Though some might not realize it, sticking to a gym routine takes serious dedication. From pushing through grueling leg days to battling the temptation of skipping your workout for a Netflix binge, it’s not always easy to stay fit. But a little humor can make it all the more bearable, and Gym Fail Nation on Facebook does just that. This group is dedicated to sharing funny and relatable memes that can lift your spirits even after a tough training session. Scroll down to see some of their best posts below! However, our struggle to keep exercising isn’t simply due to laziness. Health problems play a big role, with more than half of U.S. adults facing some kind of chronic condition. Long work hours and constant stress add to the pressure. And those with lower incomes often live in areas lacking safe and pleasant spaces for physical activity, making regular workouts even harder. Throughout human history, physical effort was crucial for survival tasks like finding or growing food. Humans evolved to handle high levels of movement but also to rest when possible, conserving energy for essential activities. In simpler terms, our ancestors weren’t jogging to burn extra calories. From an evolutionary perspective, “that would be a stupid thing to do,” Lieberman explains. “You’re wasting energy on something that’s not going to give you any benefit whatsoever.” Today, we no longer need to move as much for survival, but the instinct to conserve energy persists. This makes it hard for us to find the right motivation to stay fit. Confidence can also be a big factor. Individuals who see themselves as capable exercisers are more likely to maintain a regular routine, while those who don’t may struggle with consistent motivation, says behavioral scientist Stefanie Williams. Emma Vincent, a personal trainer at PureGym, adds that planning your week ahead can be very effective. Seeing your plan visually can help keep you accountable. “Put inspirational quotes somewhere like your mirror to look at every day,” she suggests. “This alone can give that little burst of motivation you need to get to the gym or to workout.” “You’ll see the best results the more you workout, but you need to be mindful of including enough rest,” Jones Williams says. “You should start by doing two to three days per week, for at least half an hour each time, and build up to four or five days. This will get the best results and make sure that you don’t hinder your future workouts by burning out, overtraining, or getting an injury.” Vincent reminds us that variety is also important. “Mix up your routine,” she says. “Try different classes and different training styles. Change scenery from home workouts, gym workouts and outdoor workouts.” Follow Bored Panda on Google News! Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda! Please use high-res photos without watermarks Ooops! Your image is too large, maximum file size is 8 MB.
