Make a Wish Foundation or give much-needed support to medical research facilities.

Getting fit while supporting a worthy cause will change your life even without the healthy aspects. But events like these can not only motivate us, they can also help us to appreciate the abilities that we might be taking for granted. Who knew that you could work on your personal fitness goals, improve your health, and benefit others in need while you’re at it?

See you at the Marathon,

Kevin