Tips on How To Enjoy Fitness

August 29, 2018

Fitness is an important (and essential) thing. The American Heart Association recommends anywhere from 150 minutes of moderate exercise to 75 minutes of vigorous exercise per week. To break it down, aiming for 30 min of movement 5 days per week helps decrease the risk of heart disease and stroke and improve cardiovascular health.


For some people, this comes naturally. Waking up to sweat before work or winding down afterwards with a yoga class is something that becomes part of a person’s routine — but only if it’s something they enjoy.


For others, exercise can seem like a daunting chore that is impossible to start or even schedule in the day. For those people, it’s important to find ways to enjoy fitness so that they are able to maintain it and incorporate it into their lives.


If you’re in the second group, don’t lose hope. There are several tips and tricks that you can try to establish an exercise routine that you can stick to. Read on for some ways to enjoy fitness instead of dreading it.


Find something you enjoy

The actual activity you choose is crucial to you enjoying your workout. If you’re constantly forcing yourself to run when you hate running, you’re going to dread it and ultimately stop running at some point. Just because a certain class is all the rage doesn’t mean you’re going to like it. You need to find what works for you.


Try different types of workouts — running, yoga, swimming, cycling, high-intensity classes — and see what you get the most enjoyment from. If you’re doing a workout you actually enjoy, chances are you’ll look forward to it the next time.


Do it with friends

My friends and I are on an email chain where we share with each other what our workouts are for the week and where we will be. If we can meet up with each other, it’s always much more fun than working out alone. Communicating has gotten me excited to try new things and even to work out on Saturdays which were normally reserved for sleeping in.


Accountability is key when starting and maintaining a fitness routine. Having someone to go with you not only helps pass the time, but also helps ensure you make it there in the first place!


Reward yourself after hitting a goal

Set a goal for yourself. Maybe it’s to make it to just one class this week. Once you hit that goal, treat yourself to something like a manicure, new exercise apparel, or whatever makes you feel good about yourself. Once those early goals get easy to hit, try making them harder such as 3 or 4 classes a week or hitting certain strength or speed goals.


One word of caution is not to reward yourself with food. Food and exercise can be tricky when locked into a reward system and can actually reinforce negative thought patterns in some people. Also remember not to beat yourself up if you miss your goal. Simply acknowledge it and try again!


Find the right time for you

Some people are morning exercisers and some people prefer to sweat in the evening. Try both and figure out which one you are. Working out at the appropriate time for YOU means the difference between an exciting workout and one where you are dragging and tired.



Ultimately, it’s important to find something you enjoy or the likelihood that you’ll want to continue is slim. Start out by trying to exercise one to two days a week. The better you feel, the more likely you’ll want to keep up the things that make you feel that way!

If you’re looking for ideas or ways to mix things up, make sure to check out all our upcoming Reside Athletics events!!

Exploring Chicago Neighborhoods Through Local Shops and Community Culture

September 28, 2026
Chicago is a city best experienced on foot. Beyond the skyline and downtown core, each neighborhood has its personality. In places like Wicker Park, Logan Square, Bucktown, and nearby areas, that personality shows up through independent shops, creative boutiques, and locally run spaces that bring real character to everyday living. Wicker Park and Bucktown creative energy Wicker Park is one of the most recognized neighborhoods for independent retail in Chicago. It is known for its artistic energy, music history, and strong support of local businesses. Walking along Milwaukee Avenue and Damen Avenue, you will find curated fashion boutiques, vintage stores, and unique concept shops that reflect the area's creative identity. Local favorites include Una Mae’s , a long-running independent boutique known for its mix of vintage-inspired clothing, modern fashion, home goods, and gifts. Kokorokoko is another popular stop for vintage clothing and unique finds, while shops like Eskell highlight independent fashion and creative design. These stores represent the neighborhood’s mix of style, creativity, and individuality. Many of these shops focus on sustainability, handmade goods, and small-batch design. You will also find spaces that blend coffee culture with retail, where people gather, browse, and connect. This makes shopping feel more like a social experience than a transaction. Bucktown, which sits right next to Wicker Park, continues this creative atmosphere with galleries, independent home goods stores, and fashion boutiques that highlight local designers. Exploring areas around Damen Avenue and Milwaukee Avenue gives residents and visitors access to various small businesses that help define the neighborhood. If you want to understand how these neighborhoods fit into the broader city lifestyle, you can explore more here: Neighborhoods Guide
Three people sit on a red couch in a living room, looking at something offscreen.

How to Be a Rockstar Renter

September 8, 2026
Learn essential apartment maintenance and cleaning tips for renters, from everyday upkeep to reporting repairs and protecting your apartment.
Living room with blue sofa and search bar reading “Apartments to rent”

Is It Better to Rent From a Private Landlord or Property Management Company?

August 24, 2026
Finding the right apartment involves more than choosing a floor plan. Here are the differences between a private landlord and a property management company.
Pens on a contract with wooden tiles spelling “AGREEMENT”

Understanding Your Lease: Key Rental Terms Every Tenant Should Know Before Signing

August 24, 2026
Signing a lease is a big step in the rental process. Our guide breaks down the most important lease terms every renter should know before signing!
Aerial view of Chicago skyline along Lake Michigan with a sandy beach and curving lakeside road

A Local’s Guide to Entertaining Out-of-Town Guests in Chicago’s Most Popular Neighborhoods

June 24, 2026
Discover the best dining, shopping, recreation, and entertainment in Chicago's West Loop, Gold Coast, Lincoln Park, and Lakeview neighborhoods.

How to Forward Your Mail and Change Your Address Without the Stress

June 9, 2026
Moving to a new home comes with a mix of excitement and chaos. Between packing, scheduling movers, setting up utilities, and adjusting to a new neighborhood, changing your address can feel like just another stressful task on an already long list. Planning a move to Chicago? While forwarding your mail and updating your address are important steps, staying organized throughout the entire moving process can make your transition much easier. Check out our complete Chicago moving checklist for helpful packing tips, setting up utilities, budgeting for your move, updating important documents, and preparing for moving day with less stress and more confidence. Unfortunately, forgetting to update your address or forward your mail can lead to missed bills, lost packages, delayed documents, and unnecessary frustration. The good news is that forwarding your mail and updating your address is much easier when you handle it early and stay organized.
More Posts