One of the things I always tell people is you need to find a form of exercise that works for YOU. If it doesn’t make you happy, chances are you won’t stick with it. For some people, a treadmill at the gym is just the thing. Others prefer jogging outdoors. Still others need a different form of movement, like my client who discovered joy (and weight loss) in a dancing mat.

Whole Living recently published a great post on How to Find the Kind of Exercise that Suits You Best. Author Ellen Barrett compares finding your ideal workout to dating. Here’s her advice for pinpointing your perfect workout:

1. Go on “dates” to this yoga studio and that trapeze class. You don’t have to go back.

2. Do a post-mortem. After every date, sit down and write two lists: what you liked and disliked about that date. You may have liked the time slot (9am on a Saturday) and disliked the outfit (mouth guard, no thank you!).

In no time, you’ll pinpoint your perfect fit, and the two of you will live happily ever after

In addition to these tips, I’d add that you don’t have to stick to classes, either. Borrow DVD workouts from friends or the library, try exercising at the park if you usually work out inside, check out a local hiking club, or rent a bike or rollerblades for the day. What kind of movement did you enjoy as a child? (Hula hoop, perhaps?) Who says you can’t have that much fun now?!

Image: joaquinuy