When it comes to losing weight or improving your overall health and fitness one of the first things people think they should do is start jogging.
Let me ask you a question. Do you like jogging? Most people hate the idea of jogging or doing “cardio.”
Here’s the good news, you DO NOT have to go jog to lose weight and improve your health.
Trying to make a boring activity like jogging, something you dread, a part of your health and fitness plan is a terrible idea. In fact making anything you dread part of your fitness plan is probably the fastest way to failure!
In addition to being something most people hate, many people are actually doing their body a disservice by jogging, due to poor mechanics and a lack of strength. But that’s an article for another day. (There’s also a big difference between jogging and running. That too is an article for another day).
So if you’re like most people and you hate the idea of jogging, here are 15 fun activities you can do instead.
You’ll get the same benefits of getting your heart rate up, burn a few calories (something jogging doesn’t do as much of as people think), and these activities are a way better workout than jogging, because you will actually continuing doing them in the long haul!
1. Hike
Why pound the pavement jogging when you could be exploring a trail and taking in the wildlife around you. Bring a camera and see what animals you can capture on film.
2. Kickboxing Classes
One thing I’ve realized training lots of clients, people like hitting and kicking. It’s an exhausting workout and one you will enjoy pushing through.
3. Ultimate Frisbee
An awesome team sport that consistently keeps you moving throughout the game.
4. Throw a Boomarang
Learning to throw a boomarang is challenging and will lead to many, many, many throws where it does not come back to you. This means you’ve got to keep on the move to retrieve it.
5. Salsa, Tango, or Swing Lessons
Really any dance class will get you moving, but the more up beat the better.
6. Run Football Routes With Your Kid
What better way to spend time with your child than playing catch. Rather than just lobbing the ball back and forth, run routes. Drop a pass, drop down and do 10 push ups.
7. Water Polo
Water polo is an extremely demanding sport that requires lots of treading water and swimming. However unlike lap swimming the competitive aspect will keep your mind off the exercise component of it.
8. Go Sledding This Winter
Powering up the hill after sledding down is absolutely exhausting. Again, the big difference is you’ll love every minute of it! For an extra challenge drag your kid up the hill on the sled.
9. Snow Shoeing or Cross Country Skiing
Just because winters here doesn’t mean you have to hit the treadmill. Check with your local golf course, often times they will let you cross country ski on the course.
10. Racquetball
Another great activity you can even do in the winter. Stoke your competitive flame and join a league.
11. Golf
Skip the cart, be your own caddy and push the pace. There is actually a sport or maybe a trend called Speed Golf. The goal is to see how fast you can finish a round of golf. The easiest way to cut time is hurrying your ass from one shot to the next.
12. Trampoline Gym
While it looks like all fun and games, set a time of 15 minutes of consistent jumping and you will be amazed at how much of a cardio experience it is. Don’t just stick to your square, try traversing the entire trampoline floor.
13. Fetch With Your Dog
Don’t throw the ball and wait for the dog to retrieve it, try to beat your dog to the ball, or run to a different part of the park for your dog to meet you at. Sure this is actually running, but you are already at the park so why not? It beats just standing and waiting.
14. Any Sport
Tennis, volleyball, pick-up games of basketball, literally ANY game or activity you enjoyed as a kid is the perfect substitute for jogging.
15. Cycling
Whether it’s on the road or on the trail, cycling allows you to go further and see more than you ever would jogging!
Fill in the blank _________. What activity would you enjoy doing that gets your heart rate up? What skill have you thought would be fun to learn? Is it dancing? Martial arts?
Getting in shape doesn’t mean sacrificing your life. Being fit enhances your life!
So what activity will you do?