How to Motivate Your Family to Exercise

In the family, you might be the type that is able to exercise the most. You go to the gym, you stretch often, and you are always coming home in your activewear. However, your family members might be just a little bit different. Whether you’re a parent, sibling, or live with your parents, motivating others around you can seem like an impossible task! Not to worry, we have some tips that will help you get your family up and active.

Choose Activities They Like

A lot of the time, people who try to motivate others fail because they aren’t able to meet the other person’s wants and needs. Not everyone loves the gym environment, for example. Instead, go for something that is up to their speed, and in their interest field. Your kids might enjoy outdoor games, while your parents may enjoy a brisk walk. It all depends on the person, and you should use what you know about the person in order to offer something more enticing, and something they would feel more comfortable trying.

Bonding Activities

Certain exercises that involve teamwork and encouragement build a lot of memories and help connect you and your family members to the moment. Certain sports like tennis, where there is a competitive aspect, and potentially a teamwork aspect, builds a lot of bonds between people. As a result, it can become more of a routine. It can be weekly, or bi-weekly meet-ups where you are able to also spend valuable time together. That will make that action more valuable, and more desirable. If you want to bond with all of your family members, choose games where nearly everyone can play, such as bowling, that has entertainment value while you’re still getting some valuable exercise. It may be small, but it can go a long way.

If Hesitant or Apprehensive, Find Out Why

While our first suggestion could work for many, not all situations are the same. After multiple attempts, if you keep meeting pushback or excuses, you will have to meet your family member and come to their understanding. It could become a difficult conversation, but ultimately it is one that needs to be had, especially if their health is at risk. When you approach this conversation, do not come to them with accusations or complaints, be open towards any response. Simply ask them why they would not like to do a particular activity, and then dig deeper. After more discussion, move towards a compromise that they are comfortable with. If you find yourself still receiving pushback, don’t give up. If you are patient, but still active in your pursuit, they will eventually understand you are not coming to be judgemental, rather you are displaying the care you have for them.

Don’t Push Them, Praise Them for Efforts

Positive encouragement is effective toward building trust and fostering a genuine response. At first, you might be with a family member who doesn’t want to do the same amount of repetitions. Maybe they jog in a sluggish manner. They may even complain about their activity, calling it “A waste of time.” All of this is common, but not a problem. When your family member is successful, or completes an activity, praise them! You might feel the desire to give them rewards for their efforts. While this might seem like a good thought, it could be contradictory to their health needs, and could show that their efforts only determine a prize. If they don’t want or need that prize, then there’s no reason to exercise. Emotional motivation is much more effective, and will make your family member feel much happier and excited to exercise again.

Don’t stress too much if your family members become crabby about exercise. As long as your intentions are pure, and not selfish or demanding, you will be able to encourage them to do what they need. If you’re ever unsure of what they need, it never hurts to ask! There are numerous ways to exercise and stay active, so keep trying and finding what fits their needs best.

Image Credit/Copyright: Family Moments