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

In The News:

---

The Science of Carbohydrate Loading

A valid connection between hypoglycemia, fatigue and premature termination of... Read More

Keep Exercise Journals For Real Results

Always make sure to keep a detailed training journal. By... Read More

Are You A One-Dimensional Trainer?

Most people are classically biased toward one of the three... Read More

Get a Health Screening Before You Start Training

So, you have decided to hire a personal trainer to... 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... Read More

Best Flat Tummy Exercises for Great Female Abs

Are there flat tummy exercises that are the best for... Read More

Fitness Focus: Overcoming Obstacles

If you're like me, the quest to be in shape,... Read More

Got A Cold - Should You Work Out?

A recent study sponsored by the American College of Sports... Read More

Struggling To Keep Your Workout Schedule? So am I!

Sometimes following a fitness program or workout schedule is not... Read More

How To Get Started With Exercise: The Magic Pill Of Your Weight Loss Program

In a previous article, I mentioned the weight loss mantra... Read More

Arthritis Exercise ? One Way to Relieve Pain & Stiffness in Your Joints (part 1)

Exercise can be very beneficial for arthritis sufferers, often relieving... Read More

Exercise Fun

Do you consider exercise fun? Everyone wants to be fit... Read More

Elements of Exercise

Warm upWarming up before exercising has physiological and psychological benefits.... Read More

Integrating Core Stabilization into Your Workouts

Stabilization is a hot topic in the fitness industry over... Read More

Warming Up Properly

In our 'Stretching' article series , we discussed why it's... Read More

Weight Loss, Bodybuilding, and Exercise Tips ? Keeping Your Body-fat Low; Part 1 of 10

Ever go to a party and wish you were the... Read More

Calf Cramps - How To Get More Gain For Less Pain!

I cannot imagine that there is anyone past the age... Read More

How To Gain An Avalanche Of Energy!

For many people out there trying to become more energised... Read More

Exercising In Heat

Summer is officially here. Finally you can pack away your... Read More

Lower Back Extension Exercise

This is an excellent exercise for the lower back that... Read More

A 30-minute, Or Less, Full Body Workout

Most people do not have the time to do biceps... Read More

Athletics and Winning

Athletics are pretty cut and dry in one regard; the... Read More

Lose Weight - Stay Fit and Stick With It!

Health and nutrition experts continually advise us that the more... Read More

Metabolism: How to Increase Your Metabolic Rate?

Metabolism is a process by which the body burns the... Read More

Use an Exercise Training Diary to Keep Your Workouts on Track

A road map is a very handy tool when you're... Read More

A Great Way To Spice Up Your Workouts -- Interval Training

There's been a lot of buzz recently about Interval Training.... Read More

The Degradation of Fitness Science

The world and our selves evolve and exist in a... Read More

Sports Specific Exercise

The Greek physician Galen (AD 129 ? 210) is generally... Read More

When Exercising Right Looks Wrong

For most of us we live in a black and... Read More

Invest in Your Health

What if a trusted friend were to tell you about... Read More

Recognize Your Motivation to Exercise

The positive effects of exercise have been documented and reported... Read More

STRETCHING; Why Should I?

This short article looks at some of the tips, tricks... Read More

The Many Benefits of Exercise

Health experts encourage us to include exercise as a necessary... Read More