Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe many of us know that exercising at least sometimes brings a lot of benefits that include not only our appearance but also makes us feel better, helps us forget about all our problems and maybe even motivates us to eat healthier. However, I am pretty sure many of us also just can’t bring ourselves to step into a gym or start running or do whatever sport we have in mind.
Luckily (or not), we are not alone. One Reddit user started a thread asking people online to share their fitness hacks that they have personally discovered that are absolutely game changers. So, folks, if you struggle to start working out or actually enjoy it - scroll on through to find out more, complete with an interview with Joey Thurman, fitness/nutrition expert and Gina Harney, women’s fitness specialist who shared even more useful tips!
More info: Reddit
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“Forget about that daunting ‘one-hour workout’ myth. Who’s got time for that anyway?” shared Joey Thurman with Bored Panda. “You’re living in the 21st century, not on a deserted island with nothing but time and coconuts.”
“Here’s the game plan: Sneak in a quick 10-minute arm blast between those never-ending phone calls in your home office,” he emphasized. “Think of it as a secret mission to save the world, one bicep curl at a time. Then, during lunch, drop a 5-minute squat challenge like it’s hot. Aim for sets of 20-30, and pretend you’re dodging laser beams or squashing tiny monsters under your feet. Fun, right?”
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“But wait, there’s more! Don’t just park yourself in one spot all day. Take three separate 10-15 minute walks,” he added. “Imagine each walk is a mini adventure. Maybe you’re exploring the jungle (a.k.a. your neighborhood), discovering new lands (the park down the street), or simply enjoying the great outdoors with all its wonders (squirrels included).”
“So, there you have it.” Joey emphasized that exercise doesn’t have to be a chore or a bore - break it up, make it fun, and before you know it, you’ve nailed your fitness goals without even realizing it. “Time to turn your day into an action-packed adventure, one mini-workout at a time.”
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Now, we asked Joey to share a few misconceptions about working out that he has encountered - “Myth Buster Alert: ‘No pain, no gain’ is about as outdated as flip phones,” he pointed out. “Thinking exercise needs to hurt is a one-way ticket to Ouch Town, and trust me, you don’t want a season pass.”
Moreover, he emphasized that muscle soreness is NOT the VIP badge of a good workout. “Can I say that louder for the people in the back? Just because you’re not walking around like a penguin after leg day doesn’t mean you haven’t done your body a solid.”
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“Crush It, Not Smash It: Not every workout needs to be an epic saga of you versus the gym equipment. Sometimes, just moving enough to not merge with your couch is golden.”
Joey summarized saying that your fitness journey doesn’t have to be a blockbuster action movie with high stakes and dramatic outcomes. “Think of it more like a delightful sitcom—some ups, some downs, but always moving forward, one chuckle (or step) at a time.”
“Aim for progress, not perfection, and remember, a little movement goes a long way towards your goals.”
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Finally, different opinions and misconceptions sometimes may discourage us from engaging in regular exercising or even starting this journey. Luckily, Joey listed a few things that can help you easily flip the script on exercise!
Firstly, he pointed out that it’s important to shift that mindset. “Viewing exercise as a chore is like thinking of chocolate as just another vegetable. It’s not something you ‘have to do’; it’s a privilege, a celebration of what your body can do! Exercise is like being given the keys to a sports car every day—why wouldn’t you take it for a joyride?”
“Inside Out Fitness: Remember, the main event is happening on the inside.” He then explained that we're talking heart health, brain boosts, and stress busts. “The physical changes? Those are just the encore, the cherry on top of a well-being sundae.”
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Another thing that it’s important to keep in mind is to think of exercise as investing in your personal stock. “It’s like putting away time in a high-interest savings account. The more you put in, the more you get to enjoy later, with interest, with your family and friends.”
He finished by saying that we should start thinking of exercise as the ultimate form of self-care, a daily holiday, or a personal party you’re always invited to. “It’s not about what you ‘have to do’—it’s about embracing the joy and the journey of what you ‘GET to do’!”
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So, guys - don’t forget to check out Joey Thurman’s book “The Minimum Method” and his free workout app FunFitnessBros!
Also, visit his Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube pages, where you can find plenty of motivations, exercises and lots of useful information for your fitness journey!
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Moreover, Bored Panda contacted Gina Harney, who is a personal trainer, women’s fitness specialist, PN nutrition coach and blogger.
“I think that it's important to remember that consistency isn't about intensity,” she shared. “All movement counts, and a little bit of movement every day is much better than skipping your workout for days at a time because you're too sore, or you feel like it needs to be long or intense to count.”
Gina added that she tries to add in little bits of movement where she can, whether it’s gardening, walking her dog, walking on the walking pad during long calls, or dance parties with the kids!
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We also were curious to learn about the most common misconceptions about working out and Gina shared - that there’s one ideal way to work out. She emphasized that there are so many types of workouts out there and the best one for you is something that you enjoy and that you'll do consistently.
“I also think it's common to think that a workout will outdo your lifestyle, when in reality, the 23 hours each day that you're not at the gym are even more important than your workout,” she pointed out. “How are you spending your time? How's sleep? Stress? Overall movement? Nutrition? All of these things make a significant impact when it comes to achieving health or wellness goals.”
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Gina also noted that it's easy to feel overwhelmed when you focus on workouts you don't enjoy, but you feel like you *should* be doing. “If you hate running, don't force yourself to run. Take a dance class, spin class, go for a hike, or do something you enjoy instead!”
She shared that it’s so much easier to be consistent when you actually enjoy what you are doing! “It's also easy to do too much too quickly. Ask yourself if your current routine is something you'd want to maintain forever. If the answer is no, it might be a good time to scale back or find something that you look forward to each day.”
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Finally - don’t forget to check out Gina’s blog The Fitnessista where she shares healthy recipes and workouts!
And coming back to exercise hacks - upvote your favorites and share in the comments your working out game changers! Don’t forget - it’s never too late to start working out!
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