It’s February again, and you know what that means? We’re deep into Valentine’s season. Although we’ve previously delved into the best workouts for couples, as well as workout routines that help couples’ strengthen their relationships and have fun, this year we wanted to take a different approach by focusing on the concept of self-love.
The mind/body connection is hardly a new concept in the realm of fitness — studies have proven that “higher levels” of physical activity are found in those exhibiting a healthier mindset. But few have delved deeper into how concepts of love and a healthy partnership can be applied to improve your workout mentality.
Have a think, you wouldn’t put up with a partner if you didn’t enjoy their company, so why should your workout plan be any different?
With the 14th of February around the corner, we wanted to ask: how can the principles of love and ‘love languages’ be applied to rekindle your fitness?
What are the 5 types of love languages?
Before diving into this dance, let’s do a 2 steps back and ask, what in the world are “love languages”? It was popularised by Gary Chapman in his book The 5 Love Languages. He proposed that people tend to express and receive love primarily in one of five unique ways:
- Words of affirmation — These individuals feel most loved when they are praised, inspired or complimented.
- Acts of service – Doing something for your partner that they would appreciate.
- Receiving gifts – People with this love language feel loved and appreciated when you give them thoughtful gifts.
- Quality time – This love language type is about spending ‘quality’ time with people in a meaningful way.
- Physical touch – This language is for those who feel loved and connected through physical affection.
Despite the name, love languages aren’t just about how we express love. They have to do with how people want to give and receive some kind of affection. Knowing your own love language, and the love language of others, can really make a difference in communication and relationships.
Sweat with Love: Unlock Your Fitness Potential Using Your Love Language
But what does this have to do with fitness? Well, fitness is ultimately an act of self-love and care. As we have reported previously, all forms of exercise both release ‘feel good’ endorphin chemicals, and serotonin (also contributing to sleep improvement).
But, like in any relationship, you have to “speak the right language” to really motivate yourself. Consequently, we’ve compiled our top keys for adapting these love language principles to your workout.
#1. Words of affirmation
Though self-affirmation is no replacement for the workout, a sunny attitude is indisputably a fuel for your motivation and focus. The way you talk to yourself—before, during, after —can set the tone for your mindset, strengthen your confidence, and instill a deeper sense of drive when it comes to achieving a new personal record.
To maximize the impact of this love language-type, first, be clear on your purpose. With everyone having their own purpose, whether it be losing weight, gaining muscle, or increasing endurance, having this information allows you to cater your self-affirmations to be more personalized to you.
Another good trick is to turn these affirmations around so that they are positive, present, and as if they are true.
Something like “I am hitting my PB ” instead of “I will hit my PB” can change everything. It may take time, but you also have to feel the truth of what you are saying in order for it to work.
#2. Quality time
Just like you do with your partner, quality workout time is all about separating parts of your week to focus purely on loving your workout. Minimize distractions, turn off the phone, sit in a quiet place and truly listen to your body as you work out.
Quality workout time also doesn’t have to mean working out solo. When you have a workout partner that motivates you to stay on track with your goals, everything is much more enjoyable and leads to more success.
Also, don’t forget to celebrate and enjoy every single milestone but also recognize progress and achievements no matter how minuscule. So, keep having those quality hours with yourself and/or others while on your journey to fitness.
#3. Receiving gifts
Using the “receiving gifts” love language type in relation to fitness goals sounds like it might not belong together, not at face value anyway, but treating yourself to something you like after a workout can do wonders for your motivation and prevent you from tipping into workout rut territory.
The trick here is personalisation; take a look at what would actually motivate you and make these rewards much more tangible and tied to concrete, reachable targets. This makes your fitness journey more pleasant.
That said, you should choose nutritious rewards that complement your fitness goals rather than undermine them. Think, like, spa days and self-care items and healthy treats or even just time away for fitness and relaxation.
#4. Acts of service
Those who flourish with acts of service as their love language may have a hard time transferring this principle to their workout journey too as once again, you must give these acts of service to yourself rather than someone else.
Our main piece of advice for maximizing this love language is to prioritize actions that encourage and create room for your goals over willpower. This will in turn go hand in hand with a principle such as words of affirmation. This might mean:
- Hiring a personal trainer
- Protein powders and supplements.
- Buying more aesthetically pleasing workout apparel
- Purchasing some kind of fitness tracker or else to track progress
- Regular group fitness class bookings
That said, smaller acts are just as powerful in propelling you towards your goals. Organising your workout clothes the night before, putting your workouts in your calendar like any appointment you’d never miss, prioritising sleep — these are all ways of serving your future self.
#5. Physical touch
And if your love language is physical touch, you’re in luck.
There are many creative ways of applying this principle effectively to your workout routine, most of which begin with an emphasis on the physical feelings your exercise generates. So what does this mean? Well, working on creating an increased awareness of your body while exercising.
This forces you to pay attention to the muscles and joints at work, the rhythm of your breath and the relationship of mind to body, making your workouts more engrossing and, therefore, more effective.
Equally important is discovering physical activities you truly care about, like dancing, swimming, hiking and/or yoga: having fun with movement is essential for those whose love language is physical touch.
Although this is a more traditional approach, there is nothing quite like sharing a high five or hug from a workout buddy after crushing your most recent milestone.
About the Author: FitNEWS
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