No one likes doing boring things. So while some people think doing croquet is fun, others would rather watch grass grow.
As a mum, you encourage your kids to have activities outside of school. Â Miss K loves ballet, she is very much a girly girl. She also does running with the SAAC running club but doesn’t enjoy it as much as Ballet.
Master M, well he is still too young to do Auskick, and I don’t think would be interested in calisthenics or ballet.  Yes, he might be interested in gymnastics, but it clashes with swimming, and my kids HAVE to do swimming.  I see it as a life skill. Miles also does running club, even though I run with him, and we have to walk, he still gives it a go.
As a kid, I use to do swimming. I loved it. Then I hated it. I hated it, cause I joined a squad, and I hated what they expected of me, I just found it too hard, and so I have up.
I don’t hate swimming anymore.  I enjoy it, but on my terms. Same with bike riding.  I love recreational bike riding, but you’ll never see me out on the road doing 60km bike rides.  That’s just not my thing.
The point is, find a sport you enjoy.
When I use to live in Melbourne and moved out of home, I wanted to do something, but I didn’t know what. So I made a list of things to try.
On that list, I had loads of different sports.
- Karate
- Dancing
- Archery
- Fencing
- Boxing
- Yoga / Pilates
- Aerobics
And so on.
I ended up loving Archery. Â I don’t know why I just did. Â It was social, but it was also individual. (Kinda like running).
Here is me at the 2005 Archery State Championships. Â Notice something? Â Ok so I’m a bit fatter, but what’s that on my face… Yes, a Smile. Â Can you tell I’m happy? Â I had a really good time, and I got a really good score (1302 FITA score from memory).
I also found a love of Yoga and Pilates. It was challenging.
And here is me from a recent run. Notice something here?
A big fat grin.
Whatever activity you chose to do to keep you active you should enjoy it. Â Have fun, and have a laugh. Â If that means doing it with a friend, then do it. Â But do what makes you happy.
But most of all.
Have fun.
Great post! I once heard some great advice that falls in line with what you are saying. They said for anyone trying to get back into working out or leading an active life but can’t figure out what you want to do. Go back to your childhood and try the activities/sports/hobbies you had fun doing then, chances are you’ll still love them as an adult and its a great way to get active again!!!
I couldn’t agree more! I also believe that swimming is a life skill that my kids must learn. My son goes through phases of hating swimming lessons but I’m not going to pull hi out of them. As you know I love running and triathlons but there is one sport I would love to do when the kids are older and that is hockey. I use to play hockey at high school, it use to put a big fat grin on my face. One day when the time is right I’ll get back into team sports however for now I am happy getting back into my tri and running training.
Oh I use to love playing hockey in high school. Should be interesting what team sports the kids choose when they get older (but much to choose from though being in the sticks).
I was a runner until I was about 13 and then stopped because life got in the way. I found running again 20 years later and haven’t looked back. Much like you, I’m trying to figure out what my children enjoy. My 4-year old has played soccer for 3 seasons and does not enjoy it at all. He says he wants to play American Football. Both boys have been in swimming lessons this week and seem to enjoy that. Hopefully, I will find something they enjoy.
I love your message! Do what you love 😉 Happy Friday!
I was just making a list of all the things that make me happy and all the things I want to learn to do. Archery is something I want to try! 🙂 That’s awesome. Love the post, love the message, and love the smiles! 😀
Great post! Totally agree you have to find something you love. I, too, love the fact that running is social yet individual. Team sports make me feel nervous to have others depending on me. Some people don’t love running, and that’s okay. I recommend they find something they do love. I also LOVE it when I can run with friends – it makes it so much more fun. I’ve found a great sense of community within my local track club. Love your smile! Congrats to finding something you love and staying with it! 🙂
I think I am a lot like you, I enjoy doing things because I choose to…once there is pressure of a coach I get less interested. Though of course a coach makes you better!
great message! Always always enjoy doing something, otherwise find something else to do so you can enjoy it.
I love this!!! So so so true!!! If you can’t have fun doing something you supposedly “love” then move on to the next thing. Life is too short to not enjoy your free time!
Great post! I am currently working with my spouse to figure out a fitness regimen. I think the best way to get excited about fitness is to find something you love to do. I guess everyone can’t love running 80 mile weeks or competing in triathlons. Keep smiling!
The thought of running a marathon scares me, but doing a tough mudder I’m like “bring it!”. Everyone is going to enjoy something different. It doesn’t matter what others like, all that matters is that you enjoy it.
You keep smiling too.
Nice post! And you are right.. people need to find the fitness that works for them!
I found this post at the Running Bloggers linkup, which is awesome. Gonna have to add you to my Feedly. 🙂
It’s such good advice. I grew up in the American South, so there are only three sports that matter: baseball, football, and basketball. And even though I tried all of them, I hated every second of it. I just didn’t like any of the sports that everyone around me played.
It took until I was out of graduate school to find tennis, and that changed my life. It got me active and moving and in good enough shape to start running, which is really where I found my passion and fun.
If I had been introduced to tennis or running early on, maybe I’d have never hit 310 lbs, but who knows? I found them eventually, and I’m healthy and fit now. That’s what matters. 🙂
Good post!
What about Polo, I know polo is huge in Argentina, as is football (aka soccer).
Sometimes you have to try lots of things to figure out what you don’t like to figure out what you do like. I don’t mind tennis myself, it has a rhythm to it like running does, so I can understand why you like it. Glad you found me.