Activate your inner child!

There once was a time when you would hop,skip and jump without a giving it a second thought. If you cast your mind back to when you were a youngster then being permanently active wasn't a conscious decision. You didn't walk when you could run and being made to sit still was a punishment. There was no gym dread or willpower needed. Instead, you were simply full of the joys of life and living and naturally active. If you've grown into a indolent adult or a slow moving grown-up then it might be time to activate your inner child!

Body

Think back to when you were much younger and the activities you used to do. From sports at schools, to hobbies, and after-school fun with friends, not to mention action-packed weekends as well, you probably made the most of moving around. Today's younger generation might be in danger of fixating more on their computer screens than their baseball diamonds, but the adults of 2013 were probably pretty active kids. If you've lost your activity mojo then here are some top tips to embrace your inner active child:

Fun factor!

When you were young you used to simply have fun for fun's sake. When you workout do you bring to your exercise sessions a childlike enjoyment of what you're doing? It's easy to see fitness as a chore if you take away the idea of getting involved in activity as a simple pleasure. Whether you are on the treadmill or taking part in a fitness session, inject some childlike happiness into what you're doing and you might find you view exercise in a totally different way.

Laughing games!

When you were young you used to run around playing active games that would make you laugh out loud. Do you spend time grimacing or acting very serious when you exercise now? Too many adults think that being a grown-up means not laughing or seeing the funny side of life in every moment. Don't over-compartmentalise your life. Working out might be tough, but learn to laugh at your failings and many mishaps that happen when you're on your fitness journey.

Variety is the spice of life!

When you were young you were constantly doing lots of different activities. Of course you might have had a favorite game and sport that you loved, but you would join in with group games with friends, even if it was just to be part of the group or for a dare. So why limit yourself you are all grown-up! Seeing exercise as a one-trick-pony is not the right approach and there's nothing to say you cannot add some interesting activities into the mix, along with your main cardio burn. Get up that climbing wall...we dare you!

Social status!

When you were young you didn't update your status on a social networking site but socialized with friends instead. Activities when you were a child were about engagement, interaction and creating special bonds. Being part of a positive fitness community and chatting with like-minded people who are also trying to be active and get fit are ways of improving and expressing your social status!

Life in the moment!

When you were young you didn't think about yesterday or tomorrow when you were busy playing a game or sport. You lived in the moment and fully connected with what you were doing. There is a real freedom in this and adults spend time meditating and increasing their body-mind awareness just to recreate what comes naturally to a child. Forget your anxieties when you exercise. Focus only on what you're doing and you'll find relaxation and a lighter feeling while you workout.

Up for a challenge!

When you were young, a challenge wasn't an insurmountable task but a test that allowed you to show your merit and really tackle a quest with gusto. If you see goal setting as an uphill struggle then you've lost that childhood can-do feeling and you'll find that your motivation to exercise soon starts to roll away from you too. Seize the day and the activity and run with it!

Find out which exercises work the body in the same way as games and sports did as a youngster. Bring back your enjoyment of leading a naturally active lifestyle and relish working out!