The scientific way to make sense of sports

My urge to exercise disappears as soon as the temperature rises above 20 degrees. Sports make way for long evenings with bitterballen and wine on the terrace, and from that moment on, everything works against you (and against me). In the morning, sleeping an hour longer quickly takes precedence over a round on the cross trainer, and in the evening, that glass of wine obviously takes precedence over an hour of bootcamping. Not surprising, according to scientists.

Research from Yale shows that your desire to exercise fluctuates significantly throughout the day. So it's not that you are just the anti-sport person. It may well be that you have a huge urge to exercise around lunchtime, making it much easier to actually do it. It's a bit like your feeling of hunger: around four o'clock, you find it easier to snack.

So the chance is slim that you will see me engaging in any physical activity in the evening, apart from some walking. Motivating myself takes all the strength in the world, just imagine that I would actually have to do it. I already get tired just thinking about it. However, you can catch me engaging in physical activity from six in the morning until two in the afternoon. It seems as if my body cooperates more easily then. That’s true, say the scientists again.

Therefore, it’s a good idea to vary and experiment with the times you exercise. Yes, that means you indeed have to go to the gym at that dreadful time to discover that it’s not for you. But start with the times during the day when it feels just a bit less bad; there’s a good chance it will be easier for you. And voilà: the scientifically proven way to start exercising.

Psychology Magazine actually has a funny tip for motivation, which I find confronting yet entertaining. Hang a photo of a fit person in view, because scientific research also shows that you become motivated faster yourself. Kiki Düren, so you know: I’m going to stick a photo of you on the bathroom mirror, hoping that I’ll be able to stick to my routine every morning again. Because that’s something that is certain after some serious personal research: I prefer to lift weights in the morning.

One reassurance: fortunately, people who don’t like sports are often loved.

Source: Psychologie Magazine