Strategies for Alleviating the Boredom Associated with Exercise

Just about every expert in the ADD field will tell you that exercise is one of the best ADD management strategies there is. According to the book Delivered from Distraction:

"When a person exercises, she sets in motion a cascade of events that her brain loves. She sends more blood to her brain. With more blood comes more oxygen. Exercise also stimulates the release of a plethora of nutrients, hormones, chemical precursors of neurotransmitters, growth factors and cleansing agents that bathe the brain in precisely what it needs to function at its best."

From Delivered from Distraction by Edward Hallowell, M.D. and John Ratey, M.D. Copyright 2005. Page 219.

And in addition to the health and focus benefits, exercise feels good. So why don't we do it more?

For many adults with ADD, the answer to that question is "boredom". When exercise becomes boring for an ADDer, it becomes something to avoid.

Here are 4 strategies for alleviating the boredom associated with exercise:

1. Get out of the Gym

Many ADDers join gyms with a lot of excitement, only to find that their enthusiasm wears out quickly. Being on a stationary bike, treadmill, or stair climber for 30 minutes begins to seem like torture after a while.

Instead of feeling forced to get your exercise at this gym, take these activities outside. Walk or bike around the neighborhood, or find some real stairs to climb! Change of scenery goes a long way in alleviating boredom.

2. Follow the Seasons

Find seasonal activities that you might enjoy. In the winter, skiing, ice skating and snow showing are great forms of exercise. In the summer, the choices are almost limitless: team sports, swimming, rollerblading, biking, etc.

3. Join an Activity Club or Take a Class

A great way to ensure that you get regular exercise is to follow some pre-set structure. Exercise classes that meet once or twice a week for an hour or so will really help you shape up. Try dance or martial arts classes for a good workout!

Or, if there is a physical activity that you really love, but never allow yourself the time to enjoy, give yourself permission to join an activity club. You'll meet new people, spend more time on what you enjoy, and get your exercise in the process.

4. Use Music

If you must go to the gym, bring along some headphones and some fun music. It will keep your energy level up, and will allow you to focus on something a little more interesting than the wall in front of your exercise equipment.

Exercise is an excellent tool for managing ADD. It offers many physical and mental health benefits, and it can be a lot of fun! Remember, when an ADDer starts to get bored with exercise, it's time to mix it up.

Note: Always check with your doctor before beginning a new exercise routine.

Jennifer Koretsky is a Professional ADD Management Coach who helps adults manage their ADD and move forward in life. She encourages clients to increase self-awareness, focus on strengths and talents, and create realistic action plans. She offers a 90-day intensive skill-building program, workshops, and private coaching. Her work has been featured in numerous media, including The New York Times Magazine and The Times (UK). To subscribe to Jennifer's free email newsletter, The ADD Management Guide, please visit http://www.addmanagement.com/e-newsletter.htm

---

Recognize Your Motivation to Exercise

The positive effects of exercise have been documented and reported through every media outlet available. You can probably walk up to anyone on the street and ask... Read More

Your Guide To Exercise

Even light exercise is good for you, so don't get discouraged!The most important thing to remember about exercise is that you should pick something you enjoy doing... Read More

Exercise - Anxiety & Panic

Yes, all I'm afraid this does play a part in reducing anxiety and depression. As much as you may not like doing it (I've never been a... Read More

How To Overcome Workout Plateaus

Humans are habitual. They strive on routine and rituals. While it's true that routine can provide a sense of ease and security, I think we'd all agree... Read More

Weight Loss, Bodybuilding, and Exercise Tips ? Keeping Your Body-fat Low: Part 2 of 10

My name is Greg Ryan. I am a fitness expert, professional bodybuilder, personal, trainer to movie stars, former employee of Kathy Smith and over 50, 000 hours... Read More

Attention, Ladies!

Building those impressively sleek shoulders takes a great deal of raw grind but once you sport a shapely set, you'll quickly be separated from the rest. If... Read More

When Exercising Right Looks Wrong II

Enter any health club and a concept is very apparent, the same exercise performed again and again. Crowded floor space taken up by machines designed to make... Read More

Do You Have A Fitness Battle Plan?

In fitness, as in war, you want to be on the offensive, not the defensive and this means that rather than reacting to maladies as they occur,... Read More

Debunking Common Exercise Myths, Part 1

Myth #1: Heavy weights make you "bulky"Heavy weights typically do not lead to increased muscle mass, moderate weights do. Muscle mass is more of a function of... Read More

Banish Your Lower Back Pain Permanently Without Drugs or Surgery

It is estimated that about 80 percent of the population will suffer from low back pain at some point in their lives. The condition accounts for millions... Read More

2-Minute Fitness

Why would I want to write about yet another fitness program? There are so many out there. There is no escape from fitness programs whether you watch... Read More

Life Walking: Dont Walk Just For Exercise - Change Your Life

"Life walking" is more than walking for exercise and fitness objectives. It's the larger ideal of using walking to change your life.The objective for this New Year... Read More

People Walking: How Some People Enjoy Their Exercise Walking

People walking regularly for exercise often walk for more than just that. They are those who have found their sweet spot in walking.When exercise begins to feel... Read More

Exercise Motivation: 7 Sure-fire Tips

So you've begun an exercise program to get in shape and loose weight. Congratulations! You've taken a big step towards making big improvements in your life. However,... Read More

Got A Cold - Should You Work Out?

A recent study sponsored by the American College of Sports Medicine indicates that exercising moderately while you have a common cold doesn't affect the severity or duration... Read More

Performing Potentially Dangerous Gym Exercises

How do you know that the exercises you are performing are safe? Found below are some potentially dangerous exercises with suggestions on how they should be done... Read More

Exercising - Ways of staying motivated!

The number one reason people say they do not exercise is lack of time. Not long ago, a twenty-year study was completed centering on the theory that,... Read More

Sweating Vacation

It seems like everyone is concerned about putting on the pounds over the annual holiday season, but what about summer vacations? We spend the greater part of... Read More

No Pain, No Gain Isnt True For Arthritis, But Exercise Is Still Important

Recent studies have shown that exercise may acually help people with arthritis in a number of ways. It can reduce joint pain and stiffness. It can increase... Read More

Muscle Cramps and Exercise

Quite often runners and exercisers experience painful muscle cramping either during or immediately following a strenuous exercise bout and as a result, these types of cramps have... Read More

Bodybuilding, Weight Loss, and Exercise Tips ? Goal Setting for Long Term Results

My name is Greg Ryan. I am a fitness expert, professional bodybuilder, personal trainer to movie stars, former employee of Kathy Smith and have over 50,000 hours... Read More

Strength Training After Fifty

Strength training after fifty is no longer for those people who are having some sort of mid-life crisis. In fact, doctors are literally writing prescriptions to get... Read More

Exercise and Losing Weight for Life ? Avoid the #1 Mistake Everyone Makes!

Do you ever feel like you are working out so hard and nothing seems to happen? You just can't seem to lose that last few pounds, increase... Read More

Wise Up and Invest in Your Workout Success - Six Top Fitness Faux Pas

Already dedicated exercisers make small but costly mistakes regularly in their workouts, and one tiny change can have a huge impact on their results. Time is valuable,... Read More

Do You Want To Be A Bodybuilding Champion ? The Power Behind The PEN!

IT ALL STARTED ON A TYPICAL NOVEMBER MORNING back in nineteen eighty seven. Life was changing for me quickly; I just didn't realize it at the time.... Read More

Tips To Deal with Exercise Induced Asthma

For approximately 80-90% of people that suffer from asthma, exercise can be a strong stimulus for an attack. This syndrome has become known as exercise induced asthma... Read More