Why Fitness Needs to Be About the Fun Again

In this day and age, exercise seems to take the fun out of fitness and to instead just care about the end result. The way I've always seen it: when exercising, if it's not fun, then don't do it. Otherwise that is a lot of time spent without a smile on your face, and that's no good for anyone.

Ever since I first wandered into a 200 strong class of women doing an exercise class in 1983 and caught the bug, I've been passionate about exercising in the right way.

In this day and age, exercise seems to take the fun out of fitness and to instead just care about the end result. The way I've always seen it: when exercising, if it's not fun, then don't do it. Otherwise that is a lot of time spent without a smile on your face, and that's no good for anyone. I'm still Mr Motivator when the camera stops rolling, as health and wellness really is my love.

Back in 1993 when I started on GMTV, we didn't live in the online world we have now. I was able to get up there, have fun with it and love what I was doing. Now, some are focused on looking a certain way, and with that it could become an obsession. Exercise should be something you look forward to doing every day. I think the best way to do this is by setting yourself reasonable targets. If you build it up in stages, you're more likely to reach your goal. It's a marathon not a sprint, so don't try and run one at the start!

Even at 62 years old, I am still working out how I did 20 years ago. What I've done is to tailor my workout to suit my lifestyle, and I think it's the best way for me continue an active lifestyle. Sadly it does mean less cartwheels for me!

We all want to be healthy but it's about doing it in the right way. And that is by having fun with it and enjoying what you're doing. So here are three ways I like to work out:

1.Start with a march on the spot (in your own style). From the march you do two steps to the right and two steps back. Then repeat, but this time your hands are out in front pretending to drive a car. Two steps right and left two steps, as you turn the wheel of your car.

2.When you get back, march again on the spot for eight beats. Then you jump forward both feet to land, counting four beats with a wow! and then jump back four beats with a huh!.

3.From that starting position you are now going to lean forward as a jockey on a horse, so ride that horse, occasionally whipping that horse to go faster.

With a smile on your face it is the end of your (post hangover?) workout, and you'll feel better. Ready to accept what life has to offer you.

So next time you wake up wishing the curtains were closed shut and that the morning sun wasn't trying to attack your eyes, you know what to do...

Mr Motivator will be appearing at the Innocent Unplugged festival 23-24 May at a beautiful secret location in Kent, in association with The Huffington Post UK.

Close