07/27/2021
Exercise should never feel like a chore. Our bodies are made for movement! So moving them should feel good.
But unfortunately, we live in a world entrenched in diet culture and exercise has become a form of punishment. We move our bodies in order to change how we look and burn off what we ate and only certain forms of exercise are seen as “good enough” to get the desired (aka societal acceptable) results.
So let's ditch diet culture and exercise for the right reasons: to appreciate and care for our bodies, to feel good, and to marvel at what our bodies can do.
Here are some tips to help you get there:
💪🏼 Listen to your body - don't force yourself into exercise when your body tells you it needs rest. Give your body what it asks for.
💪🏼 Stop counting calories - if our exercise routine is all about burning off what we eat, it is impossible to listen to our bodies. Focus on how you feel, not the inaccurate number with he flame next to it on your apple watch.
💪🏼 Get outside - moving your body feels so much better when you are getting Vitamin D and fresh air. So give yourself a little change of scenery and go for a walk or run, take the yoga mat to the backyard, and bring those weights outside.
💪🏼 Focus on ability (not appearance) - because of diet culture, most of our exercise goals are rooted in changing how our bodies look. Let's change it up! Focus on ability based goals, for example, shave time off your mile, lift heavier weights, increase resistance, get more flexible/mobile, and decrease pain!
💪🏼 Do things you enjoy - find ways of moving your body that you actually LIKE! If you hate running, do something else! If you are suffering through every workout, it means it is probably time to change it up and do something else.
Not sure where to start? Why not try something new! Pilates is a great way to learn how to tune into your body and focus on how things feel as you move. Sign up for privates and group classes at the links in my bio!
__________