May 3, 1999
Web posted at: 11:55 a.m. EDT (1555 GMT)

In this story: How do we have fun? Make a new tradition Be happy RELATEDS

By Nancy I. Bateman

(WebMD) -- Ask the question, "Wanna go for a walk?" to a dog and he'll knock you over getting out the door. Try posing the same question to your spouse. Didn't exactly wag his tail, did he?

We all know that fitness is good for us. It just isn't much fun. Just ask anybody who squeezes into a leotard and spends the next hour sweating to the beat of a size-two instructor yelling, "Just 10 more leg raises and then we'll do abs!" No wonder reclining on the couch with Ben & Jerry's ice cream watching "Ally McBeal" sounds more appealing.

It's time to rethink exercise, says Susan Butterworth, M.D., director of wellness services at Oregon Health Sciences University. The "no pain, no gain" motto is out. Moderation is in. And it's time to ask yourself what's fun and what makes you smile. If you have trouble remembering, go to any park and watch children at play.

"Remember when we used to have fun as kids?" Butterworth asks. "Playing ball, swimming, just plain using our bodies." We weren't thinking about how many calories we just burned by running through the sprinkler. We were just having fun. And you can get that feeling back, she says.

How do we have fun?

We may not always agree with what others think is fun. Spinning Hula Hoops might not be your cup of tea, but an Irish dance class tickles your toes. Sky diving makes your heart beat just a bit too fast, but a row in the lake floats your boat.

If you want to put some fun into your fitness, try:

Play hopscotch with your kids

Make a new tradition

Today, your family tradition may be lifting a spoon rather than lifting weights. Try something different. Make new family traditions around fitness and fun. After all, says Butterworth, children model their behavior after us; a sedentary parent is likely to have a sedentary child. It stands to reason, then, that an active parent will have active children, though active children don't necessarily mean active parents.

Lead the way. Get out that old version of Twister. The kids may groan at first, but those moans will soon be replaced with laughter. Let's face it, the image of Dad as a giant pretzel is kind of funny!

Be happy

Moving your body feels good when you're having fun. You'll also find that if you're enjoying yourself, you'll have more energy and enthusiasm for other areas in your life.

Kristine Thomas, who is just beginning to get fit, says her biggest problem with getting in shape is that she's tired. However, if she can make it out the door, after a few minutes at her chosen sport of running, she's invigorated and feeling good about herself. It feels great to accomplish goals, too. Kristine is following a marathon-training regime. Though she may not actually run the marathon, just the thought that she'll soon be able to do so helps her feel good about herself.

Copyright 1999 by WebMD, Inc. All rights reserved.

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