Health & Fitness

Increase Your Willpower for a Better Exercise Routine

It's easy to tell yourself you're too tired to exercise, but flexing your willpower can improve your fitness

By Wellness Matters /

Credit: Flickr/Alain Limoges

When it comes to physical exercise, the key is often mental

Often, the hardest part of exercising is starting. Mentally train yourself to work out, even when you don’t want to

A new study has found it may be possible to increase your willpower to help kick-start your exercise regime.

Researchers at The Miriam Hospital’s Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center in the U.S. found that self-control is potentially malleable, much like a muscle, and that inhibiting impulses may help people lose weight, eat healthier and increase their physical activity.

Participants of the study found that they experienced increased self-control by forcing themselves to do physical activity when they would rather stay home. Time to get off the sofa, even if your body and mind are trying to tell you otherwise!

Originally published in Wellness Matters, Canada Wide Media’s quarterly newsletter on health and wellness.