I know I should exercise but…

Psychology-backed ways to make it easier

Why do some people love exercise, while others would rather do literally anything else?

Experts don’t really know. Maybe it’s our genes. Perhaps it’s our microbiome. Either way, loving or hating exercise seems to be as random as whether or not you like Marmite.

Sadly, unlike eating Marmite, exercise is absolutely vital for good health. Meeting the government guidelines (at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week, plus strength training at least twice a week) will reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, stroke, dementia, many cancers, and the brilliantly broad “all-cause mortality”, as well as offsetting the symptoms of chronic conditions from Parkinson’s to depression.

The trouble is that most people sharing advice about how to enjoy exercise are naturally sporty types, who have become fitness instructors or personal trainers precisely because that’s how they like to spend their time.

Their advice tends to be a variation of “just do it,” which is about as useful as t…